SCHOOL SWIMMING A GUIDE TO RESOURCES, COURSES AND SUPPORT FROM THE AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION www.britishswimming.org
In order to assist you in the delivery of school swimming, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has developed various resources and courses specifically designed to support the National Curriculum key stages 1 4. You will appreciate that learn to swim and water safety, like any other subject area, involves close attention to session planning, structured learning progression and motivation for achievement. The quality of teaching will play an important role in the delivery of an effective swimming programme. Swimming is not only a fun activity but also an important life skill and its value is reflected in its status as a requirement at Key Stage 2 and as a core element of the National Curriculum. This guide is designed to give you an easy overview of some of the courses, resources, motivational award schemes and funding opportunities available for anyone involved in teaching school swimming. Please read on for more details.
Key Stage 1/2 Courses The following courses have been specifically designed with teachers in mind Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming A qualification ideal for teachers who will actively assist in their pupils swimming lessons. The course consists of Module 1 (7 hours) and Module 2 (10 hours). These can be taken separately or as a combined module 1 and 2 course (17 hours). Adults Other Than Teachers (AOTT s) Course This course is designed for adults wanting to assist in school swimming sessions. Ideal for teaching/classroom assistants or supportive parents, the course is 6 hours plus 1 hour pre and post course work. ASA Level 2 Teacher Certificate Progress from completion of both modules of the Primary School Teacher Certificate to the ASA Level 2 qualification. This allows you to conduct swimming lessons unsupervised. Many schools have found having their own Level 2 qualified teacher gives them more flexibility in delivering school swimming than hiring suitably qualified swim teachers. For more details contact the ASA Business Development Team on 0800 220 292 or 01527 514288 E.mail: BusinessTeam@swimming.org Resources The following resources are available to support pool and classroom delivery National Curriculum Resource Pack (NCRP) All you need to introduce water safety in the classroom and the pool. Includes worksheets to aid learning and check understanding. National Curriculum Teacher Information Pack Includes statistics, support materials and quiz sheets related to water safety. Awards Test Conditions and Teachers Toolkits Details of the criteria to be met in achieving each of the ASA Awards including the specially created National Curriculum Water Skills and Water Safety Awards. TOP Sport Swimming Cards Developed alongside the Youth Sport Trust these laminated A4 cards provide games and ideas for school swimming. Supporting training is required. National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) The nationally recognised framework for learn to swim, the plan can be used for key stages 1 to 4. Supporting posters are also available. Recognised by Ofsted. Swim Academy IT based learning, especially beneficial at key stages 1 / 2. The software is DfES approved and can be purchased with Education Credits. For more details and prices contact the ASA Business Development Team on 0800 220 292 or BusinessTeam@swimming.org
Awards Motivation and Reward The ASA Kellogg s Frosties Awards Scheme is the most successful sports award scheme in the world with nearly 2 million badges presented every year. ASA National Curriculum Awards National Curriculum Award for Water Safety National Curriculum Award for Water Skills Other ASA Awards complementing the National Curriculum Awards, NPTS and School Swimming activity include: Personal Survival Level 1 & 2 Preliminary Safety Skills Award Water Rescue Award School Speed Awards Water Skills Awards Bronze, Silver and Gold Challenge Awards See Awards Scheme Catalogue for full list of ASA Awards National Swim Awards Levels 1 12, linked to the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming For more details and a complete catalogue of awards contact the ASA Awards Scheme on 0800 220 292 or 01527 514288 Key Stage 3/4 Coaching for Teachers Learn more about coaching in other aquatic disciplines. Courses are available in Competitive Swimming Water Polo Synchronised Swimming Diving Swim Trainers Qualification This IT-based theory and practical pool deck training is concerned with the delivery of swim fitness sessions and links to the ASA Swimfit for Schools programme. See Swimfit section for more details. For more details contact the ASA Business Development Team on: 0800 220 292 or 01527 514288 E.mail us at BusinessTeam@swimming.org Resources Please see resources highlighted under Key stage 1/2 Swimfit for Schools Swimfit is the on-line club for fitness swimmers that has been adapted for school use to encourage regular participation for health and fitness. It s ideal for linking to ICT activity as each pupil accesses and tracks their progress via their own Swimfit webpage and log book. See www.swimfit.com for more details. For more details contact the ASA Marketing Officer via 0800 220 292 or 01527 514288
Awards Please see list under Key Stage 1/2 for other suitable awards. SwimFit Awards cumulative distance awards from 1 mile to 5,000 miles! Resources for ASA Level 2 Swim Teachers who teach Swimming TOP Sport Swimming TOPs Swimming training courses enable you to deliver school swimming using TOPs Swimming Cards, which are colourful, waterproof, illustrated cards containing fun games and ideas for school swimming. Designed in line with the National Curriculum. For more information contact ASA Education Department 01509 618739 School Club Links Workshops If you re involved with Swim Link sessions (aimed to bridge the gap between school swimming and competitive swimming clubs) then there s support available via a School Club Links workshops. For more information contact ASA National School Club Links Officer 01628 486938 Resources for anyone involved in the delivery of school swimming RLSS National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches Run by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), this course teaches basic lifesaving and water rescue skills. Continual Professional Development (CPD) Take charge of your development, the opportunities are almost endless! A few previous CPD seminar titles include: Introduction to the National Plan Swimming strokes, analysis and progression ASA / SCUK Good Practise and Child Protection Teaching the Non-Swimmer Creative use of equipment contrasting activities Teaching the Advanced swimmer / Stroke Analysis For more information please contact ASA Education Department on 01509 618739
Initiatives and Partnerships There are a number of programmes running across the country as part of the P.E. School Sport and Club Links project (PESSCL), such as: Learning In and Through Sport Project School Sports Co-ordinator Partnerships School Club Links Project (SCL). ASA resources and courses are available for purchase to all schools, but some schools may be able to access extra external funding through the above programmes to help with the cost. The Swimming Charter The Swimming Charter was published in January 2004 and is a joint project between the ASA, DfES and other key educational and sporting bodies. It outlines practical advice on organising swimming and water safety lessons, particularly for school children aged 5 11years, but also encourages learning all the way through to age 18. For a copy please contact the ASA Business Development Team on 0800 220 292 or email BusinessTeam@swimming.org Top Up Swimming Schemes The Top Up Swimming Schemes are designed to assist under achievers at key stage 2. A summary document of the pilots provides useful information and recommendations. To obtain a copy, please contact the ASA Business Development Team on 0800 220 292 or email BusinessTeam@swimming.org Initiatives and Partnerships If you are interested in any of the resources, course or support that the ASA can offer, or would like more information or to discuss costs and availability, then please contact: ASA Business Development Team ASA Awards Centre Unit 1, Kingfisher Enterprise Park, 50 Arthur Street, Redditch, Worcs. B98 8LG Tel: 01527 514288 Email us on BusinessTeam@swimming.org Web: www.britishswimming.org