Guidance to Support Schools Swimming

Guidance to Support Schools Swimming

Birmingham Schools Guidance & Award Scheme SWIMMING In terms of National Curriculum levels if pupils are working at the: Non-swimmer stage - this equates to pre-level 1 into level 1 National Curriculum and = Birmingham Award level relating to acquire and develop strand. Beginner stage - this equates to top level 1 into level 2 National Curriculum and = Birmingham Award 2A and 2B relating to acquire and develop strand. Improver stage - this equates to top level 2 into level 3 National Curriculum and = Birmingham Award 3A and 3B relating to the acquire and develop strand of National Curriculum. Intermediate stage - this equates to Top Level 3 into level 4 and = Birmingham Award 4A and 4B relating to the acquire and develop strand of National Curriculum. Established children who are working above the expected level of attainment/achievement for KS2. They can swim a 100m IM and are probably club swimmers Award 5. 1

Description of a Non-swimmer Non-swimmers may be anxious or confident. Their emotional state will affect their rate of progress. Anxious swimmers benefit greatly from adult support. The pupils may work with buoyancy aids or adult support. They are working towards being horizontal when moving through water. This award is linked to the National Curriculum pre-stage 1. Learning objectives relating to 4 strands of National Curriculum. These are the general learning objectives for non-swimmers. Acquiring and developing skills Demonstrate safe entry into water Walk confidently, safely and independently in and around water Use basic actions to move around and across the pool using swimming aids and supports. Put their face in the water Selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas Explore, find and choose different ways of moving in the water using arms and legs, and to feel the support or the water. Use basic alternating arm and leg actions to propel themselves through the water in both upright and horizontal positions. Knowledge and understanding of fitness and health Recognise and describe how the temperature of the water affects their bodies and the way they swim Explain and show how to get themselves warm in the water and ready to swim. Follow safe routines and rules in and around water. Evaluating and improving performance Watch and copy what others have done Describe and explain their own and others actions, skills and ideas Recognise actions that work better than others Recognise the need to follow safety rules in and around water. 2

SCHOOL SWIM SCHEME NON-SWIMMERS STAGE 1 Demonstrate the ability to enter water safely By using steps By swivel entry Blow bubbles for 5 seconds Submerge body by bending knees Controlled walking, with and without aids Float vertically using aids Float horizontally on front and back using aids Roll over from horizontal position and stand up Swim using arms and legs, using a buoyancy aid such as a noddle Demonstrate ability to rotate by kicking legs in a vertical position, feet lifted from bottom of pool, using buoyancy aids Additional ideas for non-swimmers are obtainable from QCA: include core tasks: Noah s Ark Wacky Wickets All Change In Touch Funky Travel Time Challenge Sculling for non-swimmers Treading Water for non-swimmers Entries for non-swimmers Exits for non-swimmers Regaining Standing Position for Non-Swimmers Strokes 3

1. Entry Children should be taught to enter the water safely at all times Backwards down the steps Face the steps Hold on with both hands One step at a time Sit on side, feet in water Place hands to one side of body Swivel on to front Slide into water in controlled manner Children should be taught to exit the water safely at all times Forwards up the steps - Face the steps - Hold on with both hands - One step at a time 2. Breathing/put face in water Blow bubbles (Progression from just the chin in the water to the whole face) (QCA 9a) Wash face - pour water over head (watering can), try to keep eyes open Chin on the water-move whilst blowing an egg flip. - Chin on the water - Blow bubbles - Keep your nose close to the egg flip Mouth in the water -move whilst pushing a ball with their nose and blowing bubbles. - Push the ball with your nose - Mouth in the water - Blow bubbles Face in the water -move whilst pushing a float with their forehead and blowing bubbles. - Push the float with your forehead - Face in the water - Blow bubbles 3. Submerge body by bending knees - Bobbing up and down in water - Work with a friend and wave to each other - Put faces in water to each other - Talk to a friend under the water and try to work out what they are saying - Touch pool floor with different body parts 4

4. Controlled walking and jumping Move through the water on your feet with control, using your arms for balance (QCA 9d) Partner/group tag games Follow the leader Races Move in different directions - Scoop the water with your hands - Big reaches - Make spoon with your hands 5. Float on back and front with an aid. (QCA 9b) Float using an appropriate aid e.g. arm bands, rings, woggle, then with a float held in each hand and then using one float. Back Front - Pretend you are asleep - Ears in the water - Tummy up - Stretch - Chin/ face on/in the water (depending on confidence) - Stretch - Long straight legs 6. Roll over and stand up. (QCA 9c) With or without arm bands (depending on child s confidence) Child starts by lying on their back - Pretend you are lying on your bed - Roll on to your tummy - Bend your knees and bring them to your tummy - Lift your head - Stand down - Rotate through 360 in vertical position with float under back arm - Kick round with legs 7. Kick legs on the front and back using 2 floats or noddle (QCA 9b/c) Front Using 2 floats or arm bands/rings/noddle (encourage children to put chin on the water and develop to face in the water) - Long legs - Keep your knees straight - Fast little kicks - Point your toes Back Using 2 floats or arm bands/rings (encourage ears in the water, eyes looking up and tummy up) - Long legs - Keep your knees in the water - Kick from your hips - Fast little kicks - Point your toes

Swimming using arms and legs with minimum or no buoyancy aids. (QCA 9d) Use the following teaching points to focus on children s areas that require improvement/development. Body Position - Chin resting on the water or face in the water (depending on child s confidence) - Long stretched body Leg Action - Long legs - Keep your knees straight - Fast little kicks - Point your toes Arm action - Fingers together like spoons - Long reaches - Pull all the way back to your legs - Big slow stretches Timing - Fast legs - Slow arms - Remember to blow bubbles 6

STAGE 1 NON SWIMMER WITH AIDS Name Entry Breathing Submerge Movement Floating Rotation with aid Swim Steps Swivel entry Blow bubbles for 5 seconds face in water Submerge body by bending Controlled walking and jumping forwards and backwards using arms or aids for balance Forward Backward Float with aids vertically with feet off bottom and horizontally on front and back Roll over from horizontal position and stand up Swim using arms and legs, using a buoyancy aid 7

Description of Beginners The pupils are more often horizontal than vertical when moving through water. They rarely work with buoyancy aids or adult support. This award is linked to Level 1 - Level 2 National Curriculum. Learning objectives These are the general learning objectives for beginners Acquiring and developing skills Remember, repeat and link actions effectively when moving on and below the surface of the water. Swim short distances (5 to 15 metres) confidently, with little or no support from others and with few or no swimming aids. Begin to develop skills of treading water. Selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas Choose and co-ordinate actions so they remain balanced and in control of their bodies while floating or swimming through the water Choose safe ways of getting in and out of water, and of playing around others. Knowledge and understanding of fitness and health Compare how their bodies feel during different types of activity in the pool. Prepare safely for swimming Take care of their own safety and be aware of others in and around water. Evaluating and improving performance Copy, repeat and describe actions accurately Compare their own actions with others Use information they gain to improve their own swimming Recognise and describe risks in and around the water 8

SCHOOLS SWIM SCHEME BEGINNERS STAGE 2A Children should be taught to enter (swivel, jump into shallow water subject to site specific regulations) and exit (bounce and push on side with arms) the water safely at all times Push and glide arms by side, on front and back Breathe and blow rhythmically with face in the water 6 times Float on front and back without aids all shapes, face in the water star float, pencil float Swim on front, arms by sides, face in water Swim demonstrating alternating arm & leg action, face in water (a few strokes) Demonstrate breaststroke leg action using aids for support Swim on front, arms by sides, face in water Swim on back, arms by side Demonstrate breaststroke arms action, walking across pool Demonstrate breaststroke arms action, using any leg action STAGE 2B Push and glide, arms extended on front and back Swim and roll and stand up Swim 5/10 metres either on back or front using both arm & leg actions Mushroom float Pick up an object from the pool floor (0.9 metres) Breaststroke legs on back, no aids ADDITIONAL AWARDS 5 and 10 metres distance badges QCA CORE TASKS Hoop Ball Circus Time Salvage Push & Shoot 9

1. Children should be taught to enter the water safely at all times Depending on child/children s confidence Sitting Entry - Sit on the side-toes in the water - Both hands to one side - Turn slowly to look at the wall - Lower your body carefully into the water - Careful of your chin Or Jump in holding adults hand - Hold teachers hand - Toes over the edge so you don t slip - Bend your knees when you land 2. Children should be taught to exit the water safely at all times Exit over the side - Both hands on the side - Bounce and push up with your legs - Push with your hands and straighten your arms - Lean forward - Bring your knee up onto the side - Then bring your other knee on the side - Stand up slowly 3. Breathe and blow with face in the water 6 times Ask children to do this task once then build up to 6 times - Keep your eyes open - Just your face in the water - Blow bubbles out of your nose - Turn your chin to the side - Keep your ear in the water - Breathe - Put your chin back in the water - Perform rhythmically 4. Float on front and back without aids (QCA 9b/c/d) Adult to demonstrate shape on the side of the pool first Front Star Float or Pencil Float - Hold your breath - Face in the water or chin on the water - Keep your shoulders under the water - Keep your arms and legs still - Stretch your arms and your legs - Hold your shape for as long as you can 10

Back Star Float Pencil Float - Chin up, tummy - Make your self as long/wide as you can in the water - Keep your arms and legs still - Hold your shape for as long as you can 5. Streamlining Push from the side and stretch (QCA 9b) - Push and glide with 2 floats, arms extended with 1 float, arms extended arms by side, no floats arms extended, no floats - use your feet to push off wall - make yourself as long as you can in the water - keep your legs together - face in the water (essential) - when arms extended, squash your ears 6. Swim, demonstrating arm and leg action (QCA 9b/c/d) Front Put face in water - Long legs - Keep your knees straight - Kick from your hips - Fast little kicks - Point your toes - Pull with your arms Back Keep arms by side, scull with hands by legs - Long legs - Keep your knees in the water - Kick from your hips - Fast little kicks - Point your toes 7. Introduce breaststroke leg action using aids for support (QCA b/c/d) You could use armbands/ring, a woggle or 2 floats held under each arm - Start with your legs long and together - Bring heels up towards your seat - Take your legs out and round in a circle 11

STAGE 2A BEGINNERS NO AIDS Name Entry Exit by push on arms Turn and slide in Swivel entry Jump into 0.9m hold adults hand if needed Swim on front, arms by side, face in water Breathing/ Submersion Breathe and blow rhythmically 6 times Floating Streamlining Movement/Swim a few strokes Swim on back, sculling arms by side Floating shapes, flat body without aids Star and pencil floats Face in, glide, no aids Push and glide arms by side Swim using alternating arms and legs Swim, flat body, alternating legs Front Back Front Back Tread water/ Breaststroke Breaststroke legs, front or back using floats for support 12

1. Jump in unaided - Toes over the edge so you don t slip - Bend your knees when you land - Feet first in the water - Look forward 2. Swim and roll and stand up Push and glide on front and back (QCA 9b) Front Push and Glide from pool floor to the poolside Push and Glide from the wall with one float Push and Glide with arms extended from the wall - Face in the water - Blow bubbles out of your nose - Squeeze your ears with your arms - Keep your legs close together - Stretch Back Push and Glide from the wall with 2 floats Push and Glide from the wall with 1 float Push and Glide from the wall with arms by their sides - Tummy up - Legs close together - Toes pointed - Ears in the water 3. Swim front crawl arm action with leg action (QCA 9d) Leg Action - Long legs - Keep your knees straight - Fast little kicks - Point your toes Arm action - Fingers together like spoons - Long reaches - Pull all the way back to your legs - Big slow stretches Timing - Fast legs - Slow arms - Remember to blow bubbles 13

4. Pick up an object from pool floor (0.9m) - bend knees, look for object 5. Breaststroke legs on back, no aids - look at ceiling - bring heels up to seat - kick back and round 6. Streamlining Push and glide on front and back, arms extended - squash ears with arms - use your feet to push off wall - make yourself as long as you can - keep your legs together - face in water 7. Floating - Change from star float to pencil without putting feet down - Mushroom float Hold our breath Face in water Keep shoulders under water Hug your knees 14

STAGE 2B BEGINNERS SHALLOW Name Entry Rotation Movement/Swim 5-10 metres Jump unaided Swim, roll and stand up Swim, face in, attempt arm action, breathe to side Swim, kick legs, tummy and toes to surface Breathing/ Submersion Pick up object from pool floor (0.9 metres) Breaststroke Streamlining Floating Record distance achieved (not part of award) Breaststroke legs on back, no aids Push and glide on front and back, arms extended, no aids Floating, changing shape without feet down Mushroom float Front Back 15

Description of Improver The pupils swim without buoyancy aids or adult support using basic strokes on their back and front for at least 25m. They are comfortable and confident in and around water. This award is linked to Level 2-3 National Curriculum Learning Objectives These are the general learning objectives for improvers Acquiring and developing skills Swim unaided on their front and back, using specific leg and arm actions together Control their breathing Feel comfortable both on the surface and under water Perform rescue skills including throwing Selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas Identify and describe how swimming contributes to different types of fitness and health Identify and explain how swimming over different distances and times affects the muscles and heart Evaluating and improving performance Describe accurately what is good and effective when they and others swim. Identify elements of a stroke action or approach to a task that need improvement and make appropriate adjustments 16

SCHOOLS SWIM SCHEME IMPROVERS STAGE 3A Children should be taught to enter and exit the water safely at times Swim for 10m+ on front and back using a recognised swimming stroke using correct breathing Jump into water subject to site specific regulations (chest depth) Submerge in deep water Demonstrate a sculling action Demonstrate simultaneous breaststroke leg movements, using a buoyancy aid Additional Resources: ASA Curriculum Pack Level 3 Tread water for 10 seconds STAGE 3B Pick up an object from the pool floor (maximum 1.5 metres or can cause damage to hearing) Tread water for 30 seconds in chest depth water Jump into deep water or execute a safe entry into deep water if unable to jump and attempt to climb out ADDITIONAL AWARDS 25 metres distance awards Free schools pass swim 4 free Swim 25 Additional Resources: ASA Curriculum Pack Level 4 QCA CORE TASKS Me and my partner Helping others Swim to win Storm at sea Swimming with dolphins 17

1. Jump into water, chest depth - toes over edge so you don t slip - bend your knees when you land - feet first in water - look forward 2. Submersion in deep water - take deep breath, blow it into water gently whilst submerged - look up, kick down to return to surface 3. Swim 10m on front - push off hard from wall with 2 feet - turn to side for breath - long arms - long legs - touch wall before you put your feet down Swim 10m on back - push off hard from wall - keep arms moving - kick with long legs, feet just under the water - look up at the ceiling - touch the wall before you put your feet down 4. Breaststroke Arms - start with hands by chest - stretch arms out straight, WAIT - then pull back and round to chest - keep arms on front of body Legs - pull heels up close to seat, kick back and round with soles of feet make heels important Timing - arm pull, then leg kick 5. Sculling Body flat on top of water, tummy high, keep legs still - feet just under water Head first - push water with hands Feet first - pull water with hands 6. Tread water for 10 seconds - vertical body position, as much of body below surface as possible - push down with hands or figure of 8 scull - kick down with legs - slow, rhythmical relaxed moves 18

STAGE 3A IMPROVERS MIDDLE WATER Name Entry Breathing/Submersion Movement/Swim Breaststroke Skills Tread Water Jump into water, chest depth Submerge deep water Swim front and back crawl 10m+, arm/leg action and breathing (standing depth). holding rail Without holding rail Front Back Breaststroke, arm and leg action, 5m Use woggle for support between legs if needed Basic sculling, head and feet first Tread water for 10 seconds Record distance achieved (not part of award) 19

1. Jump into deep water see notes in 3A Attempt to climb out place hands on pool side, push on arms 2. Pick up object from pool floor (not more than 1.5m) swim, then surface dive - head down, bottom up, then sink - keep eyes open 3. Butterfly legs - arms at sides - head leads submerge head deeply - keep feet glued together, beat down - create dolphin action - dive through hoop floating on surface of water using a dolphin action dive through and increase number of leg lacks after the dive 4. Tread (deep) water for 30 seconds See notes for Stage 3A 20

STAGE 3B IMPROVERS MIDDLE/DEEP WATER Name Entry Breathing/ Submersion Jump into deep water, attempt to climb out Pick up object from bottom (max 1.5m) Swim Any Stroke Skills Butterfly Tread Water Swim 10m in deep water Front Back Swim 25m, deep to shallow, any confident stroke and climb out Floating shapes/changing, deep water Demonstrate butterfly legs, no aids Tread water, (deep) 30 seconds. Record distance achieved (not part of award) 21

Description of Intermediate The pupils are able to swim confidently for 50 metres. They use recognised strokes with good positioning and timing. This award is linked to end of level 3 to 4 National Curriculum. Level 4 8 will be advanced. Learning objectives These are the general learning objectives for intermediate swimmers. Acquiring and developing skills Swim with good body position and timing when using strokes and personal survival skills on their front and back Co-ordinate their arm and leg actions with breathing, showing quality and control for more than 45 seconds. Selecting and applying skills, tactics and compositional ideas Recognise their own abilities and how these can be used to meet a task or challenge Carry out tasks and challenges effectively, individually and in groups Choose efficient ways to meet tasks and challenges Knowledge and understanding of fitness and health Identify and explain how swimming affects heart rate and breathing in the short term Recognise and explain the importance of controlling breathing and how this helps a swimmer to sustain effort and pace. Evaluating and improving performance Identify aspects of work that need improving and suggest how to practise to bring out this improvement Recognise when there is good coordination of arms, legs and breathing Improve their effectiveness and efficiency by making adjustments as they swim 22

SCHOOL SWIM SCHEME INTERMEDIATES STAGE 4A Children should be taught to enter and exit the water safely at all times Scull 10 metres head first, and feet first Tread water for 90 seconds showing the ability to attract attention Show a range of jumps to include a straddle jump subject to site specific regulations Demonstrate and explain understanding of the help position Swim breaststroke showing simultaneous arm and leg movements Resources: ASA Curriculum Level 5 STAGE 4B Children should be taught to enter and exit the water safely at all times Demonstrate a basic dolphin swimming action, legs together, arms by sides for 5m Surface dive head and feet first (depths greater than 1.5m can cause damage to hearing) Perform a forward or backward somersault Swim 5 metres under water ADDITIONAL AWARDS Distance award 50 metres Free school pass Swim 4 free Swim 50 Distance awards from 100 metres upwards Free school pass Swim 4 free Swim 100 Resources: ASA Curriculum Level 5/6 QCA CORE TASKS Radical Relays Beating the rapids Rotating twins Circassion Swans Hoopla 23

1. Straddle entry - chin up - jump forwards, meet water with legs wide (forwards and backwards) arms wide, make chest important - attempt to keep head above water 24

Poolside rescues - shout, encourage swimmer to swim to side - throw float or similar - throw rope - teach children that they should NOT enter the water to help a drowning person. They are likely to be drowned by them 25

STAGE 4A INTERMEDIATE DEEP WATER Name Entry Breathing/ Submersion Range of jumps, include straddle Attempt handstand Swim 50m front crawl or breast stroke Swim Survival Skills Breaststroke Tread Water Record distance achieved (not part of award) Swim 50m back crawl Demonstrate and explain HELP position Scull head and feet first, 10m Basic breaststroke, arms and legs Tread water for 90 seconds, show ability to attract attention Front Back 26

STAGE 4B INTERMEDIATE DEEP WATER Name Rescue Breathing/ Submersion Range of land based rescue Head and feet first surface dives (depth more than 1.5m or can cause damage to hearing) Swim Survival Skills Butterfly Rotation Record distance achieved (not part of award) Swim 100m sustaining an efficient competitive stroke Front Back Swim in t-shirt and shorts (thin material) for 50m Swim 5m underwater Demonstrate butterfly 5m Attempt forward and backward somersault 27

If you would like further ideas/practices and teaching points you may find the following publications useful! Introduction to Swimming, Teaching and Coaching Amateur Swimming Association ISBN 0-900052-37-6 Swimming Teaching and Coaching Level 1 Amateur Swimming Association ISBN 0-900052-48-1 Teaching Swimming and Water Safety Learning Aquatics the Australian Way AUSTSWIM Inc ISBN 0-7360-3251-7 Useful website links Amateur Swimming Association www.britishswimming.org British Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association www.bscta.com Health and Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk Association for Physical Education www.afpe.org.uk Royal Lifesaving Society www.lifesavers.org.uk Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents www.rospa.co.uk 28