Abyss Scuba School PADI Dive Centre

About

This is an independent alternative provider of education (IAP), which is part of the West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Dynamic Purchasing System for schools to access and commission services. To find out more about IAP, please follow the Local Offer guide at Independent Alternative Provision.

Important note for parents and carers:

This provider is only quality-checked by WSCC for services that are commissioned and paid for by schools and colleges. They are not checked by WSCC for services offered directly to parents. Including them on the Local Offer website does not mean that they are a recommended service for parents to pay for.

If you choose to contact any organisation looking to buy services, we recommend you make your own checks. Your checks should include being happy that: the service will meet your needs; staff are properly qualified; policies are in place to keep everyone safe and you know how much the service will cost.

Use this guidance for advice about what to ask to help you make sure that children and young people are happy and protected in clubs, groups and activities. Find out more on our terms and disclaimer.

What we do

• Whilst the dive centre is wheelchair accessible, the pool is not currently accessible to those unable to ascend stairs unaided. Our on-site heated pool, complete with a viewing window, provides the perfect environment for safe and supported training, while allowing parents and schools to observe progress. We deliver a range of PADI programmes, from the Seal Team for children aged 8+ through to adapted Open Water Diver courses. Alongside diving, students take part in sessions designed to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork. Marine conservation is a core part of our curriculum, with opportunities for beach cleans, coastal exploration, and practical workshops with partners such as the Sussex Dolphin Project. We also provide calm spaces and small group support to help students with self-regulation, as well as personalised action plans developed in collaboration with schools, parents, and agencies.
• Our facilities include a fully heated indoor pool, classrooms for theory and creative sessions, a retail diving shop, and secure kit storage, all located on one site. The pool is tested daily and maintained to the highest standards, while our open water training takes place only at fully risk-assessed sites. With a bright, welcoming learning environment and an accessible marina location with parking, we make attending both practical and enjoyable.
• Students who attend gain more than just dive skills. They develop confidence, resilience, and improved emotional regulation, alongside stronger relationships with both peers and adults. Engagement with learning improves, and many achieve recognised PADI qualifications that build self-esteem and open future opportunities.
• For secondary level students, we work closely with schools to provide recognition for their non-diving achievements through the AQA scheme. This promotes a positive relationship with progress and attainment that can be matched in their 'everyday' educational environment. The young people have a tangible record of their successes, helping to motivate them, and see the value in engaging with education
• Abyss Scuba School shows children and young people pathways to a career in the marine environment. We provide them with the knowledge and understanding they will need to pursue opportunities in the diving industry, marine biology, marine conservation, commercial diving and many more. Ultimately, placements at Abyss help students transition positively back into school, alternative settings, or further training.

Age range

8-upwards

Wheelchair accessible

Yes

Requires referral

Yes

Requires application

Yes

Our users say

One of our autistic young people fed-back that they: love the peace and connection underwater, love swimming, learning and playing games, loves the noise bubbles make from the regulator and the sound of the water. Their parent/carer fed-back: Felt they had built strength and endurance, reduced anxiety and boosted self-confidence, increased attention and listening skills, built new friendships, increased coordination, improved focus, improved ability to listen to and follow instructions, and had improved teamworking skills.