The small pool is where most children in the club start. We teach between 6.00 and 8.30 on Friday evening running five 30 minute sessions. A team of ASA qualified swimming teachers and teaching assistants, all of whom are volunteers, teach each of the sessions.

The youngest starting age is “rising five”, so about the same age as starting school.  We can teach up to 18 children per session working in groups of no more than 6.  The earlier sessions are for beginners, progressing through to the later sessions for the more advanced learners.  For the younger beginners there is support from some of the club’s older swimmers who assist in the water during the sessions.

The sessions are all based on the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming and we aim to ensure all children have a full range of swimming skills before moving on to swim in the 25 metre pool. Learning to swim in the small pool gives children the opportunity to gain confidence in the water, develop a wide range of water skills and learn each of the main swimming strokes. We aim to ensure children enjoy swimming and stay swimming with the club.

Throughout the year we run teaching sessions with regular assessments using the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming as our framework. Once a child has achieved stage 6 we will aim to move them into the 25 metre pool as soon as space becomes available.

6.00 • 6.30        Stage 1 and 2

6.30 • 7.00        Stage 2 and 3

7.00 • 7.30        Stage 3 and 4

7.30 • 8.00        Stage 4 and 5

8.00 • 8.30        Stage 5 and 6

In order to achieve each of the ASA Awards children must be able to demonstrate a wide range of skills consistently and progress towards being able to swim each of the four strokes with the correct technique.   The Stages are as shown below.

On successful completion of the level a badge and certificate are available from the club.

If you would like to know more about the small pool sessions please come and speak to us at the pool.

For further information on Bradford on Avon ASC Learn to Swim please contact

sharoncarling@hotmail.com. An application form to join the club can be found elsewhere on this website.

The ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming Stages 1 - 6

Stage 1

Enter the water safely

Move forwards for a distance of 5 metres

Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres

Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres

Scoop the water and wash face

Be at ease with water showered from overhead

Move into a stretched floating position using aids, equipment or support

Regain an upright position from on the back, with support

Regain an upright position from on the front, with support

Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall

Take part in a teacher led partner orientated game

Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules

Exit the water safely

Stage 2

Jump in from the poolside safely

Blow bubbles a minimum of 3 times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged

Regain an upright position from on the back without support

Regain an upright position from on the front without support

Push from wall and glide on the back

Push from wall and glide on the front

Travel on the back for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used

Travel on the front for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used

Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position

Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position

Stage 3

Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 0.9 metres)

Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position

Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back

Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front

Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back

Fully submerge to pick up an object

Answer correctly 3 questions on the water safety code

Travel 10 metres on the back

Travel 10 metres on the front

Stage 4

Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy

Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds

Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of 3) whilst floating at the surface

Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor

Kick 10 metres backstroke

Kick 10 metres front crawl

Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the back

Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front

Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position

Travel on the back and roll in one continuous movement onto front

Travel on the front and roll in one continuous movement onto back

Swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional

Stage 5

Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back

Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on the back

Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30 – 45 seconds to include a rotation

Tread water for 30 seconds

Perform 3 different shaped jumps into deep water

Swim 10 metres backstroke

Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water

Swim 10 metres breaststroke

Swim 10 metres butterfly

Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of 3 seconds

Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water

Demonstrate an action for getting help

Stage 6

Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise

Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke

Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl

Swim 10 metres with clothes on

Swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths

Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths

Swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths

Swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional

Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue

Perform a surface dive

Exit the water without using steps