GROUPS
Children are grouped according to ability and compatibility rather than age. The size of the group will be no more than six. Children can move up when they have reached the criteria of the higher group. This can be at any time during the term and does not necessarily mean waiting until the start of the following term. The criteria for each category are briefly outlined for your guidance:
· Group 1 – entrance level non swimmers. Non-submergers. May swim with arm bands if not tall enough to reach floor
· Group 2 – can submerge happily. Jump in unaided. Can float independently front and back. Can swim 4/5 meters front and back unaided.
· Group 3 – can swim width (8 ½ meters) in shallow end on front and back. Jump in unaided
· Group 4 – can swim width front and back in the deep end. Jump in at the deep end.
· Group 5 – can swim 25 meters front and back. Have a good idea of all four strokes. Jump in at the deep end.
· Academy- can swim 100mtrs and have a good idea of all 4 strokes.
DURING THE LESSON
There is a viewing gallery with benches through the glazed doors at the shallow end of the pool. We request that you watch from this area for Health and Safety reasons. It is a written condition of hire supplied by the school that we have been asked to adhere to that there are no spectators on poolside. Please honour this and watch from the designated area. In cases where the child has a medical condition the parent/carer may get permission from the teacher to remain close by. It is very important that all other children with you are kept under control and not allowed to wander off. This is a private school and there will be times when children will be working in adjoining classrooms. Although it is difficult to contain the excitement of younger siblings please respect this and try to keep noise levels to a minimum. Although very tempting please do not use the quadrangle/Chess set as this area does not form part of our hire agreement. We are also not allowed in the corridor through the double doors which has a notice stating it is for Teachers and pupils of Brockhurst School. The toilets in this corridor are not for the use of Waterworld patrons. You may on occasion see parents wandering in the grounds. These are parents of children attending school at Brockhurst and as such enjoy the freedom of the grounds. If your child does not attend this school then I respectfully ask that you remain within the confines of the pool viewing area.
STUCTURE OF THE LESSON
We aim to teach all four strokes combined with water safety awareness that helps to keep all children safe. The format follows the guidelines of the ASA but we emphasise that the lessons are fun and spend time teaching water based skills such as balance, aquatic breathing, rotation etc in addition to swimming strokes. I mentioned in the awards section how the ‘stages’ work. Recognising effort is always a positive thing and extrinsic rewards for children enhance and nurture a positive mental attitude and helps keep the children interested and engaged with the lessons.
The lesson will start with a safe entry followed by a warm up activity appropriate to the level of the swimmer. A main theme section will follow taking up about 20 minutes of the lesson. Finally a contrasting activity of a fun nature will reward the children and send them home with a happy face!
Children are grouped according to ability and compatibility rather than age. The size of the group will be no more than six. Children can move up when they have reached the criteria of the higher group. This can be at any time during the term and does not necessarily mean waiting until the start of the following term. The criteria for each category are briefly outlined for your guidance:
· Group 1 – entrance level non swimmers. Non-submergers. May swim with arm bands if not tall enough to reach floor
· Group 2 – can submerge happily. Jump in unaided. Can float independently front and back. Can swim 4/5 meters front and back unaided.
· Group 3 – can swim width (8 ½ meters) in shallow end on front and back. Jump in unaided
· Group 4 – can swim width front and back in the deep end. Jump in at the deep end.
· Group 5 – can swim 25 meters front and back. Have a good idea of all four strokes. Jump in at the deep end.
· Academy- can swim 100mtrs and have a good idea of all 4 strokes.
DURING THE LESSON
There is a viewing gallery with benches through the glazed doors at the shallow end of the pool. We request that you watch from this area for Health and Safety reasons. It is a written condition of hire supplied by the school that we have been asked to adhere to that there are no spectators on poolside. Please honour this and watch from the designated area. In cases where the child has a medical condition the parent/carer may get permission from the teacher to remain close by. It is very important that all other children with you are kept under control and not allowed to wander off. This is a private school and there will be times when children will be working in adjoining classrooms. Although it is difficult to contain the excitement of younger siblings please respect this and try to keep noise levels to a minimum. Although very tempting please do not use the quadrangle/Chess set as this area does not form part of our hire agreement. We are also not allowed in the corridor through the double doors which has a notice stating it is for Teachers and pupils of Brockhurst School. The toilets in this corridor are not for the use of Waterworld patrons. You may on occasion see parents wandering in the grounds. These are parents of children attending school at Brockhurst and as such enjoy the freedom of the grounds. If your child does not attend this school then I respectfully ask that you remain within the confines of the pool viewing area.
STUCTURE OF THE LESSON
We aim to teach all four strokes combined with water safety awareness that helps to keep all children safe. The format follows the guidelines of the ASA but we emphasise that the lessons are fun and spend time teaching water based skills such as balance, aquatic breathing, rotation etc in addition to swimming strokes. I mentioned in the awards section how the ‘stages’ work. Recognising effort is always a positive thing and extrinsic rewards for children enhance and nurture a positive mental attitude and helps keep the children interested and engaged with the lessons.
The lesson will start with a safe entry followed by a warm up activity appropriate to the level of the swimmer. A main theme section will follow taking up about 20 minutes of the lesson. Finally a contrasting activity of a fun nature will reward the children and send them home with a happy face!
