Award Scheme

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

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

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

STAnley 2 Learning Outcomes

1. Show an understanding of poolside safety
2. Enter the water safely from the poolside
3. Blow bubbles into the water, with mouth or nose and mouth submerged
4. Move through the water for 2 metres on the front while blowing bubbles, return to an upright/standing position
5. 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
6. Perform a star floating position on front or back
7. Use front paddle action to move a ball across the pool
8. Push and glide on the back
9. Roll from front to back, looking at the ceiling
10. Climb out of the pool safely

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

STAnley 3 Learning Outcomes

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

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

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

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

Octopus 2 Learning Outcomes

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

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

Octopus 3 Learning Outcomes

1. Answer 2 water safety questions
2. Enter the water with a step or jump entry, turn around and swim back to poolside
3. Push and glide into either front crawl or breaststroke for 5 metres
4. Push and glide into back crawl, and swim for 5 metres
5. Perform a star float on the front or back, and hold for 3 seconds
6. Perform dolphin leg kick on the front or back for 2 metres
7. Scull head first, using a woggle
8. Attempt breaststroke – may use a woggle for support
9. Tread water for 10 seconds
10. 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.

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

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

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

1. Be rescued by a reaching aid
2. 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.
3. Push and glide into a forward somersault
4. Scull head first for 5 metres and feet first for 5 metres
5. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke with correct breathing. Learner’s first choice
6. Swim 10 metres of front stroke with correct breathing. Learner’s second choice
7. Swim 20 metres of back crawl
8. Swim 10 metres on the front, using dolphin leg kick, without aids
9. Start in a crouch position in the water, spring up before gliding to bottom of pool, then glide to surface
10. 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

1. Be rescued by catching a buoyant aid
2. 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
3. Swim 5 metres, perform a forward somersault and continue to swim forward for 5 metres
4. Swim 20 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish. Learner’s first choice
5. Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke using a correct touch finish. Learner’s second choice
6. Swim 20 metres of back crawl using a correct touch finish
7. Swim 5 metres on the back using a double arm action and dolphin leg kick
8. Swim 5 metres on the side using a dolphin leg kick
9. 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
10. 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

1. Be rescued by catching a rope
2. 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
3. Perform a head-first and feet-first surface dive. If in shallow water, perform an underwater push and glide to pool floor
4. Scull feet first for 10 metres and head first for 10 metres
5. Swim 25 metres of back crawl using a correct finish
6. Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish. Learner’s first choice
7. Swim 20 metres of recognised front stroke, incorporating a correct finish. Learner’s second choice
8. Swim 5 metres of butterfly
9. Push and glide into a handstand – must be performed in tummy-deep or to chest-deep water
10. 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.

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

1. Perform a shout and signal rescue to a weak swimmer, 5 metres away
2. 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
3. Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke, perform a head-first surface dive and swim 5 metres underwater
4. Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke, perform a feet-first surface dive, tuck, and swim 5 metres underwater
5. Swim 50 metres of a recognised front stroke. Learner’s first choice
6. Swim 50 metres of back crawl
7. Swim 25 metres of a recognised front stroke. Learner’s second choice
8. Swim 25 metres of Old English backstroke
9. Swim 25 metres of front crawl, demonstrating bilateral breathing
10. Perform a kneeling dive, depth of water permitting. If in shallow water, perform underwater push and glide for 5 metres

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

1. Jump into water of at least full reach depth.*
2. 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.
3. Tread water in a vertical position for three minutes.
4. Scull head-first on the back for 15 metres with the feet at, or near, the surface throughout.

Section B

1. 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.)
2. 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

1. Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth.*
2. 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.
3. Tread water for two minutes with one hand behind the back.
4. 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.
5. 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

1. Swim 800 metres: 400 metres on the front and 400 metres on the back. A change of stroke may only occur every 50 metres.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. Tread water for three minutes with one hand remaining above the head throughout. The arm raised may be changed no more than five times.
3. 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.
4. 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

1. 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.
2. 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

1. 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.
2. 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:

1. 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).
2. 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.

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.

Learning Outcomes

1. Swim 200 metres within 6 minutes, using a recognised competitive stroke
2. Swim 50 metres in 70 seconds
3. Swim 6 widths, performing front and back tumble turns
4. Swim 3 widths of breaststroke, performing two-handed turns and a finish
5. Swim 3 widths of butterfly, performing two-handed turns and a finish
6. Swim 4 x 3 widths individual medley with correct turns and finishes
7. Perform a front and a back somersault
8. Scull 15 metres head first and 15 metres feet first
9. Tread water, using eggbeater leg action, for 1 minute
10. Swim 25 metres of polo crawl with a ball, showing control, keeping the ball just in front of the head or synchronising with another, swim 10 metres of breaststroke and 10 metres of back crawl

Learners may work towards the 200 metre Distance award.

Learning Outcomes

1. Swim 400 metres within 10 minutes, using a recognised competitive stroke
2. Swim 100 metres in 2 minutes
3. Swim 4 x 50 metres of individual medley with correct turns and finishes
4. Perform a tucked back somersault from a back layout and finish with a back layout
5. Perform a tucked front somersault from a front layout and finish with a front layout
6. Scull 15 metres head first, support scull for 5 seconds and 15 metres feet first
7. Tread water, using eggbeater leg action, for 90 seconds (45 seconds x 2 directions)
8. Tread water, catch a ball, swim 25 metres of polo crawl showing 3 changes in direction then pass the ball to another person OR synchronising with another, swim 10 metres of front crawl, change direction and swim 10 metres of back crawl, change direction and swim 10 metres of breaststroke
9. Glide swim 10 metres underwater in the prone position from a front push
10. Glide swim 10 metres underwater in the supine position from a back push

Learners may work towards the 400 metre Distance award.

Learning Outcomes

1. Swim 400 metres within 10 minutes, using a recognised competitive stroke
2. Swim 100 metres in 2 minutes
3. Swim 4 x 50 metres of individual medley with correct turns and finishes
4. Perform a tucked back somersault from a back layout and finish with a back layout
5. Perform a tucked front somersault from a front layout and finish with a front layout
6. Scull 15 metres head first, support scull for 5 seconds and 15 metres feet first
7. Tread water, using eggbeater leg action, for 90 seconds (45 seconds x 2 directions)
8. Tread water, catch a ball, swim 25 metres of polo crawl showing 3 changes in direction then pass the ball to another person OR synchronising with another, swim 10 metres of front crawl, change direction and swim 10 metres of back crawl, change direction and swim 10 metres of breaststroke
9. Glide swim 10 metres underwater in the prone position from a front push
10. Glide swim 10 metres underwater in the supine position from a back push

Learners may work towards the 600 metre Distance award.

Level 8 – the Platinum Award – is the pinnacle of the ILSP scheme combining survival and rescue skills with advanced swimming skills, water polo and synchronised swimming.