Children’s Courses
Our Aqua School staff are highly qualified, experienced teachers and instructors. We offer a comprehensive range of swimming classes that cater for children of all ages and abilities.
Foundation
Adult & Baby / Child
The main emphasis is placed on developing water confidence whilst working with the parent or accompanying adult. The course takes babies from the initial introduction to water through to achieving independence. Children who complete this stage will then be advised to progress onto the Aqua School level 2/Beginners’ stage.
Stage 1 & 2
(formerly Non Swimmers 1&2)
This category covers the initial process of introducing those with no experience of swimming to the water environment, developing confidence and being at ease in the water. This is achieved through informal play. Informal play involves moving freely, submerging, opening the eyes under water, using the arms and legs to achieve a simple form of travelling through the water and floating.
Stage 3, 4 & 4B
(formerly Beginners 1 & 2)
In this course, the emphasis moves from initial confidence to building a sound foundation in those aspects of “watermanship” which later on will underpin the performance of sound swimming technique. As well as becoming completely “at home” on and under water, including skills developing control in water breathing and beginning to experiment with the different methods of using the limbs for propulsion.
Stage 5
(formerly Improvers 1)
The focus is now on building competence in the basic elements of propulsion, using the main swimming strokes with a continuing emphasis on the importance of good streamlining and breathing control. This is accompanied by the introduction of a range of aquatic skills such as sculling, treading water and swimming underwater.
Stage 6
(formerly Improvers 2)
The aim here is to consolidate the aquatic skills with controlled breathing, so that swimmers can swim competently, using correct basic technique on 3 of the main strokes, over the standard distance of 25m, and on butterfly over 10m. In addition, turns and essential safe foundation practices for diving are introduced.
Stage 7
(formerly Advanced 1)
Once an acceptable degree of basic competence is achieved in the fundamental skills at Improvers 2, it is time to progress to the development of more efficient swimming. This Module also consolidates the wider range of associated aquatic disciplines, synchronised swimming, water polo and diving, as well as providing for the development of a greater awareness and expertise in personal water safety and survival swimming. From this stage, pupils with the interest and enthusiasm will be ready to move on to participation across the range of swimming and aquatic sports with a solid foundation.
Stage 8, 9 & 10
Advanced & Pre-Competition
As well as further developing of the main swimming strokes, this category acts as an introduction to the early stages of training in competitive swimming; provides a basis for swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle and continues with some more advanced activities in the other disciplines. The development of both basic aerobic swimming endurance and swimming speed are integrated within the Programme.
This level leads logically on from Advanced 2 and has been designed specifically to lay the foundation required to prepare young swimmers to participate in the developmental coaching and training programmes run by swimming clubs, in preparation for taking part in competitive swimming. This stage focuses on the consolidation of effective technique, the racing skills associated with them and a suitable range of drills and practices. The final stages introduce more demanding aspects of training development.
Rookie Lifeguard
This course is designed for children aged 8 to 12 to have the opportunity to follow a planned Lifesaving skills programme, including Water Safety, Rescue, Self Rescue and Emergency Responses. The aims of Rookies is to:
Teach Lifesaving Skills
Increase Swimming Competence
Develop Survival Skills in Water
Develop Confidence, Initiative and Judgement
Develop Teamwork and Leadership
Lifesaving
Developing from the Rookies courses, our Lifesaving courses will introduce basic aquatic lifesaving skills. Further courses available following the RLSS teaching plan are Lifesaving 1,2 & 3, Lifesaving Development – for those whom are too young or require higher strength and stamina to undertake Bronze Medallion. Following on from Bronze Medallion is the Award of Merit.