Swim School

The Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim lessons are based on Swim England Learn to Swim Framework (Stages 1 – 7), Swim England Aquatic Skills (Stages 8 – 10 swimming) incorporated within stages 8 – 10  are Challenge Awards Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim teachers are Swim England SEQ Qualified Level 2 Teaching Swimming and are DBS checked. Our teachers are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

We cannot guarantee that you will be with the same teacher for consecutive terms.

Aims of Stages

Helps to build water confidence, while introducing water safety skills and the basic skills needed to build swimming ability.

1. Enter the water safely.
2. Move forward for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
4. Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
5. Scoop the water and wash the face.
6. Be comfortable with water showered from overhead.
7. Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing.
8. Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing.
9. Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall.
10. Push and glide in a flat position on the back from a wall.
11. Give examples of two pool rules.
12. Exit the water safely.

Sees swimmers develop streamlining to their strokes and travel without their feet on the floor, using a recognised leg kick.

1. Jump in from poolside safely.
2. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.
3. Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing without support.
4. Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing without support.
5. Push from a wall and glide on the back – arms can be by the side or above the head.
6. Push from a wall and glide on the front with arms extended.
7. Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the back for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.
8. Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the front for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.
9. Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the front, to a back floating position, then return to standing.
10. Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the back, to a front floating position, then return to standing.
11. Perform a log roll from the back to the front.
12. Perform a log roll from the front to the back.
13. Exit the water without support.

Swimmers will develop their kicks, on both their front and their back.

1. Jump in from poolside and submerge.
2. Sink, push away from wall 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 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back.
6. Fully submerge to pick up an object.
7. Correctly identify three of the four key water safety messages.*
8. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the back.
9. Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the front.
10. Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.
11. Exit the water without using steps.

*The four key water safety messages include:

• Always swim in a safe place.
• Always swim with an adult.
• If you fall in, float, breathe, relax.
• If someone else in trouble, call 999/112.

Sees swimmers perfect their leg kicks for all four strokes and further develop push and glides, while also being introduced to sculling.

1. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.
2. Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.
3. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional).
4. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional).
5. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back.
6. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (one item of equipment optional).
7. Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
8. Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.
9. Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.
10. Push and glide and swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional.

Swimmers will develop their skills in treading water, learn the correct arm pulls for all four strokes and learn how to do handstands and somersaults.

1. Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.
2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position 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. Push and glide and swim 10 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
7. Push and glide and swim 10 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).
8. Push and glide and swim 10 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
9. Push and glide and swim 10 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).
10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds.
11. Perform a forward somersault.
12. Demonstrate an action for getting help.

Teaches swimmers how to prepare for exercise, while developing an efficient technique for all four strokes and further developing surface dives.

1. Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.
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. Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
6. Push and glide and swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
7. Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths.
8. Push and glide and swim backstroke to include at least six regular breaths.
9. Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional (performed to Swim England expected standards).
10. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.
11. Perform a surface dive.

Focuses on fully developing all four swimming strokes, as well as building stamina and improving diving skills.

1. Push and glide and swim 25 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
2. Push and glide and swim 25 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).
3. Push and glide and swim 25 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
4. Push and glide and swim 25 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).
5. Perform a movement sequence (linking skills with strokes and sculls) 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 or backward somersault, log roll
   Floating: star on the front or on the back, tuck float, create own
   Eggbeater: Moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water
6. Perform a sitting dive or dive.
7. Push and glide and swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
8. Push and glide and swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes (performed to Swim England expected standards).
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. 1.00 minutes 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.

1. Complete a set lasting 800 metres (either 16 x 50 metres, 8 x 100 metres, 4 x 200 metres) on a specific turnaround time agreed by the teacher or coach (e.g. 1.30 minutes for 50 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
2. Swim 800 metres continuously using one stroke.
3. Swim a continuous 100 metre individual medley (4 x 25 metres) using recognised turns with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
4. Perform a 15 metre underwater kick on front from a push and glide in a streamlined position.
5. Perform a backstroke start then butterfly kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.
6. Perform a front crawl start then kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.
7. Perform a butterfly start then kick in a streamlined position up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.
8. Perform a breaststroke start then perform a one and a half pull underwater. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.

1. Complete a set lasting 1600 metres (either 16 x 100 metres, 8 x 200 metres, 4 x 400 metres) on a specific timed turnaround set by the teacher or coach (e.g. 2.30 minutes for 100 metres), focus on stroke technique and consistency.
2. Swim 1500 metres continuously using one stroke.
3. Perform a continuous 100 metre individual medley kick (4 x 25 metres) without using a kick board.
4. Swim a continuous 200 metre individual medley (4 x 50 metres) using recognised turns.
5. Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an incoming swimmer.
6. Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an outgoing swimmer.

Once completed, these awards prepare swimmers for advancement into competitive swimming.

Learn to Swim lessons for the Winter term T.B.C.:

2022 Summer Term - College Friday
April	22
May	06	13	20	27
June	No lesson (03)	10	17	24
July	01	08	15	22
2022 Summer Term - College Sunday
April	24
May	08	15	22	29
June	No lesson (05)	12	19	26
July	03	10	17	24

Parents / guardians

Parents / guardians must remain on the premises whilst their child is in lessons.

Parents / guardians are not allowed onto poolside.  This is to conform with health & safety guidelines and with our child safeguarding policy.

Child protection

Bishops Stortford Swimming Club Learn to Swim  complies Swim England Wavepower 2020-2023 Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

DownloadChild protection policy

All instructors are qualified, experienced swimming teachers who hold the relevant qualifications and DBS checks.  As some physical contact with your child is unavoidable during your child’s swimming lesson, all staff adhere to Swim England Wavepower 2020-2023 Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Photography / Mobile phones

In accordance with Swim England Child Safeguarding Policies and Procedures any parents or carers of swimmers under the age of 18 who wish to take photographic or video images are requested to focus on their own child as much as reasonably possible and to avoid including other children in those images, particularly if those images are being shared with family and friends through social media platforms.

Mobile phones must not be used in the changing rooms.

Changing rooms

Children aged 7 and older must use the changing rooms appropriate for their gender.

Renewals

• Payment is due one week before the end of the current course, and final payment must be with the Treasurer by the last date of the current course
• Existing swimmers will be given priority for spaces on the next course as long as payment is received on time
• Class times cannot be guaranteed in order to allow for the ongoing progression of all swimmers.  Therefore it may not be possible to ensure the same place and time each course.
• Any places not paid for by the due date will be released to the waiting list.
• Payment should be accompanied by the renewal slip, payments can be made by Bank Transfer, Debit or Credit Card or  by cheque made payable to ‘BSSC’.
• We prefer not to accept cash payments, but will do so in special circumstances in person only.
• On the rare occasions when cheques do not clear, banks charge us a fee.  We shall pass this fee on to you, and we shall require payment within seven days of notification.

Refunds

• Lessons cancelled prior to the start of the course will be subject to a £15.00 administration fee per swimmer.
• Lessons cancelled after the start of the course will not be refunded.
• No refunds will be given for lessons missed unless cancelled by BSSC.

Assessments and feedback

• Each swimmer will be assessed for distance and stage testing each term.
• We operate an ongoing assessment system.
• Children might not receive a badge every term.  Each child progresses at a different rate.
• Each stage of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework has a large syllabus to cover, with swimming technique to learn and many skills to master.  It is not unusual for each stage to take several terms to complete.
• Movement from stage to stage will be made at the end of each course of lessons on completion of all parts of the syllabus.
• If you would like to discuss your child’s development at any point throughout the term, please see one of the Swim School Administrators in the office during Sunday swimming hours.

Medical

A medical form must be completed when commencing lessons with Bishop Stortford Swimming Club.  It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to keep this information up-to-date at all times and inform us of any changes.

Stomach upsets

Your child must be clear of all symptoms for 48 hours before they return to swimming lessons.

Asthma

If your child suffers from asthma please ensure your child uses their inhaler before lessons and has their reliever with them on poolside.

Chicken pox

Children must not attend lessons until at least two weeks after the last sore has scabbed over.

If you are in any doubt as to whether you should bring your child to swimming lessons, please contact the Swim School Administrator.

Swimwear

Boys – close fitting trunks must be worn – not baggy swimshorts.

Girls – swimming costumes must be worn – not bikinis or two-piece swimwear.

It is a requirement for girls (and boys with longer hairstyles) to wear swim hats for lessons.

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim programme provides high quality swimming lessons based on the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework.  Our Learn to Swim lessons have some of the lowest teacher pupil ratios in the area with a maximum of 8 swimmers per lesson.

Lessons are held in two locations, Bishops Stortford College Pool on Sundays between 3:00pm and 6:00pm and Leventhorpe School Pool on Mondays and Wednesday between 4:15pm and 5:15pm.

For further information please visit our Learn to Swim pages or alternatively you can contact us by email.