Group Structure

Swimming lessons are held on weekend mornings and Thursday evenings during the school term time. Lessons are 30 minute sessions. During your child’s first swimming session they will be assessed and placed into a lesson group depending on their ability.

Please see below a list of the groups to give you an idea of what group your child should be placed in. These groups are just brief guidelines of The ASA National Plan.

Parent & Toddler

Parent & Toddler sessions from 3 months

When you introduce your baby to swimming early, it prepares them to be confident swimmers later in life. Swimming is a natural experience for babies, and Sean`s Swim School planned activities will achieve much more than just letting your baby splash about!

Starfish (National Plan 1)

Age 3 and above with no previous swimming experience

To bring children with no previous swimming experience into the water. By introducing a lesson structure children will develop confidence and ease in the swimming pool by means of play. Children will be taught simple arm and leg movements, floating and submerging. The aim is to get them confidently swimming front crawl and backstroke aided to a distance of about 5m before progressing to the next level. Childrens knowledge of pool safety and behaviour will be developed throughout all swimming groups.

Sea Horses (National Plan 2)

Children should be able to swim with or without aid to a distance of about 5m, they should also be able to confidently submerge their face in the water.

To increase the confidence of the child in the water by further developing their front crawl and backstroke techniques. At this level children will gain more control in their limbs for propulsion they will also be introduced to water breathing, breast stroke, butterfly and jumping into the water.

Nemo's (National Plan 3)

Children should be able to swim to a distance of 10m using both front crawl and backstroke. By this stage they should be able to float and submerge with ease and have some experience of breast stroke and butterfly.

To focus on developing the skills already gained. To become more competent in front crawl, backstroke, breast stroke and butterfly. Emphasis will be on kicking efficiently, breathing technique, sculling, streamlining and gliding. At this level treading water and underwater swimming will be introduced. The main goal is to promote distance swimming.

Minnow's (National Plan 4)

Children should be able to confidently swim to a distance of 10m using both front crawl and back stroke. They should also be able to demonstrate breast stroke, butterfly, treading water and sculling.

To improve on strength, efficiency and stamina in the main swimming strokes. Children will now be able to competently swim with controlled breathing to a distance in excess of 25m. They will further develop deep water skills including touch turns and somersaults in the water. Various diving techniques will be introduced.

Seals (National Plan 5)

To be able to swim confidently using all swimming strokes; front crawl, backstroke, breast stroke and butterfly. To be able to swim to a distance of 50m continuously on any one stroke.

To improve on all swimming styles and diving techniques. To improve the awareness of water safety and survival skills.

Dolphins (National Plan 6) Improver Class

To swim competently with controlled breathing over 50 metres on all strokes. Introduce head first entries sit/kneel/crouch & plunge. Introduce basic touch turns, tumbles & in the water diving practices. Develop water skills in deep water. Aim for efficiency in kicking on all four strokes whilst building stamina.

Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing across all strokes plus swimming a distance of 25 metres using a stroke of the Swimmer’s choice; developing the water safety aspects and understanding the necessity of preparation for exercise. Able to tread water, scull & surface dive.

Sharks (National Plan 7) Advanced Class

Perform all the strokes & turns competently. Improve awareness of water safety & survival skills. Increase distances on Frontcrawl & Backcrawl 400m+. Develop efficiency on Breastroke and Butterfly whilst building stamina and introducing the energy systems.

Develop quality stroke technique up to 100 metres+, ability to kick efficiently on front crawl, Backstroke & Breastroke, incorporate skills learnt and combine them to develop a linked routine and successfully complete an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills acquired throughout stages 1 - 7.