Swim School Programme

Incorporating The ASA National Plan For Teaching Swimming

Learning through Play

Welcome to Ships & Castles swimming lesson programme which has been carefully designed to offer the highest standards of swim teaching.

Working in partnership with the swimming governing body, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), swimming lessons adheres to the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming. This means that the swimming lessons are monitored by the ASA to ensure we maintain the highest standards of tuition and customer service.



Professional Teaching Staff

Our committed teachers are all ASA qualified and attend required training courses as part of continued professional development to keep them up to date with the latest thinking in learn to swim, this means they are always striving to continually improve all aspects of swimming teaching.

Small GroupsThere's Even More To Swimming Lessons

- Small teaching groups.
- Personalised progress reports for each pupil each term which include a recommendation for the next course.


Comprehensive Syllabus

The ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming has not only the most up to date syllabus; it also offers clearly defined progression levels that are easily understood. With 7 different levels we can accommodate many different abilities.

The emphasis is on teaching correct technique over short distances providing the foundations for sound swimming and pupil progress. It is also our policy to ensure lessons are enjoyable, interesting and above all offer the highest standards of water confidence, skills and technique.

ASA National Swim Awards

- Fantastic badges and certificates for skill awards and distances.

- Sponsored by Kellogg's Frosties featuring Tony the Tiger!



Class levels - Brief Summary of Skills
ASA National Swim Awards
Achievable at Ships & Castles



Lots of funAdvanced Ducklings (Age 3 – 4yrs)

Non-swimmer, foundation, Primarily water confidence skills unaccompanied by parent or guardian leading to basic travelling techniques.


ASA Stage 1 (Age 4yrs upwards)

Developing basic awareness, the 'class' scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills, swimming 5m on either front or back.


ASA Stage 2

Developing safe entries into the water including jumping in, basic floating, travel and rotation unaided to regain upright position. Swimming 5m on front and back.


ASA Stage 3

Developing safe entries including submersion. Swimming 10m on front and back, progress rotation skills and water knowledge.



Individual AttentionASA Stage 4

Developing the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, and refining kicking technique for all strokes. Swimming 10m ASA standard.


ASA Stage 5

Developing 'watermanship' through sculling and treading water skills, and complete rotation, also performing all strokes to the given ASA standard.


ASA Stage 6

Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing; developing the water safety aspects and understanding preparation for exercise.


After the Stages:



Rookie LifeguardsRookie Lifeguard

The Rookie Lifeguard programme is aimed primarily at children from eight years old and above. The course, which has been designed by water safety specialists at RLSS UK in partnership with colleagues at the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) for the National Plan for Teaching Swimming.

The programme features swimming and lifesaving skills supported by water safety education, allowing participants to enjoy swimming as an activity and, vitally, to protect their lives should an accident occur in or out of the water. Rookie Lifeguards will work for bronze, silver and gold awards, with three awards at each level.


NOTES:
1) New pupils may be given an assessment before a final decision is made on their appropriate class.
2) Parents/ carers may be required to accompany non-swimmers in certain locations due to water depth.
3) Above classes may be run in partnership with swim clubs.
4) Not all Stages may be run at each facility.
5) We recommend that all children complete their initial immunisation programme before using swimming pools.


Please contact reception for further details.


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