The learn to swim awards are divided into progressive stages (1-10). They make up the core, national syllabus of learning to swim for primary school aged children. they are designed to reward your child for their development of the essential aquatic skills they need to be confident, competent and safe in the water.
Once the swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in the water (stages 1-7) the swimmer may then have the choice to take part in Fundamental Sport Skills, (stages 8-10) in competitive swimming or lifesaving. We also offer Rookie Lifeguard Courses, Fit-n-Fun, Aquatic Helper Courses or Distance Badges.
Each of the Learn to Swim (stages 1-10) has a list of clear outcomes that need to be completed in order to gain each award.
My son really enjoyed his swimming lesson and is already looking forward to next week. He came away with bags of confidence and this has really been a positive experience for him.
Stage 1
Developing basic safety awareness, the ‘class’ scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. armbands, floats etc. By completing this Award, with or without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:
Stage 2
Developing safe entries to the water. To include jumping in, basic floating, travel and rotation this is done unaided to regain upright positions. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. armbands, floats etc. By completing this Award, with or without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:
Stage 3
Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. By completing this Award, without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:
*The four key water safety messages include:
1. Always swim in a safe place.
2. Always swim with an adult.
3. If you fall in, float, breathe, relax.
4. If someone else in trouble, call 999/112.
For more information on water safety, visit the RNLI website and take a look at our Water Safety and Survival Awards.
Stage 4
Developing the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes, and swimming 10 metres to a given standard as directed by the ASA. By completing this Award, without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:
Stage 5
Developing ‘watermanship’ through sculling and treading water skills, and complete rotation, also performing all strokes to the given standard as directed by the ASA. By completing this Award you will be able to:
Stage 6
Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing; developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise. By completing this Award you will be able to:
Stage 7
Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout stages 1 – 7. By completing this Award you will be able to:
Stages 8-10
Once the swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in the water, the swimmer may then have the choice to take part in Fundamental Sport Skills, Stages 8-10 in competitive swimming or lifesaving. We also offer Rookie Lifeguard Courses, Fit-n-Fun, Aquatic Helper Courses or Distance Badges.