Junior Swimming Lessons at lakes leisure Ulverston
TADPOLES SWIMMING LESSONS
Tadpole swimming lessons are Parent & Child lessons for children age 3 – 4 years.
The aim of Tadpoles is to build water confidence and promote water safety. Many children will learn to swim unaided during these lessons but the main emphasis is on fun and confidence building.
The parent or guardian accompanying the child needs to be water confident, but does not necessarily need to be able to swim themselves.
Assessments
There are no set assessments for these lessons, but children who progress onto swimming may be given the opportunity to attempt short distance assessments.
CYGNETS SWIMMING LESSONS
Cygnet swimming lessons are Parent & Child lessons for children age 4 – 5 years.
The aims of the lessons are to build confidence, promote water safety and teach children to swim unaided. As the children progress throughout the year parents / guardians will be asked to leave the groups so the children can be taught alone.
At this early stage children can progress at different rates and it is sometimes necessary for teachers to reorganise classes to group children of similar standard. We find this has significant benefits for the development of all the children involved. Please be reassured if a suggested change is not possible no child will be asked to leave the scheme.
The parent or guardian accompanying the child needs to be water confident, but does not necessarily need to be able to swim themselves.
Assessments
There are no set assessment dates for these lessons, but when ready children will be given the opportunity to attempt skills assessment awards, Cygnets 1, 2 or 3. Children who progress onto swimming will also be given the opportunity to attempt short distance assessments.
STANDARD LESSON SWIMMING SCHEME
Standard 1 – For children age 5 by the end of the Autumn term (31st December)
The aims of standard 1 are to learn to swim. As the children progress throughout the year Frontcrawl and Backstroke techniques will be introduced and some groups will progress from widths to half length work. At this early stage children can progress at different rates and it is sometimes necessary for teachers to reorganise classes to create swimming and non swimming groups who are working at similar levels – although we understand this can cause some inconvenience we believe there are significant benefits for the development of the stronger and weaker swimmers. Please be reassured if a suggested change is not possible no child will be asked to leave the swimming scheme.
Assessments
Throughout the year....White ‘Safety Colour’ award/distance assessment for 5/10m
Autumn term Distance assessment aim up to 25m
Spring term Distance assessment aim up to 50m
Summer term Red ‘Safety Colour’ assessment & Technique assessment
Standard 1 Plus
The aims of standard 1+ is to work towards correct Frontcrawl breathing technique and correct backstroke technique. All work is carried out on half lengths, progressing to full lengths throughout the year.
For this standard each child should hold the Red Safety Award and appropriate safety work is carried out throughout the year ready for the next ‘Colour’ assessment.
Assessments
Autumn term Distance assessment aim up to 100m
Spring term Distance assessment aim up to 200m
Summer term Orange ‘Safety Colour’ assessment & Technique assessment
Standard 2
Standard 2 carry out most work on lengths. Frontcrawl and Backstroke techniques are developed further and Butterfly technique is introduced.
For this standard each child should hold the Orange Safety Award and appropriate safety work is carried out throughout the year ready for the next ‘Colour’ assessment.
Assessments
Autumn term Distance assessment aim up to 400m
Spring term Distance assessment aim up to 600m
Summer term Purple ‘Safety Colour’ assessment & Technique assessment
Standard 3
As well as continuing work on Frontcrawl, Backstroke and Butterfly, Breaststroke is introduced. Distances appropriate for each stoke are used.
For this standard each child should hold the Purple Safety Award and appropriate safety work is carried out throughout the year ready for the next ‘Colour’ assessment.
Assessments
Autumn term Distance assessment aim up to 800m
Spring term Distance assessment aim up to 1000m
Summer term Green ‘Safety Colour’ assessment & Technique assessment
Standard 4
Teaching for standard 4 includes drill work on all 4 strokes over 50m distances to improve more advance technique. Some diving work is introduced.
For this standard each child should hold the Green Safety Award and appropriate safety work is carried out throughout the year ready for the next ‘Colour’ assessment.
Assessments
Autumn term Distance assessment aim up to 1 mile
Spring term Distance assessment up to 1 mile (if not previously achieved)
Summer term Blue ‘Safety Colour’ assessment & Technique assessment
Standard 5
The aim for Standard 5 is to improve stamina and to become proficient at any distance on all 4 strokes. Diving block work is introduced.
For this standard each child should hold the Green Safety Award and appropriate safety work is carried out throughout the year ready for the next ‘Colour’ assessment.
Many swimmers continue to attend Standard 5 lessons for a number of years even after achieving the Gold safety award as they can continuously improve their swimming for competition or recreational purposes.
Assessments
Autumn term Distance assessment up to 1 mile (if not previously achieved)
Spring term Distance assessment up to 1 mile (if not previously achieved)
Summer term GOLD ‘Safety Colour’ assessment & Technique assessment
* During distance assessments children are required to swim correct technique suitable for each standard. We do not feel it is advisable or safe for children to achieve distances they have struggled to achieve as this can give a false impression of how safe the child is in water.
