Whitchurch Swimming Centre
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Learn to Swim at Whitchurch Swimming Centre

At Whitchurch Swimming Centre we deliver our swimming lessons through the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme’ – the most successful programme of its kind.    

Our all-inclusive programme takes your child from their first splash to developing confidence and competence in the water in an enjoyable and safe environment.

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Why Choose our Swimming Lessons?
  • We can teach children of any age or ability, starting with our baby/pre-school sessions
  • Our instructors are friendly and fully qualified teachers
  • Our class sizes follow the Swim England recommendations 
  • Pay by Direct Debit and your child will receive  unlimited  swimming outside of lessons free 
  • Badges and certificates awarded on the completion of each level (at an additional charge)

 

The Scheme


Pre School Discovery Ducklings
The swimmer’s ‘journey through aquatics’ starts with the Discovery Ducklings programme for developing water confidence in early years, encouraged through sessions such as ‘adult and child’ and pre-school sessions.

Stages 1-7
A unique pathway of skills and swimming techniques designed to improve strength and stamina in water. Ensures children progress at their own
pace to achieve a high standard of swimming ability.
 
Stages 8

Challenge Awards - Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Honours designed to challenge, test skills and stamina.
 

Stages 8-10
For children who wish to develop their technique and stamina, who may also wish to swim at a competitive level.
 
Private Lessons
These are also available for those who need additional encouragement with 1-2-1 support from a qualified teacher.
 
Alpha
This provides the attention needed in small groups for those with a disability or special needs.


WHICH STAGE IS BEST FOR ME? 

 

Your Journey Through the Scheme

 
 
 
Pre School Stages 1-2
Ages 3 - 18 months

The swimmer’s ‘journey through aquatics’ starts with the Discovery Ducklings programme for developing water confidence in early years, encouraged through sessions such as ‘adult and child’ and pre-school sessions.

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Duckling Grade 1
1. Make a supervised safe entry with adult support
2. Kick 2 metres on the back with adult support
3. Float on the back with adult support behind the head
4. Blow bubbles at the water surface
5. Wet the head without submersion
6. Travel without assistance 2 metres to a floating object. (It is recommended that appropriate buoyancy aid be used).

Duckling Grade 2
1. Make a sitting entry with adult support
2. Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres
3. Using a baby seat or other buoyancy aid, rotate through 180degrees without assistance
4. Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without assistance
5. Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without assistance
6. Submerge the face with confidence

Award: Duckling Stage 1 -2

 

 
  
 
Pre School Stages 3-4
Ages 18 months - 3 years
 
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Duckling Grade 3
1. Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support
2. Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float)
3. Blow bubbles with the mouth underwater
4. Float on front OR back without adult support
5. Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool
6. Show a torpedo shape on front or back when pushed to a partner

Duckling Grade 4
1. Jump unaided, but supervised, into the water
2. Submerge completely
3. Rotate through 360° either horizontally or vertically
4. Show a mushroom OR a star float
5. Travel without assistance 10 metres on the front OR back
6. Climb out of the water with assistance if required

Award: Duckling Stage 3 -4

 

 
  
 
Stage 1
Age 3 - 4yrs+ Non Swimmers (Red Hat)

Suitable for children who are aged 3-4 with no previous experience. Developing basic safety awareness the ‘class scenario’, basic movement skills and water confidence.

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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

Award: Stage 1
 
 
   
 
Stage 2
5 Metres (Orange Hat)

Suitable for children who are in full time education with no previous experience. Developing safe entries into water, including
jumping in, basic floating, travel and unaided rotation to regain upright positions.

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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

Award: Stage 2 & 5 metres
 
 
   
 
Stage 3
10 Metres (Yellow Hat)

For children over 5 year and who have completed stage 2. Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on their front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge.

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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 frontn an upright position

Award: Stage 3 & 10 metres

 

 
   
 
Stage 4
15 Metres (Green Hat)

For children who have completed 10 metres on front and back and who have completed stage 3. Developing the understanding of a
range of skills refining kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 20 metres.

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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

Award: Stage 4, 20 metres, 5metres breaststroke & 5 metres butterfly

 

 
   
 
Stage 5
20 Metres (Blue Hat)

For children who can swim 20 metres on front and back and have achieved stage 4. Developing skills and competence in sculling
and treading water, completing a rotation and demonstrating good stroke techniques across all four strokes.

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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 
7. Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water 
8. Swim 10 metres breaststroke
9. Swim 10 metres butterfly 
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

Award: Stage 5, 25 metres, 10 metres breaststroke & 10 metres butterfly

 

 
   
 
Stage 6
25 Metres (Indigo Hat)

For children who can swim 25 metres on both front and back and who have achieved stage 5. Developing effective swimming skills including
co-ordinated breathing, developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise. Children will be able to swim 50
metres on front and back and be working to achieve their personal survival award.

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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
6. Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths
7. Swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths
8. Swim 25 metres, choice of stroke
9. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue
10. Perform a surface dive
11. Exit the water without using steps

Award: Stage 6, 50 metres & Personal survival level 1

 

 
   
 
Stage 7
50 Metres (Violet Hat)

For children who have achieved stage 6 and can confidently swim 50 metres front and back. Developing quality stroke technique and aiming
to gain 100 metres awards across 3 strokes. This stage then encourages stamina and the goal of 200 metres should be achieved with touch
turns being introduced.

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1. Swim 25 metres backstroke
2. Swim 25 metres front crawl
3. Swim 25 metres breaststroke
4. Swim 25 metres butterfly
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


Award: Stage 7, 1000 metres, 200 metres & Personal survival level 2

 

 
      
  
                                                
Stage 8,9,&10

Challenge Awards

 
Stage 8,9,&10

Rookie Lifeguard & Diving

 
Stage 8,9,&10

Competitive
Swimming

 
Stage 9

Developing speed and endurance aiming to
achieve 800 metres

 
    
Stage 10

Competitive swimming,
with further development in endurance  swimming 

 

 
How do I get started?

First steps...

Decide on the stage you think your child should start at, then talk to our reception team to see which sessions are available.

Pay by Direct Debit to spread the cost of your lessons over 12 months. Provide us with your contact details so we can keep you informed of your child’s progress.

Register for the parent portal to keep a track of your child’s progress and the criteria they are working towards. If your child has a medical condition, please let reception know so this can be added to their details.

Enquire here online; we'll check what courses we have available; and give you a call/email back, or call us on 0345 0007 005

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**For cancellation details and other terms and conditions.

£24.50 PERBY DIRECT
MONTHDEBIT
£52.00 PERBeACTIVE
COURSE10 WEEKS
£62.50 PERNon-Member
COURSE10 WEEKS
£28.00 PERCONNCESSION
COURSE10 WEEKS
BUY MEMBERSHIP




 

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