Learn to Swim

Pendle Leisure Trust follows a structured lesson programme

through the ASA Learn to Swim Pathway, children will be taken on a journey from their first splash to developing water confidence and competence, all whilst having fun and making friends!

This Pathway is divided into seven progressive stages and make up the core, national syllabus of learning to swim for primary school aged children.

They are designed to reward your child for their development of the essential aquatic skills they need to be confident, competent and safe in the water.

Each of the stages has a list of clear outcomes that need to be completed in order to gain each award.

Ready to join our swimming lessons

Get in touch or Register your Child’s detail.

Outcomes at the end of each Stage will be:

These stages are called the Fundamental Sport Skills of the Learn to Swim Pathway. They are discipline-specific and build on the swimming skills learned in Stages 1-7.They have been developed with the grass roots programmes of the individual sports so are great if your child wants to take up competitive swimming, water polo, synchro, or diving.

At the end of each stage your child should be able to:

Stage 1	Enter the water safely Move forwards for a distance of five metres Move backwards for a distance of five metres Move sideways for distance of five metres Scoop the water and wash face Be at ease with water showered from overhead Move into a stretched floating position using aids, equipment or support Regain an upright position from on the back, with support Regain an upright position from on the front with support Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall Take part in a teacher-led partner orientated game Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules Exit the water safely
Stage 2	Jump in from poolside safely Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged Regain upright position from the back without support Regain an upright position from the front without support Push from wall and glide on the back Push from wall and glide on the front Travel on the back for five metres, aids or equipment may be used Travel on the front for five metres, aids or equipment may be used Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position
Stage 3	Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 0.9 metres) Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back. Fully submerge to pick up an object Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code Travel 10 metres on the back Travel 10 metres on the front
Stage 4	Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy Perform a tuck float for five seconds Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating at the surface Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional) Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the back (equipment optional) Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (equipment optional) Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement onto front Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement onto back Swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional
Stage 5	Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on the back Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation Tread water for 30 seconds Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water Swim 10 metres backstroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet) Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet) Swim 10 metres breaststroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet) Swim 10 metres butterfly (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet) Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water Demonstrate an action for getting help
Stage 6	Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl Swim 10 metres wearing clothes Swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths Swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths Swim 25 metres, choice of stroke Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue Perform a surface dive Exit the water without using steps
Stage 7	Swim 25 metres backstroke Swim 25 metres front crawl Swim 25 metres breaststroke Swim 25 metres butterfly Perform a movement sequence 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/backward somersault, log roll. Floating: star on the front/on the back, tuck float, create own. Eggbeater: moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water link skills with strokes and sculls Perform a sitting dive Swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke Swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout

Awards

Designed to complement the 7 stages of the ASA Learn to Swim Framework, the Rainbow Distance Awards are a range of bright, cheerful badges and certificates to help keep your child motivated while working through the individual Learn to Swim stages. Swimming ability and stamina are the focus of these awards. Children can work their way from the five metres through to the 1 mile distance award.

On a note of caution, please be aware that your child securing the Rainbow Distance Award is not an indication that he or she is safe in deep water. The ASA has designed specific awards for safety and survival.

When will the child receive these awards?

Upon achieving the swimming teacher will issue the child with a note of distance achieved. This note will have to be passed on to the reception who will issue a badge and a certificate. Please note that there will additional charges for badges and certificates.

Are you ready to join?

Get in touch with our team or call us at one of our three swimming pools:

• Pendle Wavelengths
• Pendle Leisure Centre
• West Craven Sport Centre