Our Curriculum

Our lesson criteria has been carefully designed using a combination of Swim England, STA and Instant Swim skills to develop a well rounded and inclusive set of awards.

Our classes allow consistent progression, whilst developing a love for the water. As swimmers progress through the program, awards can be achieved and purchased on our Book & Shop page!

Shop Awards

group and private lessons For our swimmers 3 years old & up.

Learn to Swim

Starfish 1

Stage 1

  1. Enter the water safely
  2. Move forwards / backwards for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor
  3. Scoop the water and wash the face
  4. Be comfortable with water showered from overhead
  5. Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres
  6. Perform a star float on front and on back with minimal adult support
  7. Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall
  8. Jump from poolside to an adult
  9. Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules
  10. Exit the water without assistance

Starfish 2

  1. Enter the water with a seated swivel entry
  2. Blow bubbles with nose and mouth submerged
  3. Perform a star float on front and back without support
  4. Jump in from poolside and submerge
  5. Push from a wall and glide on the back, arms can be by the side or above the head
  6. Kick 5 metres on front and back with flotation equipment
  7. Swim 5 metres on front or back without support
  8. Rotate from a front star float to a back star float
  9. Perform a log roll from the front to back
  10. Exit the water without support

Starfish 3

  1. Jump in from poolside and submerge
  2. Sink, push away from wall and maintain a streamlined position
  3. Travel 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back
  4. Fully submerge to pick up an object 
  5. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the front breathing to the side
  6. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the back using arms
  7. Perform a mushroom float and hold for three seconds
  8. Attempt breaststroke arms and legs
  9. Attempt dolphin kicking with arms by side or in front
  10. Exit the water without using steps

Starfish 4

  1. Jump into deep water and return to side of pool without assistance
  2. Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor
  3. Kick 25 metres of all strokes, using flotation equipment
  4. Push and glide and swim 15 metres confidently on front
  5. Push and glide and swim 15 metres confidently on back
  6. Swim 10 metres breaststroke with correct timing
  7. Attempt butterfly stroke with arms and legs
  8. Travel on front and rotate on to back (3 arms on front, 3 arms on back)
  9. Tread water for 10 seconds out of depth
  10. Perform a sitting dive from the side of the pool

For our 50m + swimmers

Swim Academy

Stage 5

  1. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water
  2. Push and glide and swim 25 metres confidently on front
  3. Push and glide and swim 25 metres confidently on back
  4. Swim 15m breaststroke with correct timing 
  5. Swim 10 metres butterfly with correct timing
  6. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back
  7. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds
  8. Perform a forward somersault
  9. Tread water and demonstrate an action for getting help
  10. Perform a kneeling or standing dive from the side of the pool

Stage 6

  1. Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important
  2. Sink, push off on side from the wall in a streamlined position into front crawl
  3. Sink, push off on side from the wall in a streamlined position into backstroke
  4. Swim 15 metres wearing clothes
  5. Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  6. Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional
  7. Swim 15 metres butterfly with correct breathing
  8. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue
  9. Perform a surface dive and retrieve an object from the pool floor
  10. Perform a straddle entry into deep water

Stage 7

  1. Perform a standing dive
  2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl
  3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke
  4. Push and glide and swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke
  5. Push and glide and swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes 
  6. Swim 25m breaststroke with correct underwater phase start
  7. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.
  8. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout.
  9. Perform feet first sculling to 15 metres
  10. Swim 25 metres wearing clothes

Stage 8

  1. Complete a set lasting 400 metres (e.g. 8 x 50 metres) on a specific turnaround time agreed by the coach
  2. Swim 400 metres continuously using one stroke
  3. Perform a front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly turn
  4. Perform a dive track or grab start, and kick butterfly underwater in a streamlined position for 5 metres 
  5. ​​Push and glide into a forward tucked somersault to finish upright
  6. Take part in a relay race and understand the concept
  7. Swim forwards 5 metres with head up, whilst controlling a ball in front.
  8. Play a simple water polo game, score by placing ball on the side of the pool
  9. Demonstrate two stationary floating positions, one with good body extension and one tightly tucked into a mushroom float
  10. Perform a back layout, scull continuously for 3 metres head first, followed by a rapid back tuck somersault

Stage 9

  1. Complete a set lasting 800 metres (e.g. 8 x 100 metres) on a specific turnaround time agreed by the coach
  2. Swim 800 metres continuously using one stroke
  3. Swim a continuous 100 metre individual medley (4 x 25 metres) 
  4. Perform a front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly reaching 10m underwater
  5. Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an incoming & outgoing swimmer
  6. Swim 5 metres with a ball, pass the ball to target, and continue to swim 5 metres
  7. Pick up a ball, shoot at a target from a 2 metre distance and repeat five times. The target may be a player, kick board, plastic bottles, etc.
  8. Swim 5 metres head up front crawl with breaststroke legs
  9. Perform a handstand with hands on the bottom of pool and back against the wall of the pool demonstrating a vertical line
  10. Scull continuously in a back layout position for 3 metres feet first, followed by a 180 degrees tub and a rapid back tuck somersault

Stage 10

  1. Complete a set lasting 1600 metres (e.g. 8 x 200 metres) on a specific timed turnaround set by the coach
  2. Swim 1500 metres continuously using one stroke
  3. Perform a continuous 100 metre individual medley kick (4 x 25 metres) without using a kick board
  4. Swim a continuous 200 metre individual medley (4 x 50 metres) using recognised turns
  5. Dolphin kick in a vertical position for 30 seconds
  6. Take part in a mixed medley relay
  7. Play a simplified water polo game, score by hitting a target on the side of the pool or some other adaptation
  8. Perform a stationary handstand or vertical holding the side of the pool, back against the wall with good extension
  9. Demonstrate support scull standing on bottom of the pool
  10. Take part in a race with a partner, applying skills learnt in this stage

incorporated in all classes

Water Safety

Bronze

  1. Perform a swivel entry
  2. Identify shallow and deep end of pool
  3. Climb out using the side of the pool
  4. Star float on back for 5 seconds
  5. Float on front and roll onto back
  6. Swim with head up for 5 metres
  7. Jump into deep water and return to side
  8. Pick up an object from pool floor

Silver

  1. Jump in and float on back
  2. Tread water for 15 seconds and shout for help
  3. Star float on back for 30 seconds
  4. Jump in and float without goggles
  5. Swim 10 metres without goggles
  6. Swim 10 metres with clothes on
  7. Complete ‘reach and throw’ exercise to aid someone in
  8. Understand the role of a lifeguard

Gold

  1. Swim 25 metres without goggles
  2. Jump in, tread water for 30 seconds and then float on back for a rest
  3. Swim 25 metres with clothes on
  4. Confidently swim 100 metres front crawl and backstroke
  5. Float on back for 1 minute
  6. Tread water for 1 minute and rotate 360 degrees
  7. Demonstrate the HELP position
  8. Identify the colours and meanings of beach flags