Swim England Learn to Swim Stages
Our award structure starts at Stage 1 and follows the Swim England Development Pathway to Stage 8.
1. Enter the water safely
2. Move forwards for a distance of 5 metres
3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres
4. Move sideways for distance of 5 metres
5. Scoop the water and wash face
6. Be at ease with water showered from overhead
7. Move into a stretched floating position using aids,equipment or support
8. Regain an upright position from on the back with support
9. Regain an upright position from on the front with support
10. Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall
11. Take part in a teacher-led partner orientated game
12. Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules
13. Exit the water safely
1. Jump in from poolside safely
2. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged
3. Regain upright position from the back without support
4. Regain an upright position from the front without support
5. Push from wall and glide on the back
6. Push from wall and glide on the front
7. Travel on the back for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used
8. Travel on the front for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used
9. Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position
10. Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position
1. Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 0.9m)
2. Sink, push away from wall on side 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 on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back.
6. Fully submerge to pick up an object
7. Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code
8. Travel 10 metres on the back
9. Travel 10 metres on the front
1. Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy
2. Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds
3. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating at the surface
4. Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor
5. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional)
6. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional)
7. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back
8. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the back (equipment optional)
9. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (equipment optional)
10. Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position
11. Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement onto front
12. Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement onto back
13. Swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional
1. Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back
2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal 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. Swim 10 metres backstroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
7. Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
8. Swim 10 metres breaststroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
9. Swim 10 metres butterfly (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds
11. Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water
12. Demonstrate an action for getting help
1. Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise
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. Swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
6. Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
7. Swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
8. Swim 25 metres, choice of stroke • is optional (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
9. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue
10. Perform a surface dive**
11. Exit the water without using steps
1. Swim 25 metres backstroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
2. Swim 25 metres front crawl (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
3. Swim 25 metres breaststroke (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
4. Swim 25 metres butterfly (refer to the ASA expected stroke standards sheet)
5. Perform a movement sequence of 1 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
6. Perform a sitting dive
7. Swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke
8. Swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes
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
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 minute 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.