The Swim England Learn to Swim Programme
The Swim England Learn to Swim Programme is the leading national teaching syllabus for delivering safe, inclusive and effective swimming lessons for all ages.
The Programme was developed by experts in collaboration with professional teachers and coaches and is grounded in the Athlete Development Support Pathway.
The inclusion of an exciting Awards scheme serves as a motivational tool for learners at every stage.
The Programme comprises of three Frameworks:
1. Pre-School Framework
The Pre-School Framework is the first part of the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. It promotes early water confidence and basic motor skills and underpins Stages 1-7.
- Discovery Duckling 1-4 Awards - Download here
- Duckling 1-4 Awards - Download here
- I CAN Awards - View here
- Adult and Child Award - View here
2. Learn to Swim Framework
The Learn to Swim Framework is about developing confident and competent learners through fun and enjoyment, with Stages 1-7 being at the core of the Programme. It is the most widely known Framework for swimming lessons for children and is the backbone of swimming lessons for primary school children aged four and above.
Each of the seven Stages of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework have a clear set of targets for the learner to meet so that they can progress to the next Stage.
- Learn to Swim Stages 1-7 Awards - Download here
- Rainbow Distance (including Puffin) Awards - View here
- Rainbow Distance Stroke Awards - View here
- Water Safety Awards - View here
- Water Skills Awards - View here
- Alpha Step 1-3 Awards - View here
3. Aquatic Skills Framework
The Aquatic Skills Framework (Learn to Swim Stages 8-10) follows on from the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework (Stages 1-7). It is targeted at swimmers who have achieved the basic fundamental movement skills and helps them to build and develop sport-specific skills in one of the four disciplines: Diving, Swimming, Artistic Swimming and Water Polo.
- Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Swimming Awards - Download here
- Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Diving Awards - Download here
- Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Artistic Swimming Awards - Download here
- Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 Water Polo Awards - Download here
- Rainbow Distance Awards - View here
- Swimming Challenge Awards - View here
Adult Swimming
The Adult Swimming Framework is a national syllabus specifically designed to meet adult needs and motivations.
It caters for a range of abilities, from non-swimmers and nervous swimmers to those who want to build confidence. It helps develop swimming skills and improve stroke skills and technique.
- Adult Learn to Swim Awards - Download here
Swim England Clubs
After finishing the Learn to Swim Programme, learners might go on to join a Swim England Club and achieve Swim England Club Awards. These are a progression from Learn to Swim Awards.
- Club Awards - View here
Contact us
Want to hear more about the Learn to Swim Programme? Contact our team at [email protected].