Children aged 4 - 16+

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Here follows, the National Plan for Teaching Swimming. The levels are used as guidelines to allocate children to appropriate classes.

The Tom Gresty School treats all swimmers as individuals and after having passed a certain level and distance, teachers use their discretion and consultation with parents when deciding whether the child is ready to be allocated to a higher class.

The following is a guideline and is not used in every case.

Class A & B - Aiming to achieve Puffin, Levels One & Two and 5m or 10m.

Class B + - Must have already achieved Levels One & Two and 5m or 10m. Aiming for Level Three.

Class C - Must have already achieved Levels Three & Four and 25m. Aiming for Level Five.

Class C + - Must have already gained Levels Five & Six . Aiming for Level Seven

Class D - Must have already gained levels 7 & 8 and 200m or more on two strokes. Aiming for Level Nine.

Class D + - Must have gained levels 9 & 10 and 800m. Aiming for Levels Eleven and Twelve.

Non Swimmer (Level 1)

Someone who has little experience of swimming & for whom the pool area is quite a new environment. Lessons will be in the shallow end and will aim to develop general confidence in the water through informal play and less formal structured lessons.

Non swimmer (Level 2)

Someone who is able to travel 5 metres without support or holding onto the side and who doesn't mind putting their face in the water. Someone who can demonstrate basic breast stroke and alternating leg action.

Beginner (Level 3 &4)

Someone who can SWIM at least half a width (with no aids) but not necessarily using recognised strokes. Beginners will be confident in the environment - without holding onto the side and will be able to submerge completely. Levels 3 and 4 will probably be taught in shallow water but may be introduced to deeper water when their teacher believes they are confident.

Improver 1 (Level 5 and 6)

Someone who is able to swim a whole width in deep water (using no aids) and who is confident on top of the water as well as underneath it. Improvers can use all 3 swimming strokes and show controlled breathing.

Improver 2 (Level 7 and 8)

Someone who is able to swim lengths of the pool using any of the 3 strokes and at least 10m of butterfly. Level 7 to Level 8 will be swimming lengths of the pool and working in lanes. Once Level 7 and 8 are achieved, swimmers would be ready to join a local competitive swimming club should they desire.

Advanced (Level 9 and 10)

Someone who is able to swim lengths of the pool efficiently and effectively on all 4 strokes. They will proficient in using the pace clock, applying lane discipline and feel confident to try a wider range of associated aquatic disciplines leading to the development of a greater awareness and expertise in general water safety and survival swimming.