Classes are kept small to ensure everyone receives the attention they need, priding ourselves on quality not quantity. The Pre-School, Stage 1 and Stage 2 classes will have a maximum of 6 swimmers per class. Our intermediate level classes (Stage 3 and above) will have a maximum of 8 swimmers. All adult classes will consist of small groups of 5.
Children learning to swim at SMSA will always be recognised for their achievements. After successfully completing each stage, children will be awarded with a Swim England certificate and badge.
Adult & Child (age 24-36 months):
The Adult & Child course requires a parent/carer in the water. This Programme has been designed by Swim England to develop independent swimming skills through play, songs and movement in a small group. If your child is not yet toilet trained, swim nappies must be worn underneath their swimwear.
Pre-School (age 3-4 Years):
Our Pre-School lessons are for beginners, specifically for children 3-4 years old not yet at school. The children will acquire water confidence and develop swimming skills which are required to enable them to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1:
The focus is upon children being able to travel around the pool independently and to aid the children to comfortably submerge their face in the water.
Stage 2:
This stage focuses specifically upon the key aquatic skills to ensure swimmers can swim 5 metres on their front and 5 metres on their back. Progression to Stage 3 is a big jump for swimmers therefore a lot of work on arm and leg kick is carried out in preparation.
Stage 3:
The outcome for this Stage 3 is that swimmers demonstrate front crawl and backstroke to a minimum of 10 metres. Breaststroke leg kick is also introduced at this stage.
Stage 4:
This stage focuses on kicking techniques. In addition to front crawl and backstroke, we ensure that both butterfly and breaststroke leg kick are performed correctly. The children must show competency in all four strokes as directed by the Swim England Expected Standard.
9+ Beginners:
These lessons are specifically for children aged 9-15 who are not yet able to swim.
Technique Development Squad 1 (TDS1):
The outcome for this stage will enable swimmers to swim 25 metres front crawl and backstroke. The main focus will be on breaststroke and butterfly with the introduction of simultaneous arm actions alongside the correct breathing style. The outcome is a minimum of 10 metres to the ASA Expected Standards on all four strokes.
Technique Development Squad 2 (TDS2):
At this stage swimmers will continue to focus on breathing patterns, and techniques should be consistent and correct across the four strokes. Swimmers will cover at least 50 metres on two strokes, conforming to the Swim England Expected Standard.
Technique Development Squad 3 (TDS3):
The outcome is that swimmers are able to swim 100 metres using a minimum of three different strokes to the Swim England Expected Standard.
Adults and Ladies only:
Age has no barrier, it's never too late to learn. Adult lessons cater for all abilities. So whether you are starting from the very beginning, want to improve your confidence in the water, or want to develop your stroke technique we tailor lessons to meet your individual needs.