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First and foremost, we are a Swim England registered swim school. Swim England is the UK's governing body for swimming and has formulated a framework to ensure that the best teaching practices are followed. All of our teachers are qualified to teach these practices. Without any doubt, it is the best way to teach children to swim and most schools will teach to this framework.
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So, how do we teach and how do our lessons fit into Swim England's framework of badges?
Each child will complete a set of skills before moving on to the next course. It really does make perfect sense and children will progress more quickly as they will be fully equipped to go to the next stage. It is impossible to say how long each child will be in each stage as they are all so very different. There are may factors to take into account such as natural ability, practice outside of school, time of day (tiredness) and of course, the want to get into the water and many other factors besides.
Each child will complete a set of skills before moving on to the next course. It really does make perfect sense and children will progress more quickly as they will be fully equipped to go to the next stage. It is impossible to say how long each child will be in each stage as they are all so very different. There are may factors to take into account such as natural ability, practice outside of school, time of day (tiredness) and of course, the want to get into the water and many other factors besides.
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When do you assess children?
Unlike most other schools we do not hold assessment days. Each and every child is assessed continually, without them knowing. This takes the stress out of learning and leaves the children to have fun and learn at their own pace. We feel that assessment days are a mistake as some children do not perform well in these conditions and it can hold them back. It's more work for us but that's great, we love to be kept busy. It's also satisfying for us to see children enjoying their swimming and not continuously thinking about "exam days". When a child is ready to move up, they will be given their badges and they will move to the next course wherever it may be in the term subject to availability of course. |
What badges do you issue?
We issue the official Swim England badges and certificates and we do not charge extra for these. If you are transferring from another school, please let us know which badges your child has so we can start them on the appropriate course. We will of course credit them with the work they have done with another school. If you have been at a school that runs a different badge scheme (such as the STA) we can map these awards across to the Swim England scheme that we run. If we are in any doubt as to a child's ability we will ask you to bring your child in for a free water based assessment. These take around 10 minutes and will give us a very good indication of skill level. Because we run the national curriculum, any awards that we issue will be fully transportable to a different school or swimming club. |
Finding out more.
As a parent, it is nice to know exactly how we teach and you will probably have a few questions. So, why not come and speak to us at your session and we will explain exactly where your child is in the framework and the progress that is being made. We will be more than happy to show you Swim England's Framework which is part of the UK's National Plan for Teaching Swimming.
As a parent, it is nice to know exactly how we teach and you will probably have a few questions. So, why not come and speak to us at your session and we will explain exactly where your child is in the framework and the progress that is being made. We will be more than happy to show you Swim England's Framework which is part of the UK's National Plan for Teaching Swimming.
Our class levels are outlined below.
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Mainstream classes last for 30 minutes and swum on the width.
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Club session last for 45 minutes and are swum on the length.
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CRAB
A basic introduction to the environment and the emphasis is on learning through fun and games. Children are given the opportunity to discover under the strict supervision of a fully qualified instructor. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Duckling 1, Duckling 2 Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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JELLYFISH
Developing basic safety awareness, the ‘class’ scenario, basic movement skills and further water confidence skills. Developing safe entries to the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel and unaided rotation to regain upright positions. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Duckling 3, Stage 1 Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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STARFISH
Developing basic stroke and buoyancy on the front and back without aids. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Duckling 4, Stage 2 5 metre Award Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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SHRIMP
Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Duckling 5, Stage 3 10 metre Award Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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SQUID
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 Swim England. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Stage 4 Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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LOBSTER
Developing watermanship through sculling and treading water skills, complete rotation and also performing all strokes to the given standard as directed by Swim England. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Stage 5 Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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OCTOPUS
Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing, developing the water-safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Stage 6 Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
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DOLPHIN
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. Swim England Fundamentals taught: Stage 7 Read more about this stage in the Dolphin Framework. |
