Swimming Lessons are Changing A Parents Guide

Swimming Lessons are Changing A Parents Guide

Your Aquatics Journey Starts Here In partnership with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), Kirklees Active Leisure are currently embarking on a change within our swimming lesson programme. Our new KAL SWIM Academy will be based upon a framework called the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) produced by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), the National Governing Body for Swimming. This is a national syllabus for delivering aquatics and provides stages for your child to progress and become competent, confident and safe in water. The new Academy will supersede the existing programme, and therefore you may notice some changes over the coming term to classes and skills being taught. The new NPTS framework encourages swimming lesson providers to deliver aquatic instruction in a FUN environment to aid learning and understanding. You may notice an emphasis on fun and games within your child s swimming lesson; the use of games and fun activities to deliver learning outcomes is proven to be the most effective way for children to learn and all activities will have a purpose behind them. There will no longer be a need to enrol once you are on the programme. Once your child has achieved all the outcomes of the stage they will simply be moved up into the next stage the following week. To allow us to have this rolling programme customer are required to pay through a direct debit scheme. We hope that you can bear with us during this transition period. There is more information about the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming by following the link on the KAL website www.kirkleesactive.co.uk or through the Parent guide that is available for purchase from reception. Your child s journey through aquatics will be enhanced with the new programme as there will be progressive stepping stones along the way and more opportunities later on to take part in more variety of activities and other water based sports. We thank you for your support at this time, should you have any further questions please speak to a member of staff, contact your local centre or email us at: kalswimmingdevelopment@kirklees.gov.uk

ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming A short guide The National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) is an all-inclusive programme which takes the nonswimmer from his or her first splash to developing confidence and competence in the water. The national governing body for swimming, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), has produced a national syllabus for Aquatics, in order to equip learn to swim providers with the training and tools to deliver a multi aquatic, multi skill programme. The Swimmer s journey through aquatics following the National Plan for Teaching Swimming will result in the development of a wide range of skills. These skills, if you like, are a jigsaw of pieces, and when put together result in a competent, confident and safe Swimmer who has the skill base for then developing technique in a wide range of water based sports. A child develops their basic movement range during the ages of 5 years to 8 years for females, and 6 years to 9 years for males. During this stage of growing up, children should be taking part in activity that builds their FUNdamental movement skills, with the emphasis being learning through FUN. With reference to this, children need to build up skills that fall under specific categories; in aquatics these are aquatic specific. Listed below are the main areas of skill which are developed as a Swimmer takes their journey through aquatics, following the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming. ENTRY safe entry into water, use of steps, side, jumps and eventually dives. EXITS safe exits from water, use of steps and side. BUOYANCY & BALANCE developing an understanding of buoyancy and balance and what affects it, and how to become buoyant in the water. ROTATION & ORIENTATION developing skills such as: how to turn around, how to lie back, how to lie forward, how to regain an upright position, and how to twist from the back to the front and vice versa. STREAMLINING understanding of streamlining, how to be streamlined and why it is important. AQUATIC BREATHING developing confidence in the water and a feeling of being at ease with the water around the face, learning how to breathe correctly, which consequently is developing a safe swimmer. TRAVEL & COORDINATION developing movement forwards, backwards, sideways, how to travel effectively, exploring different ways of travelling in water. WATER SAFETY development of a basic understanding of how to keep safe around water. HEALTH & FITNESS developing an understanding of why activity is good for you. If the Swimmer does not accomplish a skill such as aquatic breathing, the achievement of skills such as rotation, streamlining, travel, buoyancy and balance will become impossible to learn effectively, if at all. At each Stage of the ASA NPTS, all skills are crucial and must be comfortably achieved prior to moving on to the next Stage. Through the journey of acquiring skills, water competence will develop. Through a competence in water, the child will have more FUN, is more likely to be active and follow a healthy lifestyle, and more likely to actively participate in sport throughout their lifetime. Finally, all Swimmers excel at a pace individual to them.

ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming Journey through Aquatics The Swimmer s journey through aquatics starts with FOUNDATION, a programme for developing early years water confidence, which is encouraged through sessions such as parent and baby and pre-school sessions. The emphasis is upon development of very basic motor skills and introduction to water and the swimming environment through fun and games. The ASA Duckling Awards provide rewards appropriate for this section. The next stage along the journey takes a Swimmer through FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS, STAGE 1 7 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming. There are smaller stepping-stones for Swimmers who are not yet ready for Stage 1 of the NPTS and who may have ADDITIONAL NEEDS requirements in order to progress into Stage 1 of the NPTS. The Awards range specific to this section is the ASA Alpha Awards. A Brief Overview of Stages 1 7: (For more information regarding the content you may wish to purchase the ASA Parents Guide, available from reception. STAGE 1 Developing basic safety awareness, the class scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. arm bands, floats etc. STAGE 2 Developing safe entries to the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel and rotation unaided to regain upright positions. Swimmers may use aids, e.g. arm bands, floats etc. STAGE 3 Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. STAGE 4 Developing the 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 the ASA. STAGE 5 Developing watermanship through sculling and treading water skills, and complete rotation, also performing all strokes to the given standard as directed by the ASA. STAGE 6 Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated 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. Once the Swimmer has developed the core range of skills required to be confident, competent and safe in water through Stages 1 7, the Swimmer may then have the choice to take part in different aquatic disciplines. FUNDAMENTAL SPORT SKILLS, STAGES 8 10 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming are available in competitive swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming, diving and rookie lifesaving As a result of completing ALL the outcomes detailed within each Stage of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming, a set of awards are available, called the ASA National Plan Awards, these are accompanied by a dedicated colour, represented in the swimming hat of the stage, please see reception for more details. IS there any literature I can read on the NPTS? A Parents Guide specific to the NPTS is available to purchase from reception.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Kirklees Active Leisure Swim Academy? KAL Swim Academy is replacing our learn to swim scheme. The Swim Academy is supported by ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming. (NPTS) What is the ASA? The ASA stands for Amateur Swimming Association who is the National Governing Body in England for Swimming. What is the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming? It is the National syllabus used for delivering swimming lessons produced by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). It is a single pathway for Swimmers to learn how to be competent and confident in the water. It is a multi skill programme for swimmers to learn how to swim and be proficient (competent) in water for them to then make the choice to continue to participate in other aquatic sports later on such as competitive swimming, diving, waterpolo, synchronised swimming and lifesaving. Why change? To improve the quality of swimming lessons offered by Kirklees Active Leisure. The Amateur Swimming Association have recently updated the syllabus of the National Plan for swimming, Kirklees Active Leisure Swim Academy is making changes in order to meet the new requirements. The new NPTS framework encourages children to learn to swim in a fun environment. The use of fun activities to deliver learning outcomes is proven to be the most effective way for children to learn and all activities will have a purpose behind them in meeting the desired outcomes. What Awards or Stages are included in the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming? DUCKLINGS 0-3 / DUCKLINGS 3+: Which include the Duckling Awards, and the Alpha Awards? STAGE 1 TO 7: Are the Core Stages, where FUNdamental movement skills are learnt such as buoyancy, coordination, gliding etc. which from the basis of all swimming strokes. STAGES 8 TO 10: Are the Sport Specific Stages, where Sports specific skills are learnt and these stages are split into individual aquatic disciplines such as Waterpolo, Synchronised Swimming, Diving and Lifesaving. Personal survival and Bronze, Silver, Gold & Honours Challenge WHEN does a Swimmer Achieve an Award? The Swimmer must achieve all outcomes for that Stage at a standard (required and described) by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) Once the award has been achieved the swimmer does not have to wait until the course is completed to move up, they will be able move to the next stage the following lesson. WHEN does a Swimmer move into the next Group? As soon as a swimmer has achieved all outcomes a space will be allocated in to the next level. We do not guarantee the same day, time or instructor. WHY might Swimmers be playing Games instead of swimming widths/lengths? Skills can be learnt more easily through the use of games. The NPTS aims to create a FUN learning environment. Learning is enhanced (and confidence is gained) when the participants are having FUN.

What happens after a Swimmer has completed ALL Stages of the NPTS? (I.e. achieved Stage 10) The KAL Swimfit Academy caters for swimmers who have completed stage 10, were your child can continue to achieve further skills, abilities and awards. There may also be Clubs which hire the pool e.g. Lifesaving, Swimming, Waterpolo, and Synchronised Swimming etc. Ask at Reception for more information check the Kirklees Active Leisure website and notice boards at your local site. What are the long-term benefits of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming? The NPTS aims to create a FUN learning environment Learning is enhanced (and confidence is gained) when the participants are having FUN It is a multi skill programme for swimmers to learn how to swim and be proficient (competent) in water for them to then make the choice to continue to participate in other aquatic sports later on such as competitive swimming, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming and lifesaving. All the building blocks of the skills are achieved and then the child is equipped to transfer these skills into the range of aquatic sports on offer and to be confident enough to enjoy all these sports. How long will it take for my child to pass each stage? There are several factors to take into account in order to answer this question: The ability of the child before starting the course. The speed at which they learn and ability to perform the outcomes. The number of measurable outcomes in each stage differs, and so some may be quicker than others to achieve. Attending every session is a major factor, as is the opportunity to practice between lessons. Is there any literature I can read on the NPTS? We will be distributing information on week 4 of the current course. Including a parents letter, notice boards at sites, and at www.kirklessactive.co.uk There will also be a help desk available on week 9, this is an opportunity for parents, guardians or students to speak to the aquatics manager regarding any enquiries. There is also available a specifically designed NPTS Parents Guide available; this will guide you through your child s Journey through Aquatics and will be available to purchase at reception. Payment for lessons The new KAL Swim Academy will go to direct debit, the payment will be taken monthly on the 15 th of every month and mandates will be completed for direct debit before the new scheme commences. when you pay by DD for your Swim lessons your child will receive a FREE 12 month junior membership and a FREE KAL Card. For further information about these products ask at reception or visit www. Kirkleesactive.co.uk. T&Cs apply.