Swimming at Lancing
Swimming is an integral part of sport at Lancing College, providing every pupil with the opportunity to develop confidence, competence, and technical excellence in the water, while identifying and nurturing those with the potential to perform at the highest level.
All Third Form pupils take part in a swimming assessment as part of the Monday Carousel programme (4.00–5.00pm) during their first year at Lancing. These assessments enable our coaching staff to evaluate each pupil’s ability, support their development within the curriculum, and identify talented swimmers who may benefit from joining the Lancing College Swimming Club.
Swimmers at Lancing College have consistently achieved success at the National Bath Cup, Sussex Cup and other school competitions in the South. In 2018 the Lancing College Swimming Club was launched, a Swim England Affiliated Club which aims to encourage our swimmers to reach their full potential, both in swimming and in life.
The College Swimming Pool is a 25 metre, four-lane facility suitable for all levels and standards, with anti-wave lane ropes and starting blocks. Recent refurbishments include a new roof, windows and new changing rooms.
OUR VISION
To deliver an inclusive, ambitious and high-quality multi-pathway swimming programme that nurtures elite performance while ensuring every student develops confidence, competence and a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.
Swimming Programme
Our swimming programme focuses on the progressive development of technique, efficiency, endurance, and race skills across all four competitive strokes, alongside essential water safety and aquatic fitness. Swimmers demonstrating commitment and potential can progress into the Lancing College Swimming Club, where they receive expert coaching within a structured performance pathway designed to support development from county level through to regional and national competition.
The College has a proud tradition of competitive swimming, with our school teams representing Lancing at a range of local and regional galas throughout the year. We are regular competitors in the Schools’ Super Swimming League (SSSL), the prestigious Bath Cup, and other invitational and county competitions, providing swimmers with the opportunity to compete against some of the strongest school programmes in the country.
Talent identification is embedded throughout the programme, ensuring that promising swimmers are recognised early and given every opportunity to fulfil their potential, whether representing the College or progressing within the Lancing College Swimming Club.
Facilities
Refurbishment, with significant cosmetic and structural improvements throughout the facility. These enhancements include a remodelled changing room layout, an improved spectator area, and a number of other exciting upgrades designed to enhance the experience for swimmers and spectators alike.
The facility features a 25m four-lane pool equipped with backstroke start flags, competitive starting blocks, and anti-wave lane ropes, creating an excellent environment for both recreational and competitive swimming.
Lancing College Swimming Club
Here at Lancing College SC, a Swim England Affiliated Club, we aim to encourage swimmers to reach their full potential, both in swimming and in life. Through the of development of good habits early on, time management, professionalism and ‘going the extra mile’ are all established, setting swimmers in good stead for their swimming career, their studies and beyond.
Lancing College Swimming Club was formed in September 2018 by former international GB swimmer Charlotte Malik née Woolliscroft. The Club is aimed at both Lancing College pupils and non-pupils, and has since gone from strength to strength in the development of county, regional and national swimmers.
Swimming Club Entry and Assessment
Whether you’re taking your next steps in competitive swimming or looking to develop your skills in a supportive and ambitious environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Lancing College Swimming Club welcomes swimmers from both the College and the wider community, with squads designed to support a range of ages, abilities and aspirations.
To enquire about joining, please contact bmalik@lancing.org.uk. We may invite prospective swimmers to attend a training session, allowing our coaching team to understand their current ability, goals and enthusiasm for the sport. Following this, we’ll recommend the most appropriate squad and explain the next steps for membership.
At LCSC, we value attitude just as highly as ability. We are committed to helping swimmers develop confidence, technique and a lifelong love of swimming, whether their ambition is personal improvement or competitive success.
*Please note that availability is currently limited for swimmers aged 13+ who do not meet the Junior Elite or JETs squad criteria. However, we welcome enquiries from swimmers of all standards.*
Sports Scholarships are available for Lancing College pupils. For further information, please contact admissions@lancing.org.uk.
Coaching and Support Team
Swimming at Lancing is led by an experienced coaching team with expertise ranging from learn-to-swim through to national and international competition. Our programme supports swimmers of all abilities, helping pupils build confidence, refine technique and develop a lifelong enjoyment of the sport.
Led by former British champion and international swimmer Charlotte Malik, coaching combines modern sports science with proven training methods to help every swimmer reach their potential. Supported by an experienced team of coaches and strength and conditioning specialists, pupils benefit from expert guidance in an environment that promotes participation, progression and performance.
The Coaching Team
Charlotte Malik
Head Swimming Coach
Charlotte brings a depth of experience to her coaching, shaped by a successful career in elite swimming and a strong understanding of performance. She is a multiple-time British champion, represented Great Britain at European and World Championships in open water swimming, and attended the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as an ambassador for British Swimming.
Her coaching philosophy is grounded in a holistic approach: placing the individual at the centre, with a clear belief that supporting the person comes before developing the athlete. She combines technical expertise with an understanding of the physical and psychological demands of the sport, creating an environment where swimmers feel supported, challenged, and motivated to improve.
Charlotte is passionate about helping young people realise their potential, whatever their starting point. She focuses on building confidence, resilience, and a genuine love for the sport, while guiding swimmers towards their personal goals—whether that is learning to swim, competing at a high level, or simply enjoying being in the water.
Benjamin Malik
Swimming Pool Manager
Ben has been involved in the Sports and Leisure industry since 2010, first as a lifeguard and then moving onto gym instructing and personal training in 2011. He has developed a love of swimming alongside this, and is most passionate about his swimming teaching, which he takes great pride in.
Ben has grown up around sport. As an avid basketball player from an early age he embodied the same sporting philosophy as we do here at LCSC, and for that reason we are very excited to have him head up our land-based exercise programme.
Ben will combine his vast fitness expertise and channel it into a swimming-specific programme to enhance the strength and conditioning of LCSC swimmers.
Ben is also swimming co-ordinator for our community swims and learn-to-swim initiative.
Karen Woolliscroft
Head of Swimming
Karen is passionate about swimming and has been involved as a County swimmer, master swimmer, swimmer/coach and for the last 14 years been Assistant Head Coach of Shiverers and also Lancing College Swimming Coach. She is experienced in coaching ALL standards from early Fundamentals through to International elite and firmly believes you can achieve whatever you want to achieve!
Whilst at Shiverers Karen formed a strong coaching partnership with Ian Newell whose coaching philosophy helped swimmers win over 70 British Championships and numerous successes at international level. Karen has attended many National, British Championships, British trials and World Championships and was recently selected onto the National Coach Development Programme under the guidance of Amanda Booth, who was part of the coaching team for the recent Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Karen has coached swimmers who have won British Championships, Nationals and have been selected onto England Talent programmes. She welcomes the chance to apply her philosophy and sports science approach to both the Lancing College swimming club and pupil only sessions, whilst continuing to inspire a growing junior development group of aspiring prep school talent.
Our Aims
- Deliver a clearly structured multi-pathway swimming framework:
Curriculum → Participation → Club → Performance. - Ensure all pupils achieve water safety competence and stroke proficiency appropriate to their age and stage.
- Identify and support talented swimmers through individualised training programmes and competition pathways.
- Provide regular inter-school fixtures and competitive opportunities.
- Integrate strength and conditioning principles into performance swimmer development.
- Increase participation across co-curricular swimming activities year on year.
Gym
Our on-site gym supports swimmers in developing strength, conditioning, and injury resilience. Sessions are tailored to complement time in the water, helping athletes build the physical foundations needed for efficient, powerful swimming.
Super-Curriculum
As part of the Sixth Form Super-Curricular Programme, we offer students the opportunity, at selected points throughout the year, to gain qualifications and practical experience in either the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) or Swim England Level 1 and Level 2 Teaching Qualifications.
These vocational qualifications provide valuable leadership skills, hands-on experience, and opportunities for paid employment during a pupil’s time at the College, whilst also helping to prepare them for life beyond Lancing.
Swimming Timetable
