How is the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme structured?
- England
- Swim England
- Learn to Swim
- Swimming lessons
- Stages 1-7
- 2026
- Parents
- Ages 4-11
The Learn to Swim Programme is Swim England's national teaching syllabus. It has three main frameworks, each ending in a medal:
- Pre-School Framework builds early water confidence and basic movement skills. Its awards include Discovery Duckling 1-4, Duckling 1-4, I CAN, and Adult and Child.
- Learn to Swim Framework (Stages 1-7) is the core of the programme and the backbone of lessons for primary school children aged 4 and above. Children learn all four strokes: front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, plus water safety skills.
- Aquatic Skills Framework (Stages 8-10) builds sport-specific skills in swimming, diving, artistic swimming or water polo.
Alongside the stages there are complementary awards such as Rainbow Distance, Water Safety and Water Skills awards. There is also an Adult Swimming Framework.
Added 21 Oct 2026