What Class is right for my child?
STARFISH Series
6 weeks to 2 years old
STARFISH is an innovative series of 6 progressive awards designed to introduce babies from a few months old with the accompanying adult to a water adventure where water confidence and safety skills are introduced.
Please refer to the ILSP Resources Manual for further recommendations.
The series is undertaken in shallow water with the guardian in the water holding and supporting the baby. Buoyancy aids may be worn but they are not necessary as the guardian is holding the baby throughout. It is important that the baby is also supported properly, including the head; eye contact should always be maintained and words of encouragement frequently given.
STAnley Series
2-5 year olds
The STAnley First Steps Series is an exciting series of 7 progressive awards specifically designed to teach learners from 2 years – with or without an accompanying adult – basic swimming and water safety skills.
A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest. We believe the best way to achieve this is to create safe environments in which children can be introduced to the water whilst having fun and by providing a progressive learn to swim programme that is both challenging and rewarding.
This series culminates with the STAnley Star award, which covers all the skills in the 7 awards ensuring that the learner is competent and confident in and around water.
Octopus Series
5-8 year olds
The Octopus series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards specifically designed for child aged between 5 to 8 years old.
This enables older children to access the Learn to Swim pathway and develop their confidence, knowledge and skills. We believe the best way to achieve this is to create safe environments in which children can be introduced to the water whilst having fun and by providing a progressive learn to swim programme that is both challenging and rewarding.
On completion of the Octopus series, learners can progress through the Learn to Swim journey and move on to the Goldfish, Angelfish and Shark series. A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest.
Goldfish Series
Progressing swimmers
This programme is designed to be the next stage for swimmers who have progressed through either the STAnley First Steps Series or Octopus Series.
The Goldfish series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards expanding on skills in a fun, progressive, challenging and rewarding way.
On completion of this series, swimmers will be able to swim 15 metres without any aid as well as perform basic floats.This programme is designed to be the next stage for swimmers who have progressed through either the STAnley First Steps Series or Octopus Series.
The Goldfish series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards expanding on skills in a fun, progressive, challenging and rewarding way.
On completion of this series, swimmers will be able to swim 15 metres without any aid as well as perform basic floats.
Shark Series
Progressing swimmers
On completion of the Angelfish Series, learners progress to the Shark Series. This series educates learners in basic water rescue and survival techniques as well as starts and turns for each of the strokes. On completion of the series learners will be able to swim 100 metres
Angelfish Series
Progressing swimmers
Once swimmers have completed the Goldfish Series they can progress to the Angelfish Series. On completion of the 3 progressive awards in this series, swimmers will be capable of swimming 25 metres without aid, perform butterfly stroke as well as mastering sculling techniques and entries to the water.