LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAMME

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Our Learn to Swim Framework is about developing confident and competent swimmers through fun and enjoyment, and Learn to Swim Stages 1-7 are at the heart of our Learn to Swim Programme.

It is the most widely known part of swimming lessons for children and is the backbone of swimming lessons for primary school aged children.

Each of the seven stages of the Learn to Swim Framework has a clear set of targets for the pupil to meet so they can get to the next stage.

This part of the Programme not only teaches a child to swim using the four strokes. It also gives them a number of other skills, which when put together, give children the ability to do a range of other water-based sports.

The Learn to Swim Framework gives children confidence in their ability to swim. From this comes more enjoyment of swimming, a love for swimming and being in the water and the skills and motivation required to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through regular swimming through to their adult life.

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Learn to Swim Framework

Developing basic safety awareness, the 'class' scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Swimmers may use floatation equipment, e.g. arm bands, floats, etc.

Learn to Swim Stage 1

Learn to Swim Stage 1 helps to build water confidence, while introducing water safety skills and the basic skills needed to build swimming ability.

Learners will develop basic safety awareness, learn basic movement skills and water confidence skills.

They will also be introduced to a structured class setting. Swimmers may use flotation equipment, such as arm bands and floats, throughout this stage.

The early stages are really important for developing the building blocks for future technique and the skills that are learnt should be fun and enjoyable.

During Learn to Swim Stage 1, children will be encouraged to move around the pool and become confident with water on their face.

Developing safe entries into the water, including jumping in, basic floating, rotation to regain an upright position without support. Travel must be without flotation equipment

Learn to Swim Stage 2

Learn to Swim Stage 2 sees swimmers develop streamlining to their strokes and travel without their feet on the floor, using a recognised leg kick.

Swimmers are also introduced to aquatic breathing and taught to make safe entries into the water, including jumping.

They will develop basic floating and learn how to rotate to regain an upright position without support. All travel must be achieved without the use of flotation equipment, though buoyancy aids may be used when swimmers aren’t travelling.

Stage 2 further develops water confidence and teaches swimmers to breathe confidently while in the water.

Being confident with the face in the water, or having water on the face, is crucial to stroke development. Learning to be happy in the water at an early stage will allow swimmers to develop other skills more quickly later on.

This stage also introduces various safety skills, such as being able to float, while also developing a swimmer’s kicking ability, leading to independent travel in water.

Developing safe entries into the water, including submersion, travelling up to 10 metres on the front and back, progressing rotation skills and water safety knowledge.

Learn to Swim Stage 3

During Learn to Swim Stage 3, swimmers will develop their kicks, on both their front and their back.

They streamline through push and glides, whilst also swimming underwater.

Swimmers will develop safe entries into the water, including submersion, and travel up to 10 metres on their front and back. Water safety knowledge and rotation skills will also be progressed.

One of the fun areas of this stage is learning to go under the water to pick up an object.

This helps develop skills for a number of different disciplines, including synchro, diving and competitive swimming.

Developing the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes, and swimming 10 metres to the expected standards.

Learn to Swim Stage 4

Learn to Swim Stage 4 sees swimmers perfect their leg kicks for all four strokes and further develop push and glides, while also being introduced to sculling.

They will develop an understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills and should swim 10 metres to the expected standards.

Developing technique through sculling and treading water skills, completing rotation and also performing all strokes to the expected standards.

Learn to Swim Stage 5

During Learn to Swim Stage 5, swimmers will develop their skills in treading water, learn the correct arm pulls for all four strokes and learn how to do handstands and somersaults.

This means they will develop their technique and perform all strokes to the expected standards.

The emphasis is on ensuring all work done in the previous stages is developed further.

A key activity in Learn to Swim Stage 5 is sculling, which is an important skill to master as it is not only prevalent in artistic swimming, but is also vital to ensuring water safety.

Learning to tread water is an important area of development and again is a crucial lifesaving skill.

Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing, understanding of water safety and preparation for exercise.

Learn to Swim Stage 6

Learn to Swim Stage 6 teaches swimmers how to prepare for exercise, while developing an efficient technique for all four strokes and further developing surface dives.

The effective swimming skills taught include coordination, breathing and an understanding of water safety.

Within this stage, swimmers will work on all the other strokes, including streamlining, improving their technique with both their arms and their legs.

Swimmers will also learn to swim in clothes and understand how to be safe when they’re in and around water.

Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combing them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills learned throughout Stages 1-7.

Learn to Swim Stage 7

Learn to Swim Stage 7 focuses on fully developing all four swimming strokes, as well as building stamina and improving diving skills.

Swimmers should develop a quality stroke technique for up to 100 metres, incorporating the skills they have learnt throughout the stages and combining them to develop a linked routine.

Swimmers will have developed a range of skills in previous stages and these are now brought into a sequence.

By the end of this stage, swimmers will be able to swim 25 metres of all four strokes to expected standards. Swimmers will also be able to complete a continuous swim of 100 metres using three of these different strokes.