TTP Swim School

Award Scheme

A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest.

The International Learn to Swim Programme aims to provide a complete progressive aquatic pathway for learners of all ages to progress from their first aquatic experiences through to becoming safe proficient swimmers.

The scheme aims to build on knowledge and skill development at each level and reward achievement through a range of exciting awards and certificates.

STAnley
Octopus
Goldfish
Angelfish
Shark
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Honors
Advanced Swimmer Series
Platinum
STAnley

The STAnley First Steps Series is an exciting series of awards used by TTP Swim School for swimmers in the Cygnet Classes. The progression from STAnley 3 to awards in the Octopus Series and beyond usually takes place once the swimmer has moved to the main pool.

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.

The STAnley First Step Series is designed to teach children aged 2 years upwards to learn to swim. After completing the 7 steps of the STAnley First Steps Series, learners should progress to the Goldfish Series. Older children may wish to learn to swim using the Octopus Series.

STAnley 1 Learning Outcomes

Identify the teacher
Enter the water safely
Splash feet at water’s surface while supported by wall/ woggle/adult and then return to a standing position
Walk forwards, backwards and sideways through the water unaided for 5 metres.If in deeper water, unassisted walking actions may be substituted
Move through the water on the front for 2 metres, turn around and move back to start position
Move through the water for 2 metres on the back, roll to regain feet.
Blow a small object across the pool for 2 metres
Travel under a woggle bridge and through a shower created by a watering can
Push and glide on the front
Exit pool safely

Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may be used.

STAnley 2 Learning Outcomes

Show an understanding of poolside safety
Enter the water safely from the poolside
Blow bubbles into the water, with mouth or nose and mouth submerged
Move through the water for 2 metres on the front while blowing bubbles, return to an upright/standing position
Move through the water for 2 metres on the back using an alternating leg action, ears in water and return to an upright/standing position
Perform a star floating position on front or back
Use front paddle action to move a ball across the pool
Push and glide on the back
Roll from front to back, looking at the ceiling
Climb out of the pool safely

Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may be used.

STAnley 3 Learning Outcomes

Answer a question on poolside safety rules
Enter the water from poolside, move forward 1 metre, then return and exit the pool unassisted
Blow bubbles into the water with face submerged
Perform a star float while on the back and regain the feet
Move through the water while on the back, using an alternating leg action for 5 metres
Move through the water 5 metres on the front, using front paddle action
Complete a 360° turntable with feet off the pool floor
Roll from back to front and return onto the back
Jump or step into the water from poolside with hand support from a swimming teacher or assistant
Show treading water action with legs on woggle – (seahorses)

Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may be used.
Octopus

The Octopus series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards.

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.

Octopus 1 Learning Outcomes

Answer 2 water safety questions
Enter the pool safely, steps, ramp, swivel
Move through the water confidently in different ways – walk, hop, jump, skip, gallop, march
Use a woggle to swim front paddle and back paddle for 5 metres
Push and glide on the front and back
Attempt a simultaneous circle action with legs while on the back for 2 metres, using a woggle or floats
Travel under a woggle waterfall, experiencing water over the head
Return to standing from a star float on the back
Perform a treading water action with legs using a woggle (sea horses), or floats
Exit the pool safely and unassisted

Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may be used.

Octopus 2 Learning Outcomes

Answer 2 water safety questions
Enter the pool safely with a step or jump
Swim 2 metres of front paddle, and 2 metres of back paddle, unaided
Use a woggle to kick across pool while blowing bubbles
Demonstrate front crawl arm action while standing
Demonstrate back crawl arm action while standing
Push and glide on the front with face in the water
Push and glide on the back arms by the side
Rotate from back float to front float, and return back to a back float, using a woggle
Submerge under water and retrieve an object

Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may be used.

Octopus 3 Learning Outcomes

Answer 2 water safety questions
Enter the water with a step or jump entry, turn around and swim back to poolside
Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 5 metres
Push and glide into back crawl, and swim for 5 metres
Perform a star float on the front or back, and hold for 3 seconds
Perform dolphin leg kick on the front or back for 2 metres
Scull head first, using a woggle
Attempt breaststroke – may use a woggle for support
Tread water for 10 seconds
Swim forward for 2 metres and then roll onto back, swim on the back for 2 metres and roll into a standing position (regaining feet)

Swimming teacher or assistant in water is optional. Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated.

Goldfish

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.

Goldfish 1 Learning Outcomes

Answer 2 water safety questions
Enter the water with a step or jump entry, tread water for 5 seconds, swim to poolside
Push and glide, and hold the streamlined position for 5 seconds
Push and glide, or swim to the bottom of the pool, to retrieve an object
Swim 5 metres on front, roll over and swim 5 metres on back
Perform dolphin leg kick on the front or back for 5 metres
Scull head first for 2 metres
Scull feet first, using a woggle for support
Show rhythmical breathing in front crawl for 10 metres, using a woggle or float
Swim a recognisable breaststroke for 5 metres

Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated. Learners may work towards the 5 metre Distance award and I Can Swim or Good Stroke badges.

Goldfish 2 Learning Outcomes

Answer 2 water safety questions
Perform a back float, tuck to a front float and return to a standing position
Scull head first for 5 metres, and feet first for 3 metres
Push and glide on the back, tuck, rotate to the front and return to the starting point
Swim 10 metres of a recognised front stroke, either front crawl or breaststroke. Learner’s first choice
Swim back crawl for 10 metres
Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke. Learner’s second choice
Push and glide to the bottom of the pool, tuck, place feet on the bottom and spring up
Perform a mushroom float and hold for 3 seconds, extend to a front float and return to a standing position
Enter the water with a step or jump entry, swim 5 metres on the front, then swim to poolside and exit water safely

Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated. Learners may work towards the 10 metre Distance award.

Goldfish 3 Learning Outcomes

questions
Perform 2 different types of entries and tread water for 15 seconds each time; performed in shoulder-deep water
Swim 15 metres of back crawl
Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke, either front crawl or breaststroke
Swim 10 metres, holding a float under each arm, using lifesaving backstroke leg kick
Swim 5 metres, dolphin leg kick on front
Swim 5 metres, dolphin leg kick on back
Perform a handstand with both hands on the pool floor; performed in chest-deep water
Perform a horizontal float on the back and hold for 5 seconds, roll on to the front, hold for 5 seconds, roll to the original back float position and hold for 5 seconds
Submerge, push and glide on the side, roll to a face down position

Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated. Learners may work towards the 15 metre Distance award.
Angelfish

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.

Angelfish 1 Learning Outcomes

Be rescued by a reaching aid
Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds. If the water is too shallow, substitute step entry and support scull for 30 seconds.
Push and glide into a forward somersault
Scull head first for 5 metres and feet first for 5 metres
Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke with correct breathing. Learner’s first choice
Swim 10 metres of front stroke with correct breathing. Learner’s second choice
Swim 20 metres of back crawl
Swim 10 metres on the front, using dolphin leg kick, without aids
Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up before gliding to bottom of pool, then glide to surface
Swim 5 metres of lifesaving backstroke without aids

Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated. Learners may work towards the 15 metre Distance award.

Angelfish 2 Learning Outcomes

Be rescued by catching a buoyant aid
Perform a straddle entry, tread water for 30 seconds, perform a 360° turn in a vertical position while wearing a T-shirt. If the water is too shallow, substitute step entry and support scull for 30 seconds and a 360° turn in a vertical position while wearing a T-shirt
Swim 5 metres, perform a forward somersault and continue to swim forward for 5 metres
Swim 20 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish. Learner’s first choice
Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish. Learner’s second choice
Swim 20 metres of back crawl using a correct touch finish
Swim 5 metres on the back using a double arm action and dolphin leg kick
Swim 5 metres on the side using a dolphin leg kick
Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up before gliding to the bottom of the pool, tuck, place both feet on the bottom of the pool and spring up. Perform in chest-deep water
Swim underwater for 5 metres

Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated. Learners may work towards the 20 metre Distance award.

Angekfish 3 Learning Outcomes

Be rescued by catching a rope
Perform a straddle entry and tread water for 30 seconds while wearing a T-shirt. Remove the T-shirt and climb out unassisted. If the water is too shallow, substitute step entry and support scull
Perform a head-first and feet-first surface dive. If in shallow water, perform an underwater push and glide to pool floor
Scull feet first for 10 metres and head first for 10 metres
Swim 25 metres of back crawl using a correct finish
Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish. Learner’s first choice
Swim 20 metres of recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish. Learner’s second choice
Swim 5 metres of butterfly
Push and glide into a handstand – must be performed in tummy-deep or to chest-deep water
Perform a sitting dive, depending on the depth of water. If in shallow water, perform underwater push and glide, roll onto back while underwater and surface in a back glide

Buoyancy aids may not be used, unless stated. Learners may work towards the 25 metre Distance award.

Shark

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.

Shark 1 Learning Outcomes

Perform a shout and signal rescue to a weak swimmer, 5 metres away
Enter the water with a slide-in entry, swim 10 metres in a T-shirt, tread water for 30 seconds, remove T-shirt, and climb out
Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke, perform a head-first surface dive and swim 5 metres underwater
Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke, perform a feet-first surface dive, tuck, and swim 5 metres underwater
Swim 50 metres of a recognised front stroke. Learner’s first choice
Swim 50 metres of back crawl
Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke. Learner’s second choice
Swim 25 metres of Old English backstroke
Swim 25 metres of front crawl, demonstrating bilateral breathing
Perform a kneeling dive, depth of water permitting. If in shallow water, perform underwater push and glide for 5 metres

Learners may work towards the 50 metre Distance award.

Shark 2 Learning Outcomes

Perform a reaching rescue to a casualty up to 2 metres from the side
Throw a buoyant aid 3 metres to a target point in the pool
Enter the water with a step-in entry, swim 10 metres of a recognised stroke in a T-shirt and shorts, tread water for 1 minute, swim 5 metres of a recognised stroke, surface dive, swim 3 metres underwater, surface, climb out of the pool unassisted
Swim 75 metres during which the learners perform 3 recognised strokes with a smooth transition and the correct turns
Scull head first for 20 metres
Swim 10 metres of butterfly
Swim 20 metres of side stroke, wearing a T-shirt and shorts
Perform a plunge dive, swim width of pool or 7 metres, depth of water permitting. If in shallow water, submerge and push and glide on your side, roll onto the back and return to the surface with dolphin leg kick
Swim 4 x 1 width of individual medley, incorporating the appropriate transition procedure at the end of each stroke
Perform a backwards somersault

Learners may work towards the 75 metre Distance award.

Shark 3 Learning Outcomes

Throw a rope over 5 metres
Enter the water with a straddle entry, swim 25 metres in a recognised stroke in a T-shirt and shorts, tread water or scull support for 1 minute, tread water for 1 minute waving one arm, surface dive, swim 5 metres underwater, surface and remove clothing. If in shallow water, substitute straddle jump for step- in or slide-in entry
Swim 100 metres of a recognised stroke on the front, incorporating the appropriate start, turns, and finish. Learner’s first choice
Swim 50 metres of a recognised front stroke, incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish. Learner’s second choice
Swim 100 metres of back crawl incorporating the appropriate start, turns and finish
Swim 25 metres of a fourth recognised stroke, not undertaken in the other tests
Swim 4 x 1 length of individual medley, incorporating the appropriate transition procedure at the end of each stroke
Perform a competitive start for two separate strokes using two different stances that is legal for the depth of water available
Swim 50 metres of side stroke or old English backstroke
Perform a head-first surface dive and pick up a sinkable toy from the bottom of the pool, minimum depth of 1.5 metres

Learners may work towards the 50 metre Distance award.
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Honours

Swim England Swimming Challenge Awards are for young people working towards the latter stages of Learn to Swim Stages 1-7 or Learn to Swim Stages 8-10 of the Aquatic Skills Framework, with Bronze, Silver, Gold and Honours Awards available.

Your children will be challenged to develop a wide range of skills and stamina in order to achieve the Awards, with a focus on good stroke style.

Stroke style for the Swim England Swimming Challenge Awards doesn’t have to comply with ASA law, but strokes must be co-ordinated, smooth and efficient.

Together with four certificates and accompanying badges, the Awards also come with a metal lapel badge with butterfly fastener as an optional extra.

Objectives for the Swimming Challenge Awards

Swimming Challenge Awards – Bronze

For the following grades Sections A and B may be completed on two different occasions, but each section must be completed without pause and in the order listed. This group of skills test the pupil’s ability:

Section A

Jump into water of at least full reach depth.*
Swim 10 metres, followed by a surface dive into water of at least full reach depth* and underwater swim for a distance of 5 metres.
Tread water in a vertical position for three minutes.
Scull head-first on the back for 15 metres with the feet at, or near, the surface throughout.

Section B

Swim 400 metres using two strokes. (Changes of stroke can only occur at the completion of a length of the pool. A minimum of 100 metres is to be swum with each stroke.)
Climb out at the deep end without assistance.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

Swimming Challenge Awards – Silver

By completing this Award, you will have shown your ability to complete each of the following sections in the order listed without pause:

Section A

Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth.*
Swim 100 metres in less than three minutes using any stroke. A change of stroke may only occur at the completion of a length of the pool.
Tread water for two minutes with one hand behind the back.
Swim 10 metres, followed immediately by two surface dives into water of full reach depth*, one head first and one feet first, bringing an object to the surface on each occasion.
Scull head first on the back for 10 metres and return by sculling 10 metres feet first. A horizontal position must be maintained throughout.

Section B

Swim 800 metres: 400 metres on the front and 400 metres on the back. A change of stroke may only occur every 50 metres.
Climb out at the deep end without assistance.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

Swimming Challenge Awards – Gold

By completing this Award, you will have shown your ability to complete each of the following sections in the order listed without pause:

Section A

Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth* and swim 100 metres in two minutes 30 seconds or less, using two different strokes, 50 metres of each.
Tread water for three minutes with one hand remaining above the head throughout. The arm raised may be changed no more than five times.
Scull head first on the back for 10 metres, move into a tucked position and turn through 360 degrees keeping the head above water. Return to the starting point by sculling feet first with the feet at or near the surface throughout and the hands close to the hips.
Swim 10 metres, perform a forward somersault without touching the pool bottom and continue to swim in the same direction for a further 10 metres.

Section B

Swim 800 metres using three of the following strokes: front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, English backstroke or sidestroke for a minimum distance of 200 metres per stroke. A change of stroke may only occur every 100 metres. This swim to be completed in 25 minutes.
Climb out at the deep end without assistance.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

Swimming Challenge Awards – Honours

By completing this Award, you will have shown your ability to complete each of the following sections in the order listed without pause:

Section A

Make a straddle entry into water of at least full reach depth*, swim 5 metres into a piked surface dive to retrieve an object weighing approximately 2kg from water of full reach depth*; carry the object using a backstroke or sidestroke for a distance of 20 metres, to place it on the poolside.
Scull 10 metres head first on the back; complete a back somersault finishing in a back layout position; perform a roll to take up a front layout position; carry out a front somersault finishing in a front layout position; tuck and rotate backwards into a back layout position and continue to scull feet first for 15 metres. Throughout all sculling and layout positions, the hands must remain close to the hips and the feet must be kept together on or near the surface of the water.

Section B

Complete the following in a total time of 20 minutes without a pause:

Swim 200 metres front crawl, 200 metres backstroke and either 100 metres breaststroke or 50 metres butterfly. A change of stroke may only occur every 100 metres (except for butterfly).
Swim 500 metres freestyle during which surface dive twice head first and twice feet first; on each surface dive, swim through two hoops 4 metres apart without surfacing. The tops of the hoops are to be at least 1 metre below the surface of the water.

* Full reach depth is the distance from feet to finger tips of hands reaching above the head.

Advanced Swimmer Series

The Advanced Swimmer Series consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold; each award has a badge and certificate. This series develops swimming technique, speed, stamina and water polo or synchronised swimming skills.