Learn to swim

Learn to swim (Atherstone)

Atherstone Leisure Complex follow the Swim England ‘Learn to Swim’ framework for developing confident and competent swimmers through fun, enjoyment and the Learn to Swim Stages 1-7, which are at the heart of the Swim England 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 Swim England Learn to Swim framework has a clear set of targets for each child to meet, before they progress to the next stage.

The Swim England framework teaches a child to swim along with several other skills, which when put together, gives children the ability to do a range of other water-based sports.

You can pay for your lessons with a monthly direct debit or in 10 week blocks.

Discovery Ducklings, Stage 1 and Stage 2

Discovery Ducklings & Ducklings:

These Pre-School Framework Awards are perfect for babies and pre-school children who are new to swimming*.

Usually parents or carers will attend swimming lessons with their babies or young children and join them in the water. This helps to provide reassurance for the child and gives the parent or carer confidence in assisting their child in the water.

Stage 1: 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 armbands and floats, throughout this stage.

Stage 2: 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.

Learn to Swim Stages 3-5

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.

Stage 4: 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 Swim England Expected Standards.

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

Learn to Swim Stages 6-7

Stage 6: Swimmers 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.

Stage 7: 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.

They should successfully complete an obstacle course, which combines a variety of skills they have learnt from Stages 1 to 7.

Learn to Swim Stages 8-10

Swim England Aquatic Skills: Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Awards

Swim England Aquatic Skills Framework (Learn to Swim Stages 8-10) are about building sport specific skills to encourage focus on aquatic sports.

The Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Awards offered as part of the Swim England Aquatic Skills Framework can focus on anything from competitive swimming to rookie lifeguard, water polo, synchronised swimming and diving.

Rookie Lifeguard Awards:

Developed by the Royal Life Saving Society UK in partnership with Swim England, the Rookie Lifeguard Awards ensure children have a solid safety education, and have learned rescue and resuscitation techniques.

Each stage of the Rookie Lifeguard Awards is sub-divided into three levels and children can enter a course at any point during the stage and progress at their own speed.

The Rookie Lifeguard Awards programme also includes a Water Safety Award, a Life Support Award and Achievement Awards.