Learn to Swim – swimming teaching activities by stage

Activities mapped to the stages of the Swim England Learn to Swim framework. SwimShare is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Swim England; always refer to the official programme documentation for the definitive award criteria.

  • Learn to Swim – Stage 1 – 50 activities. First steps in the water: getting in and out safely, feeling at ease moving around, getting the face wet, early breathing control and supported floating.
  • Learn to Swim – Stage 2 – 55 activities. Growing independence: getting in and out without help, travelling further on the front and back, going fully under, early glides, kicks and rolling between front and back.
  • Learn to Swim – Stage 3 – 68 activities. Moving with confidence: jumping in and getting back to the side, travelling further without aids, confident submersion and breath control, rolling while moving and early arm and leg actions for all four strokes.
  • Learn to Swim – Stage 4 – 82 activities. Recognisable strokes: developing front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke technique, early dolphin kick and butterfly movement, sculling, treading water and stronger aquatic skills.
  • Learn to Swim – Stage 5 – 89 activities. Better, not just further: improving efficiency, breathing timing, rotation and coordination on all four strokes, with turns, underwater push-offs and stronger treading and sculling.
  • Learn to Swim – Stage 6 – 92 activities. Technically stronger swimming: efficient, well-timed strokes with rotation and a good catch, starts, turns and underwater phases, surface dives, floating and pace awareness.
  • Learn to Swim – Stage 7 – 87 activities. Competent, efficient swimmers: consolidating all four strokes, starts, turns and underwater skills, treading, sculling, surface dives and survival skills, with endurance and pace control – ready for club, lifesaving, diving, water polo, artistic or fitness swimming.

SwimShare is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Swim England.