Grades

STA’s Learn to Swim Programme (LSP) is a series of 7 progressive grades designed as a comprehensive and engaging programme. The LSP recognises that participants can join the scheme at different ages and abilities so there is a starting grade suitable for everyone.

The scheme focuses on water confidence, water safety and movement in the water throughout every grade, with progressive practices to challenge and increase the confidence of participants completing the LSP. The scheme aims to provide a complete progressive aquatic pathway for participants to develop into well-rounded swimmers, as well as introducing other aquatic disciplines for participants to enjoy, such as lifesaving skills, water polo, artistic swimming and competitive skills.

STA’s Learn to Swim Programme (LSP) provides free resource packs for teachers and support packs for anyone involved in the aquatic journey, further information to support participants throughout this aquatic journey can be found within these packs.

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Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids may be used unless stated’

1. Answer two water safety questions about the pool rules
2. Enter the pool safely
3. Move through the water confidently in different ways
4. Swim 5m using front paddle and 5m using back paddle
5. Attempt a treading water action with the legs
6. Travel through a shower of water
7. Blow bubbles in the water
8. Push and glide on the front and back
9. Perform a star float on the back and front
10. Exit the pool safely.

Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids may be used unless stated’

1. Answer two water safety questions about the pool environment
2. Enter the water, turn around and return to poolside
3. Push and glide and swim front paddle for 10m
4. Push and glide and swim back paddle for 10m
5. Attempt breaststroke legs on front or back
6. Attempt an undulating movement on front or back for 2m
7. Submerge face and blow bubbles
8. Perform a float on the back and log roll to the front
9. Swim forward 2m, log roll, swim on back for 2m, roll to vertical position
10. Perform treading water for 10 seconds.

Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids must NOT be used unless stated’

1. Understand the water safety code
2. Enter with a slide in entry and tread water for 10 seconds
3. Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 10m, participant’s first choice
4. Push and glide into back crawl for 10m
5. Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 5m, participant’s second choice
6. Push and glide and perform dolphin leg action on the front or back for 5m
7. Submerge underwater and retrieve an object
8. Scull head or feet first for 2m
9. Enter with a step or jump entry, swim 5m on front, rotate to the back and swim back to starting point
10. Perform a mushroom float and hold for 5 seconds, extend to a front float and return to vertical position.

Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids must NOT be used unless stated’

1. Take part in a rescue with a reaching aid
2. Enter with a slide in entry, tread water for 20 seconds, swim to poolside and climb out
3. Push and glide into front crawl or breaststroke for 15m, participant’s first choice
4. Push and glide into back crawl for 15m
5. Push and glide into front crawl or breaststroke for 10m, participant’s second choice
6. Perform dolphin leg action on the front for 10m
7. Attempt a handstand with both hands on pool floor
8. Scull head first for 5m and feet first for 5m
9. Push and glide to pool floor, retrieve an object, tuck and resurface
10. Swim 10m of lifesaving backstroke or sidestroke.

Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids must NOT be used unless stated’

1. Take part in a rescue with a buoyant aid or rope
2. Perform a step / straddle entry, tread water for 30 seconds, perform a 360° turn in a vertical position whilst wearing a t-shirt, remove t-shirt and climb out
3. Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 25m, participant’s first choice with correct finish
4. Push and glide into back crawl for 25m, with correct finish
5. Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 20m, participant’s second choice with correct finish
6. Push and glide and attempt butterfly arms for 10m
7. Perform a head first and feet first surface dive
8. Scull head first for 15m and feet first for 15m
9. Perform a backwards / forwards somersault
10. Swim 25m of lifesaving backstroke or sidestroke.

Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids must NOT be used unless stated’

1. Perform a shout and signal rescue to a weak swimmer 5m away
2. Perform a lifesaving sequence – Step in entry, swim 10 metres in clothing, tread water for 1 minute, remove clothing and climb out unassisted
3. Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 50m, with correct finish
4. Push and glide into back crawl for 50m, with correct finish
5. Swim 75m, performing 3 recognised strokes with a smooth transition
6. Perform an undulating movement underwater through a submerged hoop
7. Push and glide into a forwards somersault
8. Tread water using eggbeater leg kick for 30 seconds
9. Perform a kneeling dive
10. Swim 5m of a recognised front stroke, perform a feet first or head first surface dive and swim 5m underwater.

Learning Outcomes

‘Buoyancy aids must NOT be used unless stated’

1. Swim with a rescue tube for 5m
2. Perform an advanced lifesaving sequence – step in / straddle entry, swim 25 metres in clothing, tread water for 1 minute using eggbeater action, surface dive, swim underwater for 3 metres, resurface, remove clothing and climb out unassisted
3. Swim either front crawl or breaststroke for 100m, participant’s first choice
4. Swim back crawl for 100m
5. Swim either front crawl or breaststroke for 50m, participant’s second choice
6. Swim butterfly for 25m
7. Perform a head first surface dive, pick up a sinkable from the pool floor, resurface, tread water for 1 minutes whilst waving one arm
8. Throw a ball to a target point, swim head up front crawl to the ball, tread water for 20 seconds whilst holding the ball out of the water, bring ball to the side using polo crawl
9. Perform a plunge dive
10. Swim 50m of lifesaving backstroke or sidestroke.