We run our swim lessons with the best interests of each child at heart. We believe group swim lessons should be safe and fun with gradual progression in the core aqua skills and stroke development. It takes time and patience, each child is different and progresses at their own pace. Group swim lessons are great for social development as children can learn and play together.
What are your levels? A rough guide….
We have 6 levels in our group lessons. There are fun and games at each level, appropriate to their age and abilities.
There is a greater demand for beginner lessons for young swimmers, so since summer 2022 we have 2 groups of beginners (1A for youngest children, 1B for older beginners). In these groups we develop basic core aqua skills (faces wet for body position, basic aquatic breathing, streamlining the body, floating) through fun and games.We introduce the basics of front crawl and back crawl strokes.
Level 2 is near reception at the shallow end. We continue to develop the core aqua skills with fun and games (rocket glides, submerging). We add arm movements to the front crawl and back crawl.
Levels 3 is the first section with full widths. The basics stroke techniques are tested over a larger distance, building consistency. We introduce side breathing practice in the front crawl.
Level 4 is in the middle of the pool. We add more rotation in the front crawl and back crawl strokes. We introduce and focus on breaststroke as a priority here.
The deep end is for the most advanced swimmers. Level 5/6 swimmers can progress to lane swimming when they are strong at front crawl and back crawl, and competent at breaststroke. We do not put a heavy emphasis on Butterfly, although we do include it in level 5 and lane swimming. The swimmers are asked reflection questions at the end of class to aid their learning.
Why is my child in Level X and not in Level Y?
We assess the children on an ongoing basis. As soon as they are ready to progress to the next level, we will move them up. When a new set starts, we prepare as best we can but it can take a week or two to organise all the children in the best groups for their ability. Thanks for your patience with this.
Please also keep in mind that we are assessing the children across a range of skills / strokes. Sometimes one stroke can be strong but another is not ready for the practices in the next level. Better to be patient than rush the child.
Finally, our instructors are all capable of individualizing practices for each child within a group when necessary. We adapt and teach what is front of us.
Teachers in the water…
Firstly, we would never have a child in an area of water that is unsafe for their ability. Since Covid we have adapted our skills to teach more from the pool side, and a little less from the water. We encourage children to develop their feel of the water and do it themselves. It can be very beneficial for the children when they learn this way.
However, we keep a balanced approach and try to use an assistant in the water when it speeds up the learning process. We do our best to regularly have a teacher in the water at the levels that most need it: levels 1 and 4 (where the pool depth increases). Generally a swim teacher can better organise their group and see their swimmers technique from the pool side.
If we do not have a teacher in the water on occasion it may be due to staffing issues that sometimes happen.
Thanks for reading.