In order to provide the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, swimmers are required to show all 6 tasks consistently. A buoyancy aid can be used. Faces do not have to be submerged.

• Make a supervised safe entry with adult support if required
• Float on back with adult support behind the head without aids
• Blow bubbles at the water surface
• Wet the head without submersion
• Kick five metres on back with adult support (it is recommended that an appropriate buoyancy aid is used)
• Travel without assistance two metres to a floating object (it is recommended that an appropriate buoyancy aid is used)
• Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with adult support
• Exit the water safely with minimal adult support

In order to provide the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, swimmers are required to show all 6 tasks consistently. A buoyancy aid can be used. Children can be submerged with assistance.

• Make a sitting entry with adult support if required
• Rotate 180 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position, using floatation equipment and without adult support.
• Submerge the face with confidence under adult supervision and without force
• Blow an object for a distance of two metres
• Travel three metres using arms and/or legs without assistance (it is recommended that an appropriate buoyancy aid is used)
• Move five metres along the rail or wall without assistance
• Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side with minimal adult support.
• Exit the water safely with minimal adult support

In order to provide the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills, swimmers are required to show all 6 tasks consistently. A buoyancy aid can be used. The face should be placed in the water for the torpedo shape.

• Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support
• Float on front or back without adult support
• Push off on the front or back in a streamline shape from a supporting adult.
• Blow bubbles with the mouth and nose underwater
• Travel five metres on front to the side of the pool without assistance (it is recommended that an appropriate buoyancy aid is used)
• Kick five metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float)
• Enter the pool, rotate and return to the side without adult support
• Climb out of the water with assistance if required

By the end of this stage your child should be able to:

• Jump into the water unaided, but supervised.
• Show a mushroom or star float.
• Rotate 360 degrees either using a log roll or an upright position.
• Push and glide achieving a streamlined position on the front or back.
• Submerge completely.
• Travel 10 metres on the front or back, without adult support. (with floating aidss)
• Jump in the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold on to the side or rail.
• Climb out of the water with adult support if required.

How to achieve Alpha Step 1 Award

The number of skills needed to achieve the award are as follows:

Alpha Step 1

Six out of 22 skills (maximum of one skill from each section).

Entries

1. Enter the water safely with equipment or support.
2. Enter the water safely with minimal support.
3. Enter the water safely with no assistance or support.

Aquatic Breathing

1. Blow to move a floating object over 3 metres.
2. Tolerate face being (splashed) wet.
3. With mouth submerged, blow bubbles.

Spatial Awareness

1. On the spot move selected object around.
2. Whilst travelling, move objects in or through the water.
3. Move objects to or from a partner in various directions.

Rotation

1. Be rocked through the water with support.
2. Turn 360 degrees with minimal assistance.
3. Lie back and move to a vertical position with support.

Buoyancy

1. Float with support.
2. Float on front with support.
3. Float on back with support.

Co-ordination

1. Be towed (forwards, backwards and sideways) in a variety of directions.
2. Travel through the water using limbs with minimal support.
3. Travel 3 metres on front with or without floatation equipment.
4. Travel 3 metres on back with or without floatation equipment.

Exits

1. Exit the water safely with equipment or support.
2. Exit the water safely with minimal support.
3. Exit the water safely with no assistance or support.

How to achieve Alpha Step 2 Award

The number of skills needed to achieve the award are as follows:

Alpha Step 1

12 out of 22 skills (maximum of one skill from each section).

Entries

1. Enter the water safely with equipment or support.
2. Enter the water safely with minimal support.
3. Enter the water safely with no assistance or support.

Aquatic Breathing

1. Blow to move a floating object over 3 metres.
2. Tolerate face being (splashed) wet.
3. With mouth submerged, blow bubbles.

Spatial Awareness

1. On the spot move selected object around.
2. Whilst travelling, move objects in or through the water.
3. Move objects to or from a partner in various directions.

Rotation

1. Be rocked through the water with support.
2. Turn 360 degrees with minimal assistance.
3. Lie back and move to a vertical position with support.

Buoyancy

1. Float with support.
2. Float on front with support.
3. Float on back with support.

Co-ordination

1. Be towed (forwards, backwards and sideways) in a variety of directions.
2. Travel through the water using limbs with minimal support.
3. Travel 3 metres on front with or without floatation equipment.
4. Travel 3 metres on back with or without floatation equipment.

Exits

1. Exit the water safely with equipment or support.
2. Exit the water safely with minimal support.
3. Exit the water safely with no assistance or support.

How to achieve Alpha Step 3 Award

The number of skills needed to achieve the award are as follows:

Alpha Step 1

17 out of 22 skills (maximum of one skill from each section).

Entries

1. Enter the water safely with equipment or support.
2. Enter the water safely with minimal support.
3. Enter the water safely with no assistance or support.

Aquatic Breathing

1. Blow to move a floating object over 3 metres.
2. Tolerate face being (splashed) wet.
3. With mouth submerged, blow bubbles.

Spatial Awareness

1. On the spot move selected object around.
2. Whilst travelling, move objects in or through the water.
3. Move objects to or from a partner in various directions.

Rotation

1. Be rocked through the water with support.
2. Turn 360 degrees with minimal assistance.
3. Lie back and move to a vertical position with support.

Buoyancy

1. Float with support.
2. Float on front with support.
3. Float on back with support.

Co-ordination

1. Be towed (forwards, backwards and sideways) in a variety of directions.
2. Travel through the water using limbs with minimal support.
3. Travel 3 metres on front with or without floatation equipment.
4. Travel 3 metres on back with or without floatation equipment.

Exits

1. Exit the water safely with equipment or support.
2. Exit the water safely with minimal support.
3. Exit the water safely with no assistance or support.

This stage focuses on developing basic safety awareness, the “class” scenario, basic movement skills and water confidence skills. Swimmers may use aids, such as noodles, floats etc. By the end of this stage, participants will be able to, with or without buoyancy equipment or support:

• Enter the water safely
• Move forward for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
• Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
• Move sideways for a distance of 5 metres, feet may be on or off the floor.
• Scoop the water and wash the face.
• Be comfortable with water showered from overhead.
• Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing.
• Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing.
• Push and glide in a flat position on the front from a wall.
• Push and glide in a flat position on the back from a wall.
• Give examples of two pool rules.
• Exit the water safely.

This stage focuses on developing safe entries to the water, including jumping in, basic floating, travel front and back up to a distance of 5 metres, and rotating the body to regain an upright position. Swimmers will be assessed without the use of aids or support.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Jump in from poolside safely
• Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically, with nose and mouth submerged.
• Move from a flat floating position on the back and return to standing without support.
• Move from a flat floating position on the front and return to standing without support.
• Push from a wall and glide on the back -arms can be by the side or above the head.
• Push from wall and glide on the front with arms extended.
• Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the back for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.
• Travel using a recognised leg action with feet off the pool floor on the front for 5 metres, without the use of floatation equipment.
• Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the front, to a back floating position, then return to standing.
• Perform a tuck to rotate from a flat floating position on the back, to a front floating position, then return to standing.
• Perform a log roll from the back to the front.
• Perform a log roll from the front to the back.
• Exit the water without support.

Developing safe entries into the water – including submersion – travel up to 10 metres on the front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge. At this stage, the Swimmer will be assessed without the use of aids or support.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to, without support:

• Jump in from the poolside and submerge
• Sink, push away from a wall and maintain a streamline 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 5 metres on the front, perform a tuck to rotate onto the back and return on the back.
• Fully submerge to pick up an object.
• Correctly identify three of the four key water safety messages. *
• Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the back.
• Push and glide and travel 10 metres on the front.
• Perform a tuck float and hold for three seconds.
• Exit the water without using steps.

Developing the understanding of buoyancy through a range of skills, refining kicking techniques for all strokes, and swimming 10 metres to a given standard as directed by Swim England.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating on the surface and demonstrate an understanding of floating.
• Push and glide from the wall towards the pool floor.
• Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional).
• Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional).
• Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back.
• Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (one item of equipment optional).
• Perform a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
• Travel on back and log roll in one continuous movement onto front.
• Travel on front and log roll in one continuous movement onto back.
• Push and glide and swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional

Developing ‘watermanship’ through sculling and treading water skills and complete rotation, also performing all strokes for a distance of 10 metres to the given standard as provided by Swim England within the NPTS resources.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to, without aids:

• Perform a flat stationary scull on the back.
• Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres in a flat position on the back.
• Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation.
• Tread water for 30 seconds.
• Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water.
• Push and glide and swim 10 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 10 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 10 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 10 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of 3 seconds.
• Perform a forward somersault.
  Demonstrate an action for getting help.

Developing effective swimming skills including coordinated breathing across all strokes plus swimming a distance of 25 metres using a stroke of the Swimmers choice; developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Give two examples of how to prepare for exercise and understand why it is important.
• 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 wearing clothes.
• Push and glide and swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
• Push and glide and swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
• Push and glide and swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths.
• Push and glide and swim backstroke to include at least three rhythmical breaths.
• Push and glide and swim 25 metres, choice of stroke is optional (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue.
• Perform a surface dive.

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.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Push and glide and swim 25 metres backstroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 25 metres front crawl (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 25 metres breaststroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 25 metres butterfly (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Perform a movement sequence (linking skills with strokes and sculls) of one minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills:
  • Sculling: head first, feet first
  • Rotation: forward or backward somersault, log roll
  • Floating: star on the front or on the back, tuck float, create own
  • Eggbeater: Moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water
• Perform a sitting dive or dive.
• Push and glide and swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Push and glide and swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes (performed to Swim England expected standards).
• Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.
• Complete an obstacle course (using a minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout.

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Complete a set lasting 400 metres (e.g. 16 x 25 metres, 8 x 50 metres, 4 x 100 metres) on a specific turnaround time agreed by the teacher or coach (e.g. 1.00 minutes for each 25 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
• Swim 400 metres continuously using one stroke.
• Push and streamline then kick 25 metres backstroke with or without using a board.
• Push and streamline then kick 25 metres breaststroke with or without using a board.
• Push and streamline then kick 25 metres butterfly without using a board.
• Push and streamline then kick 25 metres front crawl with or without using a board.
• Perform a backstroke turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
• Perform a breaststroke turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
• Perform a butterfly turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
• Perform a front crawl turn from 10 metres in to 15 metres out.
• Perform a dive track or grab start, and kick butterfly underwater in a streamlined position for 5 metres with the focus on progressing it to 10 metres.*

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Complete a set lasting 800 metres (either 16 x 50 metres, 8 x 100 metres, 4 x 200 metres) on a specific turnaround time as agreed by the teacher or coach (e.g. 1.30 minutes for 50 metres) with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
• Swim 800 metres continuously using one stroke.
• Swim a continuous 100 metre individual medley (4 x 25 metres) using recognised turns with a focus on stroke technique and consistency.
• Perform a 15 metre underwater kick on front from a push and glide in a streamlined position
• Perform a backstroke start then butterfly kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*
• Perform a front crawl start then kick in a streamlined position underwater up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*
• Perform a butterfly start then kick in a streamlined position up to a maximum of 15 metres from the start point (wall). Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*
• Perform a breaststroke start then perform a one and a half pull underwater. Transfer into stroke and complete the remainder of the 25 metres.*

*Refer to Swim England expected stroke standards sheet

By the end of this stage, participants will be able to:

• Complete a set lasting 1600 metres (either 16 x 100 metres, 8 x 200 metres, 4 x 400 metres) on a specific timed turnaround set by the teacher or coach (e.g. 2.30 minutes for 100 metres), focus on stroke technique and consistency.
• Swim 1500 metres continuously using one stroke.
• Perform a continuous 100 metre individual medley kick (4 x 25 metres) without using a kick board.
• Swim a continuous 200 metre individual medley (4 x 50 metres) using recognised turns.
• Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an incoming swimmer.
• Perform a front crawl relay take over – as an outgoing swimmer.

• To enter shallow water from the poolside in a safe manner. Assistance may be provided via the steps of from the poolside
• To move across the pool with the water surface no lower than shoulder level
• To submerge the face in the water and blow bubbles for 3 seconds
• To push and glide from the poolside or bottom on the front and change to a resting or standing position
• To push and glide from the poolside or bottom on the back and change to a resting or standing position
• Travel on the back a minimum distance of 5 metres.
• Travel on the front a minimum distance of 5 metres.
• Rotate from the back to the front position and change to a resting or standing position.
• Propel a floating object (e.g. a ball) for 3 metres by any method.
• Demonstrate a flat or upright stationary floating position for 10 seconds.

• Enter shallow water unaided from a standing or sitting position without the use of steps.
• Submerge the head completely and blow out under water for a minimum of three seconds.
• Hold a tucked floating position for a minimum of five seconds (this may be on the front or back with the face submerged or kept out of the water).
• Swim one width on the front using a crawl-type front paddle propulsive action.
• Swim one width on the back using a crawl-type leg action.
• Swim one width on the front or back using breaststroke type action.
• Swim one width full stroke on the front or the back with arm recovery over the water.
• Demonstrate a flat or upright floating position for 20 seconds.
• Demonstrate a 360 degree turn or roll – from a flat or upright position without making contact with the pool bottom.
• Swim two widths without pausing using any stroke or strokes.

• Jump into water of at least full reach depth.
• Swim four widths without a pause using any stroke or strokes.
• Submerge in shallow water and retrieve an object from the pool bottom using both hands.
• Tread water out of standing depth using arms/or legs for 20 seconds.
• Swim two widths on the front demonstrating good technique.
• Swim two widths on the back demonstrating good technique.
• Swim a minimum of 10 metres showing three changes of direction without touching the side or bottom of the pool.
• Scull head first for 5 metres.
• Swim through a hoop submerged in water of shoulder depth.
• Swim continuously for 1 minute using two different strokes and with good style.

• Jump into water of at least full reach depth and swim 25 metres without touching the side or bottom of the pool.
• Surface dive in water of at least full reach depth demonstrating good technique.
• Perform a forward somersault using a push and glide if necessary.
• Swim breaststroke or front crawl for 25 metres showing good technique.
• Swim backstroke for 25 metres showing good technique.
• Scull head first for 5 metres and return sculling feet first.
• Swim a minimum of 5 metres using dolphin leg action.
• Swim two widths of any stroke including a ‘correct’ turn complying with Swim England expected standards.
• Enter water of at least full reach depth and tread water for 20 seconds followed by a 25 metres swim.
• Swim 5 metres underwater.

• Tread water for 30 seconds followed by a 25 metres swim, which includes passing through a submerged hoop.
• Perform a backward somersault using a push and glide if necessary.
• Perform a surface dive in water of at least full reach depth* followed by an underwater swim of at least 5 metres.
• Swim 50 metres in 90 seconds.
• Swim 25 metres using an inverted breaststroke or backstroke.
• Perform a head first entry into water of at least full reach depth* and swim 25 metres of front crawl.
• Swim one width of front crawl finishing with a forward somersault into the poolside and a push and glide away on the back or front.
• Swim one width of butterfly.
• Jump into water of at least full reach depth* attaining a good height and upright position in flight.
• Swim 25 metres propelling a ball and maintaining close control throughout.

• Swim 75 metres within two minutes using three different strokes and demonstrating good technique.
• Perform the following skills consecutively and without pause: head first scull for 5 metres; somersault; feet first scull for 5 metres and a 360 degree rotation in a vertical tucked position.
• Swim three widths of front crawl showing two appropriate turns and demonstrating good technique.
• Swim three widths of backstroke showing two backstroke turns and demonstrating good technique.
• Swim three widths of breaststroke showing two breaststroke turns and demonstrating good technique.
• Swim two widths butterfly.
• Perform two jumps into water of at least full reach depth* gaining height and taking up a different position in flight selected from straight, tuck, pike, turning and somersault.
• Propel a ball for a minimum distance of 25 metres controlling it throughout and demonstrating two changes of direction of at least 90 degrees.
• Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth*, holding the glide for 5 metres.
• Plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth* and tread water for one minute.

• To jump into water of at least full reach depth
• To swim 10 metres, followed by a surface-dive into water of at least full reach depth and under water swim for a distance of 5 metres
• To tread water in a vertical position for 3 minutes
• To scull head-first on the back for 15 metres with the feet at, or near, the surface throughout
• To swim 400 metres using two strokes. Changes of stroke can only occur at the completion of a length of the pool. A minimum of 100 metres is to be swum on each stroke
• To climb out at the deep end without assistance

• To plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth
• To swim 100 metres in less than 3 minutes using any stroke. A change of stroke may only occur at the completion of a length of the pool
• To tread water for 2 minutes with one hand behind the back
• To swim 10 metres, followed immediately by 2 surface-dives into water of full reach depth, one head first and one feet first, bringing an object to the surface on each occassion
• To scull head first on the back for 10 metres and return by sculling 10 metres feet first. A horizontal position must be maintained throughout
• To swim 800 metres: 400 metres on the front and 400 metres on the back. A change of stroke may only occur every 5 metres
• To climb out at the deep end without assistance

• To plunge dive into water of at least full reach depth and swim 100 metres in two minutes, 30 seconds or less, using two different strokes, 50 metres of each
• To tread water for 3 minutes with one hand remaining above the head throughout. The arm raised may be changed no more than 5 times
• To scull head-first on the back for 10 metres, move into a tucked position and turn through 360 degrees keeping the head above water. Return to the starting point by sculling feet first with the feet at or near the surface throughout and the hands close to the hips
• To swim 10 metres, perform a forward somersault without touching the pool bottom and continue to swim in the same direction for a further 10 metres
• To swim 800 metres using 3 of the following strokes; front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, English backstroke or sidestroke for a minimum distance of 200 metres per stroke. A change of stroke may only occur every 100 metres. This swim to be completed in 25 minutes.
• To climb out at the deep end without assistance

• Make a straddle entry into water of at least full reach depth*, swim 5 metres into a piked surface dive to retrieve an object weighing approximately 2kg from water of full reach depth*; carry the object using a backstroke or sidestroke for a distance of 20 metres, to place it on the poolside.
• Scull 10 metres head first on the back; complete a back somersault finishing in a back layout position; perform a roll to take up a front layout position; carry out a front somersault finishing in a front layout position; tuck and rotate backwards into a back layout position and continue to scull feet first for 15 metres. Throughout all sculling and layout positions, the hands must remain close to the hips and the feet must be kept together on or near the surface of the water.

Complete the following in a total time of 20 minutes without a pause:

• Scull 10 metres head first on the back; complete a back somersault finishing in a back layout position; perform a roll to take up a front layout position; carry out a front somersault finishing in a front layout position; tuck and rotate backwards into a back layout position and continue to scull feet first for 15 metres. Throughout all sculling and layout positions, the hands must remain close to the hips and the feet must be kept together on or near the surface of the water.
• Swim 500 metres freestyle during which surface dive twice head first and twice feet first; on each surface dive, swim through two hoops 4 metres apart without surfacing. The tops of the hoops are to be at least 1 metre below the surface of the water.

• Perform a swivel entry.
• Jump in and immediately rotate 180 degrees to travel back to the side.
• Float on the back for 30 seconds.
• Fully submerge, exhale and resurface.
• Log roll from floating on the front to floating on the back.
• Tread water in an upright position for 10 seconds without floatation equipment.
• Perform a signal for help on the back, whilst holding onto floatation equipment.
• Exit the water safely without support.
• Show an understanding of water safety.

• Perform a fall in entry
• Float on the back for 60 seconds without floatation equipment and explain why this is important.
• Tread water for 30 seconds without floatation equipment.
• Perform a rotation of 360 degrees whilst treading water without floatation equipment.
• Signal for help whilst treading water without floatation equipment.
• Swim on the front for 10 metres, log roll onto the back and then rest for 60 seconds; return to an upright position to tread water.
• Swim 10 metres on the front, log roll and swim 10 metres on the back to a floating object.
• Swim for 10 metres towards the side of the pool using a long arm front paddle (survival stroke).
• Fully submerge to the pool floor; rhythmically bounce from the pool floor to the surface to take a breath; re-submerge. Repeat four times.
• Demonstrate the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP) with a floating object.
• Climb out from the side, without using the steps.
• Recite and show understanding of the four key water safety messages.

• Perform a straddle entry.
• Complete a circuit of submerging and resurfacing under or through objects and collecting an object from the floor. The circuit must include at least one head first and one feet first surface dive.
• Tread water for two minutes without floatation equipment rotating 360 degrees once.
• Float for 90 seconds, without floatation equipment with minimal movement in simulated rough/moving water.
• Swim a distance of 200 metres.
• Swim 50 metres using a recognisable stroke to a floating object then stop in deep water and signal for help.
• Perform the Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP) for three minutes with a lifejacket/Personal Floatation Device (PFD).
• Perform the Huddle Position with at least three other participants without floatation equipment; rotate and signal for help.
• Climb out from the side, without using the steps or rail or any other assistance.
• Perform a shout and signal rescue.
• Share at least three facts about the effects of cold water shock and show understanding of how to manage its effects.
• Give two examples of local hazards and how to minimise risks when around them.