Baby and Toddler Teachers
AJ
Weekend Manager, Head Teacher, P&C Coordinator, Coach, Lifeguard, Aquanatal & Aquafit Instructor
AJ learnt to swim at Shirley Swimming Pool from a young age and went on to become a competitive swimmer for Southampton Dolphins, soon reaching the national level. Shortly after leaving Southampton Dolphins AJ realised how much she missed the pool and Dave offered to train her up as an assistant swimming teacher at the age of 14, giving her shifts on Saturday mornings.
By the time she was eighteen AJ was a fully qualified Level Two teacher and began full time employment at Shirley Pool. Since then AJ has become an aqua fit instructor and a mum of twins. In November 2017 AJ qualified as an ASA Parent & Child Teacher.
Barbara
Certificate Teacher, P&C Teacher, Aquafit Instructor & Lifeguard
“Babs” joined the pool, first as a lifeguard, then receptionist and now a trained swimming teacher and Parent & baby swim teacher. Educated at St.Annes, Babs is a natural with children of all ages and a firm favourite in our Beginners. She leads popular Aquafit classes twice a week.
” I love working here, the other teachers are so nice to me, I hope I can work here forever”
We hope so too Babs!
An trained Parent & Child teacher and experienced ASA Level 2 Instructor, Philomena is to be seen in both pools teaching at all levels.
Teachers
Isabella
Level 2 teacher and Saints Swim Club coach
Izzy has been at Shirley Swimming Pool for many years, coming through our learn to swim programme, and continuing on to become regional and national level champion competitive swimmer.
Between studying full time at college and an exhausting swim training programme, Izzy can still be found poolside on Saturday mornings, training her next champion swimmers!
Ruby
L2 Swimming Instructor, P&C Instructor, Leisure Assistant & Lifeguard
Ruby started working at Shirley Swimming Pool in June 2022.
Since then she has qualified as a Swimming Instructor and a Parent & Baby Instructor.
Ruby comes from a background of being in water having been a competitive National Syconised swimmer. You will find Ruby working in Reception as she’s also a qualified Lifeguard.
Ruby is a much-loved instructor with the kids and hopes to start teaching Synconised swimming lessons soon…
Issy
L2 Swimming Instructor
Issy and her sister Evie both recently joined our team. They came with the qualification of ASA Swimming Assistant having worked in another leisure pool.
They both used to swim in our Dolphins Club as competitive swimmers and are now getting their Swimming Instructor qualifications through us for STA Level 2 Instructor so you’ll soon see them covering classes.
Evie
L2 Swimming Instructor, Leisure Assistant & Emergency Pool Responder
Evie and her sister Issy both recently joined our team. They came with the qualification of ASA Swimming Assistant having worked in another leisure pool.
They both used to swim in our Dolphins Club as competitive swimmers and are now getting their Swimming Instructor qualifications through us for STA Level 2 Instructor so you’ll soon see them covering classes.
Natasha
L2 Swimming Instructor
Natasha join the team early 2023, foloowing in her sister Isabellas footsteps. She achieved her STA Level 2 Swim Instructor qualification here at Shirley Pool
Natasha is currently studying English and Psychology and working at the pool part-time. She was one of our Competitive swimmers in the Dolphins Swim Club and has been swimming since the age of 6 months. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga and spending time with her family & friends
Robbie
Level 2 Award Swimming Instructor & Lifeguard
Robbie joined the team this Summer having newly qualified as a NPLQ Lifeguard.
Robbie has a strong background in swimming having learned at Shirley Swimming Pool and moving up through the levels to Saints Swim Club.
Robbie is also training to become a Swimming Assistant so you’ll also find him in the pool some weekday afternoons.
Leisure Assistants
Big Red Bus Cafe
Luke Perry
Managing Director
Luke Perry has worked, on and off since 2002. Starting as a Saturday boy, Luke soon learnt the teaching methods and philosophies of the swim school and became qualified as an ASA Teacher.
He went on to gain Beach Lifeguard and Surf Instructor qualifications while studying & working in Cornwall. Luke used his experience as a part-time chef to help launch the BIG RED Bus Cafe in 2014.
Luke became the Managing Director of Shirley Pool in 2020.
Kerry
Pool Manager / Level 2 Instructor
Kerry joined Shirley Pool in 2017 having relocated to Southampton following a 16-year Management career for ODEON Cinemas.
Diving straight into her role as Receptionist, Kerry quickly picked up the systems and became Front of House Manager in January 2018.
Since then she has continued to show her dedication and commitment to Shirley Pool and is now our Pool Manager, running the day-to-day operation of the Pool.
Earlier this year Kerry qualified as a Level 2 Instructor and will be seen in the pool covering small pool classes and running Crash Courses
Gina Negus
Company Secretary
Gina joined Shirley Pool in 2019 as Receptionist.
A mother of two, Gina brings her parenting experience and enthusiasm to the baby teaching classes.
Although acting as companies secretary, Gina will often be seen in the small pool after completing the STA Parent & Baby qualification.
West End Swim School Directors
Dave Perry
Dave Perry started working at the Shirley Pool in the summer of 1974, helping his Dad barrow the earth for the pool foundations as a schoolboy and returned full time in 1993 to run the business. Qualifying as a swimming teacher in 1981 and then as an ASA Tutor he has many years experience in the water and is the driving force behind the current teaching philosophy.
“We have been gifted with lovely teachers over the years, who really enjoy teaching children to swim. We have taken American and Australian influences and the best teaching practices we can find here to build the plan, but it’s always evolving. Consistency of teachers is vital and if you look at the other teachers on this page there are some common themes: they are all very proud of their work, love teaching swimming . My Dad, Frank, designed the perfect teaching pools and I am proud to have built the business up from that foundation with the help of a great team ”
Although officially retired, David can often be seen as an extra in the water, helping develop the younger teachers. A qualified STA Tutor, David leads the pool’s teacher training courses.
Viv Perry
Although Viv does not have regular toddler or baby classes, she will often be seen at the pool, stepping in to take an early morning class when a teacher can’t make it. It’s not just that she lives close to the pool though, Viv is also the longest serving baby teacher having started at Shirley in1990.
In those days, when the oldest boy, Callum, was at playgroup, Luke (2) would be sat on poolside with the playdough while Mum taught. Later, Jack, the youngest boy, would be juggled on an arm while Viv helped on reception. Throughout the development of the pool and building the business, Viv was ever present.