Swimming

"The only part of the National Curriculum which could save your life!"

At Bosbury we want all children to be proficient swimmers by the time they transition to secondary school.

The Government expect as a minimum that children will swim for 25 hours throughout their primary schooling. At Bosbury children start swimming when they reach Year 1, and will swim for ten hour long sessions each year group until the end of Year 5, adding up to fifty hours in total.

Children only continue to swim in Year 6 if they have not yet achieved STAGE 6 on the Swim England Learn to Swim programme (see below). Class 4 swim in the autumn term, Class 3 in the spring and Class 2 in the summer for ten weekly sessions. All swimming lessons take place on a Friday afternoon straight after lunchtime when we take the children via coach to the lovely new Halo swimming pool in Ledbury which underwent a £2 million refurbishment between 2016 and 2017.

It is essential therefore that your child has their swimming kit with them in school along with any relevant medication or inhalers if it is their turn to swim! Goggles, swimming hats and other relevant accessories are not compulsory but of course may be worn if your child feels more comfortable wearing them.

Pupils are grouped accordingly dependent on their ability. Those who are yet to earn their STAGE 1 and STAGE 2 Learn to Swim certificates are generally taught by their class teacher in the shallow end, children working towards STAGE 3, STAGE 4, STAGE 5 and STAGE 6 are taught by Mr. Ponter in the middle group which is positioned slightly further up from the shallow end although before the point which is considered safe for non-swimmers, while pupils going for STAGE 7 and beyond are taught by a trained HALO swimming instructor in the deep end.

Teaching assistants may also assist as needed and we always welcome the additional help of any parents who don't mind getting wet and supporting the children in the water, usually in the shallow end and sometimes in the middle group. Please see Miss Spence or the class teacher if you are interested.

The coloured swimming badges which schools have awarded to pupils since the 1980s are now no more! Sad we are at their departure after so many years of awarding them, we are very excited from the 2019/20 academic year to be switching over to the Swim England Learn to Swim awards which children also work towards in the swimming lessons they undertake outside of school!

Although children have to complete slightly more tasks to receive each award when compared to the swimming badges of old, the fact that they now pursue the same awards outside of school means that they have ample more opportunity to achieve each of these brand new awards.

A full breakdown of the criteria for each swimming stage is shown below, together with some excellent YouTube videos produced by The Swim Specialist channel containing more visual instructions and tips on how to achieve each swimming stage.

STAGE 1

(Adult support and floats permitted when meeting objectives)

1. 1) Enter the water safely using steps with back to the water.
2. 2) Move forward for a distance of half a width (5 metres), feet may be on or off the floor.
3. 3) Move backwards for a distance of half a width (5 metres), feet on or off the floor.
4. 4) Move sideways for a distance of half a width (5 metres), feet on or off the floor.
5. 5) Scoop the water and wash the face.
6. 6) Be comfortable with water showered from overhead.
7. 7) Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing.
8. 8) Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing.
9. 9) Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall.
10. 10) Push and glide in a flat position on the back from a wall.
11. 11) Give examples of two pool rules.
12. 12) Exit the water safely using steps with back to water.

STAGE 2

(Adult support and floats may be used to work towards objectives but in order to meet them, the child must perform the action without support from adults or floats)

1. 1) Jump in from the poolside safely into shallow water.
2. 2) Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.
3. 3) Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing without support.
4. 4) Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing without support.
5. 5) Push from a wall and glide on the back – arms can be by the side or above the head.
6. 6) Push from a wall and glide on the front with arms extended.
7. 7) Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the front for half a width (5 metres) without the use of floatation equipment.
8. 8) Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the back for half a width (5 metres) without the use of floatation equipment.
9. 9) Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the front to a back floating position, then return to standing.
10. 10) Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the back to a front floating position, then return to standing.
11. 11) Perform a log roll from the back to the front.
12. 12) Perform a log roll from the front to the back.
13. 13) Exit the water using the steps with back to the water without adult support.

STAGE 3

(Child should now be comfortable in slightly deeper water although not beyond the non-swimmer point and can travel one whole width on front and back - objectives must now be met without adult support or using floats)

1. 1) Jump in from the poolside, fully submerging body in the water.
2. 2) Sink, push away from a wall and maintain a streamlined position.
3. 3) Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back.
4. 4) Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front.
5. 5) Travel half a width (5 metres) on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back.
6. 6) Fully submerge to pick up an object from the bottom of the pool using hands.
7. 7) Correctly identify three of the four key water safety messages (always swim in a safe place; always swim with an adult; float, breathe and relax if you accidentally fall into water; call 999 or 112 if someone else is in trouble in the water).
8. 8) Push and glide and travel one whole width (10 metres) on the front.
9. 9) Push and glide and travel one whole width (10 metres) on the back.
10. 10) Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.
11. 11) Exit the water without using steps.

STAGE 4

(Child should now be able to travel one whole width of each of the four strokes with kicking action now incorporated into front crawl and back stroke)

1. 1) Perform a sequence of at least three changing shapes while floating on the surface, demonstrating an understanding of floating.
2. 2) Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.
3. 3) Travel one whole width (10 metres) of front crawl using kicking action.
4. 4) Travel one whole width (10 metres) of back stroke using kicking action.
5. 5) Travel one whole width (10 metres) of breast stroke.
6. 6) Travel one whole width (10 metres) of butterfly on front or back.
7. 7) Perform a head-first sculling action for half a width (5 metres) in a flat position on the back.
8. 8) Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement on to back.
9. 9) Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement on to front.
10. 10) Push and glide and swim one whole width (10 metres), choice of stroke optional.

STAGE 5

(Child should now be able to travel one whole width of each of the four strokes using correct techniques, also becoming proficient at sculling and treading water and are confident anywhere in the pool up to the non-swimmer point)

1. 1) Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.
2. 2) Perform a feet first sculling action for half a width (5 metres) in a flat position on the back.
3. 3) Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds, including a rotation.
4. 4) Tread water for 30 seconds at a depth of at least the full standing height.
5. 5) Perform three different-shaped jumps into deep water (eg. pencil, soldier, Egyptian mummy, star, straddle)
6. 6) Push and glide and swim one whole width (10 metres) of front crawl using correct technique.
7. 7) Push and glide and swim one whole width (10 metres) of back stroke using correct technique.
8. 8) Push and glide and swim one whole width (10 metres) of breast stroke using correct technique.
9. 9) Push and glide and swim one whole width (10 metres) of butterfly using correct technique.
10. 10) Perform a handstand in the water and hold for a minimum of three seconds.
11. 11) Perform a forward somersault in the water.
12. 12) Demonstrate an action for receiving help in the water (ie. treading water, waving arms clearly and shouting, "HELP!")

STAGE 6

(Child should now be comfortable in deep water and can swim a whole length of the pool without stopping using own choice of stroke. THIS IS THE EXPECTED STANDARD WHICH ALL CHILDREN ARE EXPECTED TO MEET BY THE END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL)

1. 1) Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important (this could be performing different warm-up stretches or playing warm-up games in the water)
2. 2) Sink, push off on the side from a wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.
3. 3) Sink, push off on the side from a wall, glide, kick and rotate into back stroke.
4. 4) Swim one whole width (10 metres) wearing clothes such as old pyjamas.
5. 5) Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
6. 6) Push and glide and swim back stroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
7. 7) Push and glide and swim breast stroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
8. 8) Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three regular breaths.
9. 9) Push and glide and swim one whole length of the pool (25 metres), choice of stroke is optional but must be performed to the correct standard.
10. 10) Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue from the side of the pool to alert a swimmer over to the side of the pool to be safely rescued from the water.
11. 11) Perform a surface dive to retrieve an object from the bottom of the pool in deep water.

STAGE 7

(Child should now be confident in deep water and can swim one whole length of each of the four strokes using correct techniques, four continuous lengths consisting of at least three of these strokes and is becoming proficient at diving from the side of the pool)

1. 1) Push and glide and swim one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using front crawl to the correct standard. 
2. 2) Push and glide and swim one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using back stroke to the correct standard. 
3. 3) Push and glide and swim one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using breast stroke to the correct standard. 
4. 4) Push and glide and swim one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using butterfly to the correct standard. 
5. 5) Perform a movement sequence (linking skills with strokes and sculls) of a one minute duration in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills: Sculling: could be head first or feet first
   Rotation: a forward or backward somersault or a log roll on to front or back
   Floating: star shape on the front or on the back, a tuck float or create your own float
   Eggbeater: Stationary, moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water
6. 6) Perform a sitting and standing dive into deep water.
7. 7) Push and glide and swim two continuous lengths of the pool (50 metres) using own choice of stroke performed to correct standard.
8. 8) Push and glide and swim four continuous whole lengths of the pool (100 metres), using a minimum of three different strokes performed to the correct standard.
9. 9) Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds in deep water.
10. 10) Complete an obstacle course (using a minimum of four different objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout.

Super swimmers at Bosbury may even get the opportunity to work towards the more advanced STAGE 8, STAGE 9 and STAGE 10 awards! 

STAGE 8

1. 1) Complete a set lasting 400 metres (eg. 16 x 25 metres, 8 x 50 metres or 4 x 100 metres) on a specific turnaround time (eg. one minute for each 25 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
2. 2) Swim 16 continuous lengths of the pool (400 metres) using own choice of stroke performed to correct standard throughout.
3. 3) Push and streamline then kick one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using front crawl with or without using a board.
4. 4) Push and streamline then kick one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using back stroke with or without using a board.
5. 5) Push and streamline then kick one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using breast stroke with or without using a board.
6. 6) Push and streamline then kick one whole length of the pool (25 metres) using butterfly with or without using a board.
7. 7) Perform a front crawl turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
8. 8) Perform a back stroke turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
9. 9) Perform a breast stroke turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
10. 10) Perform a butterfly turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
11. 11) Perform a dive track or grab start, and kick butterfly underwater in a streamlined position for 5 metres with the focus on progressing it to 10 metres.

STAGE 9

1. 1) Complete a set lasting 800 metres (either 16 x 50 metres, 8 x 100 metres or 4 x 200 metres) on a specific turnaround time (eg. 90 seconds for each 50 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
2. 2) Swim 32 continuous lengths of the pool (800 metres) using own choice of stroke performed to correct standard throughout.
3. 3) Swim a continuous 100 metre individual medley (4 x 25 metres) using recognised turns with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
4. 4) Perform a 15 metre underwater kick on front from a push and glide in a streamlined position.
5. 5) Perform a front crawl start then kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from a wall, then transfer into the stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.
6. 6) Perform a back stroke start then butterfly kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from a wall, then transfer into the stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.
7. 7) Perform a breast stroke start then perform a one and a half pull underwater, transferring into the stroke and then completing the remainder of the 25 metres.
8. 8) Perform a butterfly start then kick in a streamlined position up to a maximum of 15 metres from a wall, then transfer into the stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.

STAGE 10

1. 1) Complete a set lasting 1600 metres (either 16 x 100 metres, 8 x 200 metres or 4 x 400 metres) on a specific timed turnaround (eg. 2:30 mins for 100 metres), with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
2. 2) Swim 60 continuous lengths of the pool (1500 metres) using own choice of stroke performed to correct standard throughout.
3. 3) Perform a continuous 100 metre individual medley kick (4 x 25 metres) without using a kick board.
4. 4) Swim a continuous 200 metre individual medley (4 x 50 metres) using recognised turns.
5. 5) Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an incoming swimmer.
6. 6) Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an outgoing swimmer.

By the time a child reaches the end of Year 5, it is our aim that they have achieved at least the STAGE 6 standard. A child will have the opportunity to join the Year 5 group when it is their turn to swim if they have still not achieved STAGE 6 by the time they are in Year 6. With another ten sessions of practice, most children will have achieved this aim!

Many children go on to achieve STAGE 7 and beyond as well. Wow! 

BOSBURY 2018-19

GREEN BADGE - competently swimming 25 metres, which was achieved by 100% of the Year 6 children in 2018-19.

YELLOW BADGE - 82% of the Year 6 children 2018-19.

BLUE BADGE - using a range of strokes effectively, which was achieved by 76% of the Year 6 children 2017-18.

PERSONAL SURVIVAL LEVEL ONE - 55% of the Year 6 children 2018-19.

PERSONAL SURVIVAL LEVEL TWO - 20% of the Year 6 children 2018-19.

BOSBURY 2017-18

GREEN BADGE - competently swimming 25 metres, which was achieved by 84% of the Year 6 children in 2017-18.

YELLOW BADGE - 47% of the Year 6 children 2017-18.

BLUE BADGE - using a range of strokes effectively, which was achieved by 42% of the Year 6 children 2017-18.

PERSONAL SURVIVAL LEVEL ONE - 25% of the Year 6 children 2017-18.

PERSONAL SURVIVAL LEVEL TWO - 12% of the Year 6 children 2017-18.