Water Confidence & First Safety Skills
The very first step. Children get comfortable in the water, learn how to get in and out safely, and start moving about on their own terms. Floats and armbands can be used throughout this stage.
- Entering and leaving the water safely
- Moving forwards, backwards and sideways for 5 metres
- Getting used to water on the face, including showers overhead
- Floating on the front and the back, then standing up again
- Push and glide from the wall on front and back
- Learning some basic pool rules
Moving Without Floats
Children start travelling under their own steam with no buoyancy aids, and get confident putting their face in the water and breathing out.
- Jumping in from the poolside safely
- Blowing bubbles rhythmically with nose and mouth under
- Floating and returning to standing without help
- Push and glide on front and back
- Travelling 5 metres on front and back using a proper leg kick, no floats
- Rolling and rotating between front and back
- Climbing out unaided
Going Underwater & Travelling Further
Distance doubles to 10 metres and children get properly comfortable submerging — including diving down to collect an object, which is usually a favourite.
- Jumping in and going fully under
- Sinking, pushing off the wall and holding a streamlined shape
- Travelling 10 metres on front and back
- Retrieving an object from the bottom of the pool
- Combining travel with a rotation onto the back
- Holding a tuck float
- Learning the four water safety messages
- Getting out without using the steps
Leg Kicks for All Four Strokes
The focus moves to technique. Children develop a recognisable leg kick for front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, and are introduced to sculling.
- Kicking 10 metres on each of the four strokes
- Sculling head first for 5 metres on the back
- Changing shapes while floating, and understanding buoyancy
- Push and glide down towards the pool floor
- Travelling and log rolling in one continuous movement
- Swimming 10 metres to Swim England expected standards
Arm Actions, Sculling & Treading Water
Arms join the legs, so all four strokes come together properly. Treading water and sculling are taught here — both genuinely important safety skills.
- Swimming 10 metres of all four strokes to expected standards
- Stationary sculling, feet-first sculling, and a sculling sequence with a partner
- Treading water for 30 seconds
- Three differently shaped jumps into deep water
- Handstands and forward somersaults
- Knowing how to get help
Efficient Strokes & Water Safety
Strokes become efficient rather than just possible, with proper rhythmic breathing. Children also learn to swim in clothes and perform a basic rescue.
- Preparing properly for exercise, and why it matters
- Rhythmic breathing across all four strokes
- Side push-offs rotating into front crawl and backstroke
- Swimming 25 metres of a chosen stroke to expected standards
- Swimming 10 metres wearing clothes
- Performing a surface dive
- A shout and signal rescue
Stamina, Diving & Bringing It All Together
The final core stage. All four strokes are swum to a good standard over 25 metres, distance builds to 100 metres, and everything learned so far is combined.
- Swimming 25 metres of all four strokes to expected standards
- 50 metres continuously on one stroke
- 100 metres using at least three different strokes
- Treading water with an eggbeater action for 30 seconds
- A sitting dive or full dive
- A group movement sequence linking strokes, sculls and rotations
- Completing an obstacle course with feet off the floor
Summaries in our own words. Full award criteria are on the Swim England website.