Welcome to Tees Active s Learn to Swim Scheme. All our swimmers take a journey through aquatics and develop a range of skills. From their first splash right through to becoming a Tees Active complete swimmer, children will acquire the fundamental knowledge to support a lifelong achievement in swimming. www.l2swimstockton.co.uk

Learn to Swim Stages Here is an outline of how your child will progress from the Ducklings stage right through to our Complete Swimmer stage. PRE-SCHOOL STAGE The Discovery Ducks and Duckling awards are designed to help toddlers and children to explore and enjoy the fun of learning to swim whilst boosting confidence in and out of the water. STAGE 1 & 2 Developing basic safety awareness, introduction to the class scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Safe entries to water, including jumping in, basic floating, travelling and unaided rotation to regain upright positions. STAGE 3 & 4 Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. Understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 10 metres to a given standard as directed by Swim England. 7 Tees Active CO MPLETE S WIM MER STAGE 5 & 6 Developing skills through sculling and treading water, complete rotation and also performing all strokes to the given standard as directed by Swim England. Effective swimming skills including co-ordinated breathing, developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise. STAGE 7 Developing quality stroke technique up to 100 metres, incorporating skills learnt and combining them to develop a linked routine and complete successfully an obstacle course that combines a variety of skills accomplished throughout Stages 1-7. 6 5 SWIMMING CHALLENGE AWARDS After swimmers have completed Stages 1 7 of our learn-to-swim scheme, they can continue on our scheme by completing the Swimming Challenge awards. The Bronze, Silver, Gold and Honours award challenges swimmers to develop a wide range of skills and stamina with a focus on good stroke technique. ROOKIE LIFEGUARD RLSS UK s Rookie Lifeguard programme gives your child the skills they need to be confident in the pool or the sea which means peace of mind for you. With fun, varied activities, the Rookie Lifeguard scheme teaches children how to swim and enjoy water safely, whether in shallow or deeper water. TEES ACTIVE COMPLETE SWIMMER Tees Active recognises the achievement of all swimmers that complete all 7 stages and then continue to achieve all Swimming Challenge awards. Children are awarded with a commemorative certificate and medal to mark their achievement. 4 2 3 1

Preparing for a lesson Preparing children for swimming lessons is a great idea, young children can often be a bit nervous about starting something new.the thought of meeting new people or being in a new place is not always easy. For parents this might feel like a daunting experience too. The checklist below will help in preparing children for swimming. It can help to ensure that both you and your child are ready to get down to the pool and into the first lesson feeling confident and fully prepared. When you go to choose a swimming costume, let your child help you pick for them. Tell them why they will be wearing it and get them to try it in the bath so they get used to the feeling of the costume when it is wet. It may seem a small thing but it helps. Take your child down to the pool before their first lesson. Take them around the pool and play some games. This lets them get used to a new place so they are not shocked when their first lesson comes around. Go for a family fun session or two down at the pool. This is great for getting them used to being in the water with other people around. Double check the date and time well in advance. You want to give yourself a little extra time to get to the pool and get changed. Being rushed will only get you and your child flustered. Make sure your child has had something to eat in advance of their lesson, but don t give them a huge meal. Just a light snack to help maintain energy levels. Some dried fruit or nuts is a good choice. What to expect during your child s swimming lessons A fun environment is the best way for your child to learn and all games conducted by the instructors will have a measureable outcome. The main emphasis throughout the learn to swim framework is to develop essential skills and good technique. It is vitally important to develop the correct skills prior to swimming over a longer distance. All of our instructors are qualified to Swim England s level 2 standard. The instructors will work through a number of water based activities throughout each session. You may notice that they occasionally use different parts of the pool to help the children achieve different skills and outcomes. Welcome Pack When enrolling onto the learn to swim scheme, you will have been given a welcome pack that includes a number of complimentary vouchers, as well as information on activities available within other venues. Assessment Your child will be continuously assessed whilst on the scheme. When your child is ready to move to the next stage and a suitable place is available, this will be offered to you. This helps keep children interested and ensures they move through the scheme at a pace that suits them. Progress Your child s progress and attendance will be recorded by the instructor delivering the class. To view your child s progress throughout their time on the scheme, simply register to our online Swim Hub via our website. Throughout your time on the scheme you will be contacted regularly via email with updates on your child s progression through the stages as well as notifications relating to topping up your lesson credits. Consistency We request that our instructors take a minimum amount of time off throughout the year and when a replacement is required we will endeavour to provide a level 2 qualified instructor. In the event of the class being cancelled, an email notification will be sent directly to you and a credit will be carried forward to the following week. Fairness Our instructors try to ensure that all children are given the same opportunity to achieve. If you have any concerns regarding your child s lessons please ask to speak to the venue s Duty Manger. Information We ask that you communicate any changes to your personal details with the venue s reception team including change of address, email address and any medical or behavioural problems. The latter will be shared with your child s instructor. Awards When milestones are reached you will receive an email notification informing you of which award has been achieved. A range of awards are available to purchase on completion of each stage. Distance badges are also used to help keep children motivated and to mark their successes. Full information of the stages and outcomes your child will need to achieve are available for sale at the venue s reception. Pool Hygiene Help us keep our pools clean by ensuring your child visits the toilet and has a shower before their swimming lesson. Outdoor shoes are not permitted on poolside; overshoes are available adjacent to the entrance to the pool. Safeguarding We ask that children only change in the changing rooms provided and once changed wait on poolside for the lesson to begin. All clothing should be placed in secure lockers and not left unsupervised in cubicles. Admissions Policy Tees Active operates a child admission policy where by children under 10 years should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. This includes attendance at casual and coached sessions.

Swim Hub The Swim Hub is an online portal that once registered will enable you to manage your child s swimming lessons. The scheme is managed on a programme of continuous assessment which means that your child may progress through the scheme at any time. When your child is ready and there is a suitable place available, a notification email will be sent to inform you. To continue on the scheme you will be required to top up your account and purchase credits either from the Swim Hub or in the venue. When you have 3 remaining credits, an email will be sent to you as a reminder to purchase additional credits. If you use all your credits and fail to top up your account you will automatically be removed from the scheme and lose your place. If this occurs and you wish to remain on the scheme, we will endeavour to find you another place but unfortunately cannot guarantee this. How to veiw your childs progress and check credits: Use your computer or smartphone to manage everything Log on to the Swim Hub to view your child s progress. Select the suitable day and time for your child s lessons via the email link. Enrolled on the scheme The swimming teachers will assess all children based on the Swim England Plan throughout their time on the scheme. Once they have achieved all competencies in the relevant stage, a notification will be sent to you via email to inform you that your child is ready to move to the next stage and availability in these stages. While enrolled on the programme, we will send essential communication, regular reminders and updates relating to the learn to swim scheme and your child s achievements. To enable us to do this we will require you to provide a current email address. Should this or any of your personal details change in the future, please ensure that you inform us of any changes at your earliest opportunity. Journey through the scheme Once enrolled, you will remain on the scheme providing you keep your credits topped up. The Swim Hub allows you to log onto the portal to view your child s progress from a PC or smartphone. After a quick and easy registration, you will receive notifications of any awards achieved and stages completed. On completion of a stage you can select the next stage for your child from the list of available lessons, ensuring your child is in the most convenient class for you. Continuous Assessment Programme We understand that every swimmer is an individual and our continuous assessment programme means that swimmers will progress through the programme at their own pace. There are no set enrolment or re-enrolment periods and the lessons take place throughout the year (excluding Christmas). When your child is ready to move up a stage, it may be necessary to change the day of your lesson as some stages are only available on certain days. Ensure you have a valid membership and purchased sufficient credits to remain on the scheme. Learn to Swim Referral Scheme Tees Active are giving away 2 FREE Learn to Swim Credits to anyone who refers someone to the Learn to Swim Scheme. To claim the 2 FREE Learn to Swim Credits, you must currently be enrolled on the scheme and you must follow the step by step instructions shown below: 1. FILL IN YOUR DETAILS at the bottom of this referral form 2. GIVE THE FORM TO FAMILY MEMBERS / FRIENDS or anyone who is interested 3. GET THEM TO TAKE THIS FORM INTO RECEPTION at Billingham Forum, Stockton Splash or Thornaby Pool 4. THEY MUST ENROL THEIR CHILD and purchase minimum amount of credit 5. TWO FREE LEARN TO SWIM CREDITS will be automatically added to your account on reciept of the form Instructors have the ability to report on your child s progress via the use of the hand held device on poolside. Once the device is synced at the end of the days lessons, the Swim Hub portal will be automatically updated to provide up to date assessment on your child s development against the pre set criteria. This information can be viewed by registering online to the Swim Hub service. Your Name: Child s Name: Email Address: Current Stage: Whoever you choose to refer must complete their child s details below: Child s Name: Age: Terms & Conditions. Please complete every field with accurate information. Offer is only available to customers enrolling onto the L2S scheme for the first time or those that are rejoining the scheme after a break. You can refer as many people as you like. Credits will be applied automatically when the new customers have enrolled and paid for their credits. Credits through this referral scheme are non-transferable and can not be exchanged for cash. Tees Active reserve the right to withdraw the offer at any time.

Credit/Refund Policy Credits / Refunds WILL be sanctioned under the following circumstances: The following criteria below must be met to qualify for a credit/refund: We will credit/refund missed lessons that are due to serious illnesses only when supported by a medical certificate and over at least 3 consecutive weeks. Although every effort will be made to prevent the cancellation of lessons, due to unforeseen circumstances there may be times we have to do this. We will credit/refund if we are unable to provide a suitable swimming teacher to cover a class. We will credit/refund if the pool is unexpectedly closed and your lesson is subsequently cancelled. We are aware that children entering into the Foundation stages for the first time (Ducklings and Stage 1) often find the transition to lessons difficult. We will discuss all requests for refunds made on this basis with the individuals concerned. Credits / Refunds WILL NOT be sanctioned under the following circumstances: We will not credit/refund for common colds and illnesses that are not supported by a medical certificate. We will not credit/refund for any holidays you decide to take during a block of lessons. We will not credit/refund for sessions that you miss. We will not credit/refund if your regular swimming teacher is off when a suitably qualified alternative has been provided. We will not credit/refund for sessions if your child refuses to enter the water or they decide to stop attending. In accordance with our refund policy, all applications for refunds must be made in writing giving full details of why a refund is being requested on the application for refund form, which is available upon request. The form must then be returned to the venue of your lesson. You will be contacted within 4 days to discuss your refund application. Splash Church Road Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1TY 01642 660610 splash@teesactive.co.uk Billingham Forum Town Centre Billingham TS23 2LJ 01642 551381 billinghamforum@teesactive.co.uk Thornaby Pool Thornaby Road Thornaby TS17 8AA 01642 616727 thornabypool@teesactive.co.uk These facilities are owned and supported by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and are managed by Tees Active Ltd.