Swim school which caters for all wins top award

Jo Whiteman (left) has been a swim teacher since 1989

A swimming club in Leicestershire that caters for all abilities has won a national award.

SwimwithJo, run by Jo Whiteman, offers lessons at numerous pools across the county and was named Swim School of the Year by governing body Swim England.

Ms Whiteman said: "I think that we stand out from the rest of the swim schools because we are so inclusive - we just don't turn anybody away."

The awards were given during a ceremony at Birmingham University's Great Hall on Saturday.

The club was one of 250 swim schools to apply for the award and made it into the final three that went to the ceremony.

"We waited and we found out there and then that we'd won the award," Ms Whiteman added.

"It was really, really magnificent.

"All our team, all our members of staff helped us achieve this award."

Ms Whiteman said she bends over backwards and moves classes around to give as many people as possible the chance to learn how to swim swim.

"One day it could save your life," she said.

"We teach through fun and play.

"If you're enjoying something, you don't realise you're learning and then it becomes easier and easier."