Teaching Groups

Leander’s teaching programme runs continuously from the beginning of September through to June of the following year. The programme allows a child to acquire swimming skills, techniques and ability through three structured elements.

Leander’s teaching groups are being brought into line with the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming which provides a structured, nationally recognised, pathway to swimming proficiency. The aim of the teaching plan is for pupils to learn all strokes and water skills required for any aquatic discipline.

  Swimmers will be regularly assessed to ensure they are in the correct stage for their ability, and will consistently need to meet all the criteria for their current group before moving onto the next stage. Swimmers in all teaching groups have at least 30 minutes of pool time per week.

There are 8 stages and once children have completed them all they should be ready to move into the competitive squads if they wish. 

Stage 1

Devloping basic safety awareness, basic movement and water confidence skills.  Swimmers may use aids e.g. arm bands, floats etc.

Stage 2

Learning how to get into the water safely, including jumping in, basic floating, travelling up to a distance of 5 metres on front and back.  Swimmers may use aids e.g. arm bands, floats etc.

Stage 3

Developing underwater skills, water safety knowledge, travelling up to 10 metres on front and back.  At this stage swimmers are assessed with no aids or support.

Stage 4

Developing understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes, swimming 10 metres of a recognised stroke.

Stage 5

Furthering water skills including sculling, treading water and complete rotation and performing all strokes for a distance of 10 metres.

Stage 6

Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing across all strokes plus swimming a distance of 25 metres using a stroke of the swimmer's choice, developing understanding of water safety and preparation for exercise

Stage 7

Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learned and combining them to develop a linked routine and successfully complete an obstacle course which combines a variety of skills acquired throughout stages 1-7

Stage 8

At this point, swimmers are getting ready to move into competitive swimming.  They should be swimming twice a week in order to build their stamina and refine their skills