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Levels We Follow

We follow the Swim England Framework for our classes. Parent and Child/ Parent and Toddler will start with Discovery Ducklings 1-4 criteria. When children are 4 years and over, they can enroll in our duckling classes (Duckling 1-4) where they go into a class without a parent. When they are ready, they then progress to the Learn To Swim Framework stages 1-10. 

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If your child has completed a stage at another swim school that has followed the same framework, they can be enrolled in our classes at the stage they are currently at for ease of progression. 

Discovery Duckling 1

By the end of this stage your child should be able to:

  1. Enter the water safely and comfortably, with full adult support.

  2. Bob up and down in the water, in an upright position, with full adult support.

  3. Float on the back and return to an upright position, with full adult support.

  4. Be at ease with water being poured on the back of the head.

  5. Move smoothly through the water, in an upright position, with full adult support.

  6. Exit the water safely with full adult support.

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Discovery Duckling 2

By the end of this stage your child should be able to:

  1. Enter the water safely and comfortably, with full adult support.

  2. Float on the back, with full adult support.

  3. Splash hands in the water.

  4. Complete a 360 degree turn, with full adult support. (The adult should hold the child close to them at first and then at arm’s length, the child should be facing away from the adult).

  5. Move through the water in a streamlined position on the back, with full adult support.

  6. Be at ease with the face being washed or splashed.

  7. Move smoothly through the water, in an upright position, with full adult support.

  8. Travel on the front or back, with full adult support.

  9. Make progress towards holding the side of the pool, with full adult support.

  10. Exit the water safely, with full adult support.

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Discovery Duckling 3

By the end of this stage your child should be able to:

  1. Enter the water safely, with full adult support. Swimmers should be encouraged to sit on the side and wait for adult instruction.

  2. Float on the back, with full adult support behind the head, shoulders and hips.

  3. Reach and grab toys on the water surface.

  4. Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, with full adult support.

  5. Move through the water in a streamlined position on the front, with full adult support.

  6. Be at ease with water being showered over the face.

  7. Travel on the back using floatation equipment, with full adult support.

  8. Hold the rail or side of pool and move towards the step or ladders using floatation equipment, with full adult support.

  9. Exit the water safely with adult supervision.

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Discovery Duckling 4

By the end of this stage your child should be able to:

  1. Enter the water safely from a seated or standing position and return to the wall or pool side, with full adult support.

  2. Float on the front using floatation equipment, with full adult support.

  3. Reach and grab toys on top of and under the surface of the water.

  4. Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, using floatation equipment and with minimal adult support.

  5. Push away from the wall in a streamlined position, with full adult support.

  6. Be at ease wetting or splashing the face and putting the chin in the water.

  7. Travel on the front using floatation equipment, with full adult support.

  8. Hold the rail or side of pool and move towards the steps or ladders using floatation equipment, with full adult support.

  9. Exit the water safely with adult supervision.

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Duckling 1

By completing this Award you should be able to:

  1. Make a supervised safe entry with adult support if required.

  2. Float on back with adult support behind the head without floatation equipment.

  3. Blow bubbles at the water surface.

  4. Wet the head without submersion.

  5. Kick 5 metres on back with adult support.

  6. Travel without adult support for 2 metres to a floating object.

  7. Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with adult support.

  8. Exit the water safely with minimal adult support.

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Duckling 2

By completing this Award you should be able to:

  1. Make a sitting entry with adult support if required.

  2. Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, using floatation equipment and without adult support.

  3. Submerge the face with confidence and without force under adult supervision.

  4. Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres.

  5. Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without adult support.

  6. Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without adult support.

  7. Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with minimal adult support.

  8. Exit the water safely with minimal adult support.

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Duckling 3

By completing this Award you should be able to:

  1. Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support.

  2. Float on the front or back without adult support.

  3. Push off on the front or back in a streamlined shape from a supporting adult.

  4. Blow bubbles with the mouth and nose underwater.

  5. Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool without adult support.

  6. Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float).

  7. Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side without adult support.

  8. Climb out of the water with adult support if required.

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Duckling 4

By completing this Award you should be able to:

  1. Jump into the water unaided, but supervised.

  2. Perform a mushroom or star float.

  3. Rotate 360 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position.

  4. Push and glide achieving a streamlined position on the front or back.

  5. Submerge completely.

  6. Travel 10 metres on the front or back, without adult support.

  7. Jump into the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold on to the side or rail.

  8. Climb out of the water with adult support if required.

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Stage 1

By completing this Award, with or without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:

  1. Enter the water safely.

  2. Move forward for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.

  3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.

  4. Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.

  5. Scoop the water and wash the face.

  6. Be comfortable with water showered from overhead.

  7. Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing.

  8. Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing.

  9. Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall.

  10. Push and glide in a flat position on the back from a wall.

  11. Give examples of two pool rules.

  12. Exit the water safely.

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Stage 2

By completing this Award, with or without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:

  1. Jump in from poolside safely.

  2. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.

  3. Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing without support.

  4. Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing without support.

  5. Push from a wall and glide on the back – arms can be by the side or above the head.

  6. Push from a wall and glide on the front with arms extended.

  7. Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the back for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.

  8. Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the front for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.

  9. Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the front, to a back floating position, then return to standing.

  10. Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the back, to a front floating position, then return to standing.

  11. Perform a log roll from the back to the front.

  12. Perform a log roll from the front to the back.

  13. Exit the water without support.

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Stage 3

By completing this Award, without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:

  1. Jump in from poolside and submerge.

  2. Sink, push away from wall and maintain a streamlined position.

  3. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back.

  4. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front.

  5. Travel 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back.

  6. Fully submerge to pick up an object.

  7. Correctly identify three of the four key water safety messages.*

  8. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the back.

  9. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the front.

  10. Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.

  11. Exit the water without using steps.

 

*The four key water safety messages include*:
1. Always swim in a safe place.
2. Always swim with an adult.
3. If you fall in, float, breathe, relax.
4. If someone else in trouble, call 999/112.

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Stage 4

By completing this Award, without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:

  1. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.

  2. Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.

  3. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional).

  4. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional).

  5. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back.

  6. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (one item of equipment optional).

  7. Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.

  8. Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.

  9. Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.

  10. Push and glide and swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional.

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Stage 5

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.

  2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.

  3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation.

  4. Tread water for 30 seconds.

  5. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water.

  6. Push and glide and swim 10 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  7. Push and glide and swim 10 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  8. Push and glide and swim 10 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  9. Push and glide and swim 10 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds.

  11. Perform a forward somersault.

  12. Demonstrate an action for getting help.

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Stage 6

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.

  2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke.

  3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.

  4. Swim 10 metres wearing clothes.

  5. Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.

  6. Push and glide and swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.

  7. Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths.

  8. Push and glide and swim backstroke to include at least six regular breaths.

  9. Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  10. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.

  11. Perform a surface dive.

 

Stage 7

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Push and glide and swim 25 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  2. Push and glide and swim 25 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  3. Push and glide and swim 25 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  4. Push and glide and swim 25 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  5. Perform a movement sequence (linking skills with strokes and sculls) of one minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills:Sculling: head first, feet first
    Rotation: forward or backward somersault, log roll
    Floating: star on the front or on the back, tuck float, create own
    Eggbeater: Moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water

  6. Perform a sitting dive or dive.

  7. Push and glide and swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  8. Push and glide and swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes (performed to Swim England expected standards).

  9. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.

  10. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout.

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Stage 8

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Complete a set lasting 400 metres (e.g. 16 x 25 metres, 8 x 50 metres, 4 x 100 metres) on a specific turnaround time agreed by the teacher or coach (e.g. 1.00 minutes for each 25 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.

  2. Swim 400 metres continuously using one stroke.

  3. Push and streamline then kick 25 metres backstroke with or without using a board.

  4. Push and streamline then kick 25 metres breaststroke with or without using a board.

  5. Push and streamline then kick 25 metres butterfly without using a board.

  6. Push and streamline then kick 25 metres front crawl with or without using a board.

  7. Perform a backstroke turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.

  8. Perform a breaststroke turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.

  9. Perform a butterfly turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.

  10. Perform a front crawl turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.

  11. Perform a dive track or grab start, and kick butterfly underwater in a streamlined position for 5 metres with the focus on progressing it to 10 metres.*

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*Delivery will depend on the pool design and facilities available.

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Stage 9

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Complete a set lasting 800 metres (either 16 x 50 metres, 8 x 100 metres, 4 x 200 metres) on a specific turnaround time agreed by the teacher or coach (e.g. 1.30 minutes for 50 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.

  2. Swim 800 metres continuously using one stroke.

  3. Swim a continuous 100 metre individual medley (4 x 25 metres) using recognised turns with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.

  4. Perform a 15 metre underwater kick on front from a push and glide in a streamlined position.

  5. Perform a backstroke start then butterfly kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*

  6. Perform a front crawl start then kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*

  7. Perform a butterfly start then kick in a streamlined position up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*

  8. Perform a breaststroke start then perform a one and a half pull underwater. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*

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*Delivery will depend on the pool design and facilities available.

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Stage 10

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Complete a set lasting 1600 metres (either 16 x 100 metres, 8 x 200 metres, 4 x 400 metres) on a specific timed turnaround set by the teacher or coach (e.g. 2.30 minutes for 100 metres), focus on stroke technique and consistency.

  2. Swim 1500 metres continuously using one stroke.

  3. Perform a continuous 100 metre individual medley kick (4 x 25 metres) without using a kick board.

  4. Swim a continuous 200 metre individual medley (4 x 50 metres) using recognised turns.

  5. Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an incoming swimmer.

  6. Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an outgoing swimmer.

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Swimming Challenge Awards – Bronze

For the following grades Sections A and B may be completed on two different occasions, but each section must be completed without pause and in the order listed. This group of skills test the pupil’s ability:

Section A

  1. Jump into water of at least full reach depth.*

  2. Swim 10 metres, followed by a surface dive into water of at least full reach depth* and underwater swim for a distance of 5 metres.

  3. Tread water in a vertical position for three minutes.

  4. Scull head-first on the back for 15 metres with the feet at, or near, the surface throughout.

Section B

  1. Swim 400 metres using two strokes. (Changes of stroke can only occur at the completion of a length of the pool. A minimum of 100 metres is to be swum with each stroke.)

  2. Climb out at the deep end without assistance.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

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Swimming Challenge Awards – Silver

By completing this Award, you will have shown your ability to complete each of the following sections in the order listed without pause:

Section A

  1. Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth.*

  2. Swim 100 metres in less than three minutes using any stroke. A change of stroke may only occur at the completion of a length of the pool.

  3. Tread water for two minutes with one hand behind the back.

  4. Swim 10 metres, followed immediately by two surface dives into water of full reach depth*, one head first and one feet first, bringing an object to the surface on each occasion.

  5. Scull head first on the back for 10 metres and return by sculling 10 metres feet first. A horizontal position must be maintained throughout.

Section B

  1. Swim 800 metres: 400 metres on the front and 400 metres on the back. A change of stroke may only occur every 50 metres.

  2. Climb out at the deep end without assistance.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

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Swimming Challenge Awards – Gold

By completing this Award, you will have shown your ability to complete each of the following sections in the order listed without pause:

Section A

  1. Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth* and swim 100 metres in two minutes 30 seconds or less, using two different strokes, 50 metres of each.

  2. Tread water for three minutes with one hand remaining above the head throughout. The arm raised may be changed no more than five times.

  3. Scull head first on the back for 10 metres, move into a tucked position and turn through 360 degrees keeping the head above water. Return to the starting point by sculling feet first with the feet at or near the surface throughout and the hands close to the hips.

  4. Swim 10 metres, perform a forward somersault without touching the pool bottom and continue to swim in the same direction for a further 10 metres.

Section B

  1. Swim 800 metres using three of the following strokes: front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, English backstroke or sidestroke for a minimum distance of 200 metres per stroke. A change of stroke may only occur every 100 metres. This swim to be completed in 25 minutes.

  2. Climb out at the deep end without assistance.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

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Swimming Challenge Awards – Honours

By completing this Award, you will have shown your ability to complete each of the following sections in the order listed without pause:

Section A

  1. Make a straddle entry into water of at least full reach depth*, swim 5 metres into a piked surface dive to retrieve an object weighing approximately 2kg from water of full reach depth*; carry the object using a backstroke or sidestroke for a distance of 20 metres, to place it on the poolside.

  2. Scull 10 metres head first on the back; complete a back somersault finishing in a back layout position; perform a roll to take up a front layout position; carry out a front somersault finishing in a front layout position; tuck and rotate backwards into a back layout position and continue to scull feet first for 15 metres. Throughout all sculling and layout positions, the hands must remain close to the hips and the feet must be kept together on or near the surface of the water.

Section B

Complete the following in a total time of 20 minutes without a pause:

  1. Swim 200 metres front crawl, 200 metres backstroke and either 100 metres breaststroke or 50 metres butterfly. A change of stroke may only occur every 100 metres (except for butterfly).

  2. Swim 500 metres freestyle during which surface dive twice head first and twice feet first; on each surface dive, swim through two hoops 4 metres apart without surfacing. The tops of the hoops are to be at least 1 metre below the surface of the water.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

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Rookie Lifeguard Awards – Bronze

On completing Bronze Stages 1, 2 and 3 children should be able to:

  1. Enter shallow water safely and confidently

  2. Tread water for 1 minute, using arms to occasionally signal for help

  3. Swim continuously in clothing for 50m (long sleeved top, trousers or skirt)

  4. Swim Lifesaving Backstroke over a distance of 50m

  5. Scull head and feet first on their back over a distance of 15m

  6. Hold the ‘HELP’ position for 2 minutes 30 seconds

  7. Demonstrate a non-panicking, panicking, and unconscious casualty

  8. Demonstrate a ‘Shout and Signal’ rescue to a casualty 5m away

  9. Enter shallow water and wade to a casualty 5m away

  10. Throw a buoyant aid to a casualty 5m away and instruct them back to the side

  11. Demonstrate a reach rescue to a casualty 2m away

  12. Throw a non buoyant aid (rope) to a casualty 8m away

  13. Enter deep water safely and confidently

  14. Perform a feet first surface dive and swim underwater 5m before surfacing

  15. Climb out in deep water without using the steps

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Rookie Lifeguard Awards – 

Silver

On completing Silver Stages 1, 2 and 3 children should be able to:

  1. Swim continuously in clothing (long sleeved top, Trousers, or a skirt) for 200m on your front and back (100m on your front and 100m on your back), in less than 10 minutes.

  2. Demonstrate a reaching rescue to a casualty 2m away, instruct them what to do

  3. Throw a buoyant aid to a casualty 8m away. Instruct them what to do

  4. Enter shallow water and wade to a casualty 10m away. Using a throwing aid, instruct the casualty what to do.

  5. Enter shallow water and wade to a casualty 10m away. Using a rigid aid instruct the casualty what to do.

  6. Place casualty in the support position

  7. Tread water for 3 minutes, shouting and signalling for help every 30 seconds or so

  8. Swim 100m during which perform 2 feet first and head first surface dives, recover an object in 1m of water before surfacing

  9. In shallow water turn a face down ‘unconscious casualty’ face up and walk to the poolside whilst shouting for help.

  10. Coil and throw a rope to a casualty 10m away and pull to the side in less than 45 seconds

  11. Enter deep water using a straddle jump

  12. Demonstrate a fall-in entry into clear deep water

  13. Swim 20m continuously with your head out of the water on your front

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Rookie Lifeguard Awards – 

Gold

On completing Gold Stages 1, 2 and 3 children should be able to:

  1. Coil and throw a rope to a casualty 12 metres away and pull to the side, in less than 30 seconds

  2. Swim 400m continuously in clothing (long sleeved top and trousers) using three different strokes. Each stroke must be performed continuously for 100m (Lifesaving Backstroke, Sidestroke, Breaststroke or Front Crawl) in less than 15 minutes

  3. Tread water for two minutes before removing clothing then swim 50m to a point of support in deep water. Climb out of deep water unaided

  4. Demonstrate any two from the following in clear deep water; fall-in, compact jump or shallow dive

  5. Swim 10 metres then demonstrate a Reverse

  6. Swim 10 metres then demonstrate a Standoff

  7. Swim 20 metres to an unconscious casualty. Surface dive and recover an object from 1m depth of water. At the surface swap the object for and unconscious casualty. Turn the casualty over then perform a swim and tow for 20m using sidestroke. This is a timed swim and must be completed in less than 2 minutes 30 seconds. Shout for help

  8. Demonstrate supported rescue breathing whilst waiting for help

  9. Demonstrate the support position

  10. Using initiative, assist 2 casualties in difficulty up to 15 metres away in shallow water. Demonstrate non-contact rescues of both casualties instruct casualties what to do and assist to land. Treat for shock

  11. Using appropriate hand signals from land direct another swimmer to a point where an unconscious casualty has disappeared from sight in deep water

  12. Using any recognised competitive stroke, swim 400m continuously, in less than 12 minutes

  13. Complete the Rookie Life Support Award

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