Children's Swimming Lessons

The Otters children’s award system is built with a 10 level structure. With roots in the Swim England system, we have further developed the programme into our own unique approach to work more consistently with our teaching methodology. Our distinctive technique can be seen as well as felt in the lessons themselves.

We guarantee only the highest standard of lessons, with emphasis on several important key elements:

Technique Focussed
Repetition, Review and Routine
Teacher Professionalism
Quality Teaching Programme
Continuous Learning
Measureable Progression
Fun Through Learning
Strong Communication
Structured Lessons

Lessons are available for children from 4 years old and upwards.

Stages

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 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 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 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 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)