THE SWIMMING DEVELOPMENT AWARD SCHEME

We are committed to providing a well established and progressive swimming development scheme with lessons for everyone from babies through to adults.  We aim to provide a quality service by:
  •  Using qualified ASA swimming teachers
  • Offering a wide range of classes from toddlers and beginners through to advanced swimmers
  • Using quality equipment during the lessons
  • Ensuring that all children receive half an hour of teacher contact time for all lessons, other than the Advanced classes which run for 45 minutes.  Adult classes also run for 45 minutes
  • The swim scheme is supported by the National Plan for Teaching Swimming
  • Providing every child with a progress report at the end of each term with an up to date record of their achievements, and indicating the class for new term enrolment.
  • A priority enrolment scheme offering those children on the scheme a place for the new term
  • Ensuring that all children on our waiting list are contacted to arrange their new class before joining the swim scheme
The swim scheme is supported by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) National Plan for Teaching Swimming.  Children will receive these awards once they have passed the test criteria.  The Aquababe classes are supported by the Duckling Awards.  The Puffin award is achieved in the Toddler and Beginner classes, progressing through the ASA National Swim Awards Levels 1 - 10. We also use the Challenge awards, taking children from Challenge One through to Gold Challenge with all distance achievements complemented by the Rainbow Distance awards.  Adult classes are also supported by the ASA Adult awards.

For an indication of the awards criteria, please see our notice board or visit the ASA website.

   
How do I book my child onto the Swimming Development Scheme? Once you have decided to enrol your child onto the swim scheme, you need to fill in an application form as soon as possible.  Our Toddler and Beginner classes are heavily subscribed and a large intake does occur each term.  Please remember your child cannot enter the swim scheme until they are 4 1/2 years old.  That does not mean you cannot apply for lessons in advance.  Your application will be kept on file and you will be contacted when there is a place available.  The Swimming Development Scheme classes run in line with school term times.  For full details please contact the swimming pool on 01748 824581 or e-mail us.
   
People with disability Richmondshire Leisure Trust welcomes people of all abilities and has endeavoured to make facilities at the pool accessible for everyone.  Wherever possible we integrate swimmers with disabilities into our main swimming programmes.
ADULT SWIMMING LESSONS

Adult swimming classes take place on Monday afternoons and Tuesday afternoons and evenings.  Duration is 45 minutes.  Adult classes are informed with development and progression at your own pace.  There are 4 main categories:

Beginners 'Never too old to learn' is the motto of these classes!  They are held in the shallow end of the main pool, with some access to the teaching pool.
Improvers These classes are held for adults who are comfortable with deeper water and adjusting to swimming lengths.
Advanced For adults who are confident with swimming lengths and using the deeper water
Advanced Plus For adults who are competent at swimming lengths.  Building stamina, stroke technique and skills.
   
WATER AWARENESS CLASSES  
Before joining the Childrens' Swimming Scheme at the age of 4 1/2 years, your child can begin to develop water confidence from the age of 5 months in the Aquababe classes.  

 

  AQUABABES

5 months - 4 1/2 years:  Aquababe classes are divided into the following age groups:

Group A: 5 - 18 months
Group B: 18 months - 3 years
Group C: 3 - 4 1/2 years

Classes take place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and are of 30 minutes duration.  Every pupil must be accompanied in the water by an adult.  An ASA qualified teacher will also be in the water.  Children must have completed their triple injections before joining Aquababes.

Classes are not formal but adhere to safety in and around the pool.  Classes are aimed at the adult to help the child gain confidence and mobility in the water.  Due to their young age, Group A children run on a half term basis.  Groups B and C run for the full term.  Children will feed into the main Swimming Development Scheme having completed the final class of Aquababes, subject to available space.  For more details about our Aquababe classes, ask for our separate information leaflet or CLICK here.

   
TODDLERS - 4 1/2 years 30 minute duration

The toddler class is the first step into the main swimming development scheme.  The class takes place in the shallow end of the teaching pool.  Children will attend without an adult in the water and will work in a group environment.  The aims of the class will be to build water confidence with an introduction to working with floats.  Associated award: PUFFIN AWARD.

 

Childrens' Swimming Development Scheme

 
Beginner A
5 years +    30 minutes duration

The class takes place in the shallow end of the teaching pool.  These classes are aimed at non-swimmers and beginners.  As with the Toddler class, children will build on water confidence.  The aims of the class are to introduce a basic push and glide on both front and back, with an introduction to kicking and a basic arm action.  Working with floats is still an important factor in this Class.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level One
     Puffin Award

 

Beginner B
30 minutes duration

The class either runs in lengths of the teaching pool or is at the deep end.  These classes are aimed at the more confident beginner.  Children need to know and be confident in handling floats.  The aims of the class are to develop leg kick and basic arm action, an introduction to basic water skills and beginning to work without floats.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Two
     5 metre Rainbow Distance

 

Beginner C
Pre requisite - 5 metres unaided
30 minutes duration

The class is held in the deep end of the teaching pool.  Children need to be confident at working without floats on front and back.  The aims of the class are to introduce and develop an overarm recovery action for both front crawl and backstroke.  Breaststroke will be introduced and developed.  There will be an introduction and some work in the main pool in preparation for moving up.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Three and Four
    10 metre Rainbow Distance

 

Post Beginner A
Pre requisite - 10 metres unaided
30 minutes duration

The class is held in the shallow end of the main pool.  Children need to be confident in the deeper water.  The aims of the class are further development of front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.  Underwater swimming, sculling and treading water will be introduced.  There will be an introduction to the deep end of the main pool and swimming in lengths.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Five
     25 metre Rainbow Distance
 

 

Post Beginner B
30 minutes duration

The class works in lengths against the wall.   Children need to be confident in the deeper water and be comfortable swimming lengths.  Continual development of the three main strokes, water skills and an introduction to the butterfly leg kick, sitting and standing dives will be introduced.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Six
     50 metre Rainbow Distance
     ASA Challenge One
 

 

Post Beginner C
30 minutes duration

The class works in lengths.  Children need to be confident in their strokes and at swimming lengths.  Developing further with stroke technique, water skills and stamina.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Seven
     100 metre Rainbow Distance
     ASA Challenge One
 

 

Intermediate
30 minutes duration

The class works in lengths.  Children need to have a sound knowledge of all three main strokes and have reasonable stamina.  Butterfly will be introduced as a full stroke and a further development of all water skills including diving and turns at the wall.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Eight
     200 metre Rainbow Distance
     ASA Challenge Two
 

 

Post Intermediate
30 minutes duration

The class works in lengths.  Children need to be proficient in all three main strokes and confident in swimming lengths.  Continual development of all water skills and stroke technique.
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Nine
     400 metre Rainbow Distance
     Bronze Challenge
 

 

Advanced
45 minutes duration

This is the final class in our Swimming Development Scheme.  Children need to be proficient in all strokes and swim distance without undue stress.  An introduction to some race techniques - starts and turns.  Children will become competent in all strokes and water skills and basic survival skills..
     Associated Awards
     NSA Level Ten
     800 metre Rainbow Distance
     Silver and Gold Challenge
 
 

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