Learn to swim - children

Learning to swim should be a natural step in a child’s development. Swimming lessons are available through local swimming pools, private swim schools and sometimes local clubs. All children should also access swimming lessons through school.

Swimming and water safety is compulsory as part of the National Curriculum. Lessons take place during primary school with the aim the by the age of 11 children should be able to swim unaided for at least 25m.

We work hard with schools to develop quality sessions and have produced our own Schools Swimming Strategy to ensure that lessons achieve this.

Swimming lessons at the local pool

Most local pools provide lessons for young people to learn to swim and many will point children in the direction of further opportunities once they have learnt to swim.

We work in partnership with many of these pools, swim schools and clubs to provide quality training for the swimming teachers and an effective nationally recognised learn to swim programme - the National Plan for Teaching Swimming.

You should always try to ensure lessons are run following the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS). This is a programme the ASA has developed to take children through their first splash to full competence in the water.

Pools that use our National Plan for Teaching Swimming will teach your child to swim using fun and games.

Your child will go through stages where they will learn basic skills – such as how to enter and exit the water safely and become bouyant in the water and – through to more advanced techniques – such as how breathe in the water and perform different strokes.

Your child can be rewarded for their achievement at each stage with the asa’s ‘National Plan Awards.’ They can buy certificates and badges to track their progress and motivate them onto the next level. CLICK HERE to learn more about the awards.

The NPTS also allows those who complete the first seven stages to go on and learn how to take part in the different aquatic disciplines of competitive swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming and diving. CLICK HERE to learn more about the disciplines.

Family swimming

Don’t underestimate the influence you, as a parent, carer or grandparent, can have on good swimming habits. Our experience says that many families enjoy having a regular pool play date. Don’t worry too much about what to do with your kids when you take them swimming yourself – as long as they are safe and having fun their water confidence will increase and you can leave the stroke technique to the more structured lessons.

We have also helped pools to develop some specific programmes (through Everyday Swim) where family involvement is key. These include Swim Gospel in Lewisham, where singing and swimming in combined in a fun way; Woking where there are some new and growing young mums swimming groups and Telford, which has some play sessions for low income families. 

Swimming aids

When your child is learning to swim a variety of inflatable aids should be available. The person conducting your lessons may have a view on what kind of aids they prefer and how these should be used. It is best for you discuss this with them.

The ASA offers guidance on equipment and swimming aids.