The Alpha step programme is for children or adults who may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) or who are particularly shy or timid around water.Alpha step
Parent and toddler classes
The first class available in this programme. This class offers children a chance to gain and develop confidence in the water during their early years. The teachers will focus on encouraging trust, safety and fun through organised parent and child lessons. These classes are for:
- parent and babies - birth to 18 months
- parent and toddler - 18 months to 2 years
- parent and toddler - 2 to 3 years.
Pre-school
Pre school classes offer a similar set of skills to the parent and child classes.
This class is suitable as a follow on from parent and child classes or as a beginner class. No previous water experience is needed. The swimmer will:
- learn important skills and techniques for being in the water
- develop safety awareness
- water movement skills
- water experience.
Book swimming lessons online
Stage 1
Swimmers can start at stage 1 with no previous experience.
They’ll learn movement, water skills and the introduction to strokes.
Stage 2
Swimmers can start at stage 2 with some previous experience and some water confidence including eyes in the water blowing bubbles, floating on back and front with swim aid support and kicking on front and back with swim aid support.
The main skills taught in this stage are:
- developing safe entries into the water
- jumping in
- basic floating
- travel
- unaided rotation to regain upright positions
- swimming on front and back.
Stage 3
For children aged 5 and over who have completed their stage 2. The mains skills taught in this stage are:
- developing safe entries into the water
- submersion
- travelling up to 10 metres on their front and back
- rotation skills
- water safety knowledge.
Stage 4
For children who:
- can swim 10 metres on their front and back
- successfully completed stage 3.
The mains skills taught in this stage are:
- refining kicking techniques
- developing stroke skills
- swimming 20 metres.
Stage 5
For children who:
- can swim 20 metres on their front and back
- successfully completed stage 4.
The mains skills taught in this stage are:
- sculling and treading water
- completing a rotation
- demonstrating good stroke techniques across all 4 strokes.
Stage 6
For children who:
- can swim 25 metres on their front and back
- successfully completed stage 5.
The mains skills taught in this stage are:
- developing effective swimming skills
- co-ordinated breathing
- developing the water safety aspects
- understanding of preparation for exercise.
After completion of stage 6, children will be able to swim 50 metres on their front and back and be working to achieve their personal survival award.
Stage 7
For children who:
- can confidently swim 50 metres on their front and back
- successfully completed stage 5.
The mains skills taught in this stage are:
- developing a high quality stroke technique
- aiming to gain their 100 and 200 metre awards across 3 strokes
- encouraging stamina
- introducing touch turns.
Stages 8, 9 and 10
These stages are for children who want to further develop their technique and stamina. Children must:
- be confident swimmers
- have completed their stage 7.