Learn to Swim

Learn to Swim lessons for the Winter term are as follows:

Leventhorpe Monday
September	09	16	23	30
October	07	14	21
November	04	11	18	25
December	02	09	15
Leventhorpe Wednesday
September	04	11	18	25
October	02	09	16	23
November	06	13	20	27
December	04	11	18
College Sunday
September	08	15	22	29
October	06	13	20
November	03	10	17	24
December	01	08	15

The Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim lessons are based on the ASA Learn to Swim Framework incorporating Stages 1 – 10  and Challenge Awards Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim teachers are Amateur Swimming Association (the ASA) Qualified to a Level 2 standard and are CRB 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

Stage 1 (mainly in teaching pool, with occasional visits to shallow end of main pool)

Developing basic safety awareness in a class scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills.

Stage 2 (Teaching pool or shallow end of main pool)

Developing safe entries to the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel and rotation, unaided to regain upright positions.

Stage 3

Developing safe entries including submersion, travel 10 metres on their front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge.

Stage 4

Developing  the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 10 metres to a given standard as directed by the ASA.

Stage 5

Developing watermanship through sculling and treading water skills and complete rotation, also performing all strokes to the given standard as directed by the ASA.

Stage 6

Developing effective swimming skills including co-ordinated breathing, developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise.

Stage 7

Developing quality stroke technique over 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout the stages 1-7.

Stage 8

To develop more advaned swimming techniques working towards ASA Expected Standard in turns Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.

Stage 9

To develop more advanced swimming techniques working towards ASA Expected Standard in starts Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.

Stage 10

To develop more advanced swimming techniques in streamlining and Freestyle relay takeovers.

Bronze, Silver & Gold Challenge Awards

Develop all strokes to ASA standard, working on both speed and stamina to ensure stroke technique is maintained.

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

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 protection policy.

Child protection

Bishops Stortford Swimming Club Learn to Swim  complies with the ASA Child Protection Policy and Procedures.  National Standards have been developed by the NSPCC that aim to promote best practice so that a safe environment for children and young children is achieved.

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 the ASA Child Protection guidelines.

Photography / Mobile phones

Due to the Child Protection Act, we cannot and do not allow any filming in, or around, the swimming pool. If anyone is found to be taking pictures or filming we will ask them to stop immediately and may ask for the photos/film to be destroyed.

Mobile phones must not be used whilst lessons are in progress due to the prevalence of camera phones.

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, or call the dedicated swim line 07803 329802.

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 call 07803 329802.

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.

Changing rooms

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

Car parking

Please use the main car park.