Children's Lessons
Our children's award system & teaching methodology provides progressive, individual-focused and fun swimming lessons for our students
Overview
The Swimway children’s award system is built with a 10 level structure. With roots in the ASA and STA systems, we have further developed the programme into our own unique approach to work more consistently with our teaching methodology.
Private and semi-private lessons only. No floats except for kickboards. All our instructors teaching from within the water. Our distinctive technique can be seen as well as felt in the lessons themselves. Our awards system is more focussed and specific than the majority of other swim schools, which suits our small, personal lessons.
We guarantee only the highest standard of lessons, with emphasis on several important key elements:
Technique Focussed
Private or Semi-Private Classes
Repetition, Review and Routine
Teacher Professionalism
Quality Teaching Programme
Continuous Learning
Measureable Progression
Fun Through Learning
Strong Communication
Structured Lessons
Beginner 1
(A nervous child, unhappy to be in the water)
At this level, we focus on water safety and confidence to ensure the child is safe and happy in the environment.
Beginner 2
(A confident child, willing to take part)
Skills to Develop:
- Kicking front/back – hands on, controlled with assistance
- Blow bubbles at the water surface
- Wet the head without submersion
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- Bubble Award 1 (Blow bubbles on the surface of the water)
- Enter and exit with/without assistance
Stage 1
Skills to Develop:
- Buoyancy – flotation front and back
- Regain upright position from front and back
- Blowing bubbles mouth & nose
- Breath control
- Kicking front/back – hands on, controlled with assistance
- Submerge eyes open/closed
- Jumping in from the side
- Pick up objects from bottom
- Water safety tips
- Water confidence – walking, hopping, jumping
- Submerge completely & blow bubbles under the water
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- Bubble Award 2 (Submerge completely & blow bubbles under the water)
- Flotation 5 seconds front
- Flotation 5 seconds back
Stage 2
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 1 skills
- Breath control
- Rotation – front to back and back to front
- Push & glide, front and back – unassisted
- Backstroke arms introduction
- Breaststroke arms introduction – no legs
- Water safety tips
- Kicking unassisted with correct leg action
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- Flotation 10 seconds (front)
- Flotation 15 seconds (back)
- Travel 5 metres on front (kicking only no assistance, breath control, correct body posture, leg action and lift head to breath once then continue)
- Travel 5 metres on back (kicking only no assistance, correct body posture and leg action)
Stage 3
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 2 skills
- Backstroke arms
- Breast stroke arms (diving down for objects)
- Rotation (body roll) – front-back & back-front
- Front crawl arms
- Introduction to lateral or bi-lateral breathing
- Water safety tips
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- Travel 10 metres front (arms extended/rocket position/correct leg action)
- Travel 15 metres on back (kicking only, body posture – no float)
- Full Backstroke 10 metres (complete body posture, arm & leg action)
- Front crawl arms – 5 metres (Lateral or bi-lateral breathing)
Stage 4
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 3 skills
- Lateral/bi-lateral breathing – front crawl
- Introduction butterfly kick only (undulation)
- Sculling front/back
- Develop breaststroke arms and introduce legs
- Water safety tips
- Introduction to race diving
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- Travel 25 metres backstroke (complete body posture, arm & leg action)
- Front crawl 15 metres (lateral or bi-lateral breathing)
- 5 metres breaststroke (no timing required)
Stage 5
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 4 skills
- Tread water for 30 seconds
- Bilateral breathing – front crawl
- Race diving
- Continue to develop fly kick (undulation )
- Introduction to breaststroke timing
- Water safety tips
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- 10 metres breaststroke (no timing required)
- 50 metres backstroke
- 25 metres front crawl (bi-lateral breathing)
Stage 6
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 5 skills
- Introduction to butterfly (arms/legs)
- Breaststroke leg kick & timing
- Introduction to all turns
- Racing dive
- Tumble turn
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- 100 metres backstroke
- 50 metres front crawl
- 25 metres breaststroke with good timing
Stage 7
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 6 skills
- Full butterfly (full timing not required)
- Introduction to all turns
- Swimming terminology (e.g. I.M.)
- Safe dives
- Water safety tips
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- 200 metres backstroke1
- 100 metres front crawl
- 100 metres breaststroke
- 10 metres butterfly (no timing required)
Stage 8
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 7 skills
- Butterfly timing
- Racing turns
- Racing dive
- Personal best goals & times
- Water safety tips
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- 400 metres backstroke
- 200 metres front crawl
- 200 metres breaststroke
- 25 metres butterfly
Stage 9
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 8 skills
- Personal best times & goals
- Full I.M. turns & starts
- Review all stokes
- Body posture
- Starts & turns – all strokes
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- 100 metres I.M.
- 400 metres front crawl
- 400 metres breaststroke
- 50 metres butterfly
Stage 10
Skills to Develop:
- Review stage 9 skills
- Personal best times & goals
- Body posture
- I.M. turns
- Starts & turns – all strokes
Pass Criteria/Badges:
- 200 metres I.M.
- 800 metres front crawl
- Race dive & turns
- Swimming squad
