Junior Swimming Lessons 5 - 14 years

Stage 1 is the first Stage in the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework and for a lot of children this will be their first formal swimming lesson. The pre-requisite is for children to be aged 5 or over. Just as in all sports children will be introduced to the basic Fundamental Movement Skills to develop water confidence. The emphasis at this stage is all about having fun in the water and this will be taught using a games-based approach to teaching. Children will be introduced to a variety of swimming aids to aid floatation and/or encourage skills to be learned.

Outcomes

By the end of this stage participants will, with or without aids, equipment or support be able to:

• Enter and exit the water safely
• Move forwards, backwards and sideways for a distance of 5m
• Scoop the water and wash face
• Be at ease with water showered from overhead
• Move into a stretched floating position using aids, equipment or support
• Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing
• Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing
• Regain an upright position from the front, with support
• Push and glide in a flat position on the front and back from a wall
• Take part in a teacher-led partner orientated game
• Give examples of two pool rules

​In Stage 2 children should now be confident in water but will most likely still be unable to swim unaided. Building on the Fundamental Movement Skills learned in Stage 1 children will develop Core Aquatic Skills needed for swimming, such as: jumping in, basic floatation, submersion, travel and unaided rotation to regain standing. The emphasis at this stage is still about having fun in the water but also about developing skills required to swim the strokes correctly. Children will use a variety of swimming aids but by the end of the stage they won’t require floatation aids.

Outcomes

By the end of this stage participants will, without aids, equipment or support be able to:

• Jump in from poolside safely (min depth 1 metre)
• Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged
• Regain an upright standing position from a front and back floating position without support
• Push off from wall and glide on the front and back
• Travel on the front and back using a recognised swim stroke for 5m with feet off the floor
• Perform a tuck rotation from a flat floating position on the front and back to regain an upright position
• Perform a log roll from front to back and back to front
• Exit the water without support

Children in Stage 3 will have all the skills required in preparation to learn the four swimming strokes. They will be able to jump in and submerge, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and have water safety knowledge. The emphasis at this stage is on the correct body position and the development of the leg kick.

Outcomes

By the end of this stage participants will, without aids, equipment or support be able to:
Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 1 metre)

• Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position
• Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto back
• Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto front
• Travel 5m on front, tuck to rotate on to the back and return on the back
• Fully submerge to pick up an object
• Answer three questions correctly on the Water Safety Code
   
• Push, glide and travel 10m on the front and back
• Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds
• Exit the water without using steps

Children in Stage 4 are developing their understanding of buoyancy (body position) through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 10 meters to a given standard as directed by the Swim England. The emphasis is on developing the correct kicking action of all four strokes and developing the correct arm actions.

Outcomes

By the end of this stage participants will, without aids, equipment or support be able to:
 

• Demonstrate an understanding of floating
• Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
• Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating at the surface
• Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor
• Kick 10m backstroke & kick 10m frontcrawl (one item of equipment optional)
• Kick 10m butterfly on the front or back
• Kick 10m breaststroke on the front and back (equipment optional)
• Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5m in a horizontal position
• Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement onto front
• Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement onto back
• Push, glide and swim 10m, choice of swim stroke is optional

​In Stage 5 children develop watermanship through sculling and treading water skills, complete rotation and also performing all strokes over 10m to the given standard as directed by the Swim England. The emphasis is on the correct arm action and swimming the four strokes correctly over a short distance.

Outcomes

By the end of this stage participants will, without aids, equipment or support be able to:

• Perform a flat stationary scull on the back
• Perform a feet first sculling action for 5m whilst horizontal on the back
• Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water
• Push, glide and swim 10m frontcrawl, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke
• Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds
• Perform a forward somersault
• Demonstrate an action to get help

Children will be developing quality stroke technique of up to 50 metres, with correct body position, arm and leg action, breathing and timing. Incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and successfully complete an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout stages 1-7. The emphasis is on correct stroke technique on all four strokes over 25m to the given standard as directed by the Swim England.

Outcomes

By the end of this stage participants will, without aids, equipment or support be able to:

Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it's important

•Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke and frontcrawl

•Swim for 10m wearing clothes

•Push, glide and swim frontcrawl and breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths

•Push, glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths

•Push, glide and swim backstroke to include at least six regular breaths

•Push, glide and swim 25m, choice of stroke is optional

•Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue

•Perform a surface dive

•Exit the water without using the steps

• Push, glide and swim 25m frontcrawl, butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke

• Perform a movement sequence of one minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills: Sculling: head first, feet first Rotation: forward/backward somersault, log roll Floatation: star on the front/on the back, tuck float, create own Egg beater: moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water, link skills with strokes and sculls

• Perform a sitting dive or dive

• Push, glide and swim 50m continuously using one stroke

• Push, glide and swim 100m continuously using a minimum of three different strokes

• Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds

• Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the floor throughout
 

For those wanting to continue with swimming on completion of Stages 1-7 there are a number of options available, including:

• Diving
• Lifesaving
• Synchronised Swimming
• Competitive Swimming

• If your child is 6 week to 18 months they can book into Adult & Baby lessons
• If your child is 18 months to 3 years they can book into Adult & Toddler lessons
• If your child is aged 3 to 5 years they can book into Preschool 1 or Adult & Non-Swimmer
• If your child is aged 5 years and a beginner swimmer they can book into Stage 1 classes
• If your child is transferring from another swimming lesson provider an assessment is required
• If your child has previously had swimming lessons with Active Leeds and returning within 6 months then please book on to the same Stage as they were previously on.

• If your child is not a beginner swimmer you will need to book in a swimming assessment with us. 

  Once your child is booked into a class then they stay in that class until they have successfully completed all the outcomes. Children are continually assessed and they move Stages when they are ready.

  Swim lessons are paid for via a monthly direct debit.

  To book check your swimming lessons status please utilise our questionnaire 

The Swim Pathway is the national syllabus produced by the Swim England to assist and support the delivery of swimming lessons. It is a single pathway for swimmers to learn how to be competent and confident in the water. The pathway is a multi-skill programme for swimmers to learn how to swim and be proficient in water, which will allow them to then make the choice to continue to participate in any aquatic sports later on such as: Competitive Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Rookie Lifesaving.

​This will vary with every swimmer depending on their skills and experience. Some children are more naturally competent and confident in the water and therefore will progress faster. Other children are slower to learn new skills but can quite often become stronger more proficient swimmers as they progress.

If a swimmer has the experience of pre-school or adult and child sessions then he/she may move faster initially through Stages 1 and 2 because they will be familiar with the environment and should be more confident in the water.

At each stage of the Pathway all of the skills are crucial and must be easily achieved prior to moving onto the next stage. For example, if the swimmer does not accomplish a skill such as aquatic breathing, the achievement of skills such as rotation, streamlining, travel, buoyancy and balance will become difficult to perform effectively.

The more often your child visits the pool the quicker they will progress, we’d recommend swimming at least once a week as well as the swimming lessons.

The most important factor is that every child learns to swim, enjoys their lessons and enjoys swimming. Your child should not become disheartened if they progress at a different rate to the other children in their lesson, and you and their swimming teacher will play a key role in keeping them motivated.

The lessons are led by a Level 2 qualified swimming teacher. The teacher will look to provide a variety of different fun-based activities to help the swimmers learn new skills. Throughout the lesson the teacher will provide feedback and instruction to help each individual swimmer develop.

Some swimmers may be given slightly different activities depending on their strengths and weaknesses to help them focus on their individual needs.

As the lessons progress the swimming teacher will record progress made against the outcomes outlined above for the relevant stage. Parents can check on progress via the Homeportal, please note outcomes may not be updated after every lesson. If your child's outcomes have not been updated for 4 weeks or more then please contact the centre direct. 

When a swimmer is able to complete all the outcomes consistently they will be awarded a badge and moved to the next Stage. 

​Starting swimming lessons is a big step for many children. Prior to starting swimming lessons we strongly recommend you familiarise your child with the pool and swimming pool environment - family trips to the swimming pool are a great way to do this. It's beneficial to talk through what your child should expect when they are due to start lessons and explain who their class teacher will be, if possible. Children's books are available covering topics like visiting the swimming pool and taking lessons, they can help set the scene and help to relieve any worry before the lessons start.

It is not advised to swim on a full stomach so try to encourage your child not to eat in the hour before their lesson. However, some children may come straight from school and may need a small snack to maintain energy levels. You know your child best and if they are prone to feel ill or anxious before swimming it is probably best to avoid eating before a lesson.

We recommend your child showers after getting changed for their lesson and also visits the toilet so they don’t have to miss any of their lesson.

When completing online joining you should advise the pool of any medical conditions, injuries or additional needs your child may have. Examples may include asthma, epilepsy, sight or hearing impairment or learning disabilities.

The pool provides all the swimming aids and equipment, your child only needs a swimming costume and towel. We recommend a tightly fitted swimming costume or swim trunks, which don’t absorb water. "Board" or "Bermuda" shorts are not ideal for swimming lessons.

In the early stages we don’t recommend swimming goggles but as children progress and spend more time with their faces in the water then that’s the time to buy them.

For children with long hair we recommend a swimming cap or for hair to be tied back to prevent it getting onto their face or in their mouth.

It's often a good idea to involve your child in what they need for their swimming lesson so they know what to expect when they get to the pool.

Kit bag suggestions:

• Swimming costume
• Towel
• Shampoo and shower gel
• Hair bands
• Swimming cap
• Locker money or token

No, photography and filming isn't allowed in or around the swimming pool and changing area.

As you may be aware taking photographs of children is a sensitive issue and we have a procedure to deal with this. Because there’s no guarantee of other children appearing in your photograph we can’t allow the use of any photographic equipment in or around the pool and changing area.

​Unfortunately our swimming teachers are often very busy before, during and after lessons and wouldn't have time to speak to every child's parent or guardian there and then. Parents can check on progress via the Homeportal, please note outcomes may not be updated after every lesson. If your child's outcomes have not been updated for 4 weeks or more then please contact the centre direct. 

​Learning to swim is a life skill and it is therefore important that any swimmer stays with the programme until they become competent and confident swimmers. Swimming should be seen in the same light as reading or writing, learning is just the start of development!

Swim England recommends a swimmer completes up to Stage 7 of the pathway through swimming lessons to give them a solid base to help them enjoy swimming and swimming related activities.

Parents/guardians of children under 8 must remain in the building, most of our sites have a designated viewing area for the pool. If your child is over 8 and you are leaving the building please ensure reception has your up to date contact details.