Class Criteria

Class criteria for our Swim England children’s swimming lessons Stages 1-10

We follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. For children wishing to join Water Wizards Swim School, parents should use the following criteria to ascertain which group their child may start in and get in touch!

Goggles are not permitted in the early Stages (1-4) We teach children to be safe in and around the water, this includes knowing what to do should they fall into open water such as a lake or a canal where goggles will not be available. Learning to swim is primarily a lifesaving/safety skill, so once your swimmer has mastered some basic water safety skills and swimming skills, they will eventually move to Stage 5 where the emphasis is on technique and goggles are permitted.

The boys were so happy to be back. We were really impressed with everything you had in place thank you

A, Northampton

STAGE 1 & 2: RED HATS (for ages 4 – 8 year old)

This class introduces the child to the wonderful world of water and more! The child must be 4 – 8 years old. This class works towards the National Swim Award Stages 1 & 2. We have at least two teachers in the water with this class and a maximum class size of 8 so your child will receive plenty of support and tuition! Goggles are not permitted in this class.

STAGE 3: YELLOW HATS

Must be able to jump into the water unaided and be able to push and glide in a streamlined position on front and back. Must be able to travel up to 10 metres on the front and back without aids. Must be able to rotate from front to back and gain an upright position. We have at least two teachers in the water with this class and a maximum class size of 10 so your child will receive plenty of support and tuition! Goggles are not permitted in this class.

STAGE 4: GREEN HATS

Must be able to jump into the water and submerge completely. Must be able to sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position. Must be able to push and glide on front and back with arms extended and log roll onto back and front. Must be able to travel 10m on front and 10m on the back. Goggles are not permitted in this class.

STAGE 5: LIGHT BLUE HATS

Must be able to perform a tuck float for 5 seconds. Must be able to kick 10m on Backstroke, Front crawl, Butterfly and Breaststroke (float optional) Must be able to head first scull for 5 metres. Must be able to swim 10m of a recognised stroke.

STAGE 6: DARK BLUE HATS

Must be able to perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back. Must be able to tread water for 30 seconds. Must be able to swim 10m Backstroke, 10m Front crawl with face in the water, 10m Breaststroke and 10m butterfly. Must be able to perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water.

STAGE 7: PURPLE HATS

Must be able to sink, push off on side, glide and kick and rotate into Backstroke, and also Front crawl. Must be able to swim 25m, choice of stroke, in accordance with the Swim England expected stroke standards sheet. Must be able to perform a surface dive.

STAGE 8 – 10: BLACK HATS

This class is for all swimmers who have mastered at least three strokes to Swim England standards. This class will develop stroke technique and skills over longer distances and also work towards a range of Swim England, “Swimming Teacher Association” and the Royal Life Saving Society awards including Personal Survival, Challenge and Rookie Awards. This class is on recommendation or assessment only.