Learn To Swim Stages 4 - 7 Criteria

Learn to Swim Stages 4 - 7

The Learn to Swim Stage 4 -7 Awards are divided into progressive stages. They make up the core, national syllabus of learning to swim for primary school aged children.

They are designed to reward your child for their development of the essential aquatic skills they need to be confident, competent and safe in the water.

Each of the Learn to Swim Stage 4-7 Awards has a list of clear outcomes that need to be completed in order to gain each Award.

Stage 4

By completing this Award, without floatation equipment or support, you will be able to:

  1. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.
  2. Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.
  3. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional).
  4. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional).
  5. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back.
  6. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (one item of equipment optional).
  7. Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
  8. Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.
  9. Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.
  10. Push and glide and swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional.

Stage 5

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.
  2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
  3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation.
  4. Tread water for 30 seconds.
  5. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water.
  6. Push and glide and swim 10 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  7. Push and glide and swim 10 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  8. Push and glide and swim 10 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  9. Push and glide and swim 10 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds.
  11. Perform a forward somersault.
  12. Demonstrate an action for getting help.

Stage 6

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.
  2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke.
  3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.
  4. Swim 10 metres wearing clothes.
  5. Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  6. Push and glide and swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  7. Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths.
  8. Push and glide and swim backstroke to include at least six regular breaths.
  9. Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  10. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.
  11. Perform a surface dive.

Stage 7

By completing this Award you will be able to:

  1. Push and glide and swim 25 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  2. Push and glide and swim 25 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  3. Push and glide and swim 25 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  4. Push and glide and swim 25 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  5. Perform a movement sequence (linking skills with strokes and sculls) of one minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills:Sculling: head first, feet first
    Rotation: forward or backward somersault, log roll
    Floating: star on the front or on the back, tuck float, create own
    Eggbeater: Moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water
  6. Perform a sitting dive or dive.
  7. Push and glide and swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  8. Push and glide and swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes (performed to Swim England expected standards).
  9. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.
  10. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout.