Children’s Swimming Lessons – improvers

Goldfish Series – Building Strong Swimmers

Our children’s swimming lessons follow the internationally recognised STA awards. The Goldfish Series is the natural progression for children who have completed either the STAnley First Steps Series or Octopus Series. This exciting programme consists of 3 progressive awards that expand on fundamental skills in a fun, challenging, and rewarding way.

Programme Goal: By completion of the Goldfish Series, your child will be able to swim 15 metres without any aid and perform basic floats with confidence.

Goldfish Award 1 – Developing Technique

Key Focus: Stroke development and water confidence

At this level, children build on their foundation skills and begin developing recognisable swimming strokes.

Learning Outcomes:

• Answer 2 water safety questions
• Enter the water with a step or jump entry, tread water for 5 seconds, and swim to poolside
• Push and glide, holding a streamlined position for 5 seconds
• Push and glide or swim to the bottom of the pool to retrieve an object
• Swim 5 metres on front, roll over and swim 5 metres on back
• Perform dolphin leg kick on front or back for 5 metres
• Scull head first for 2 metres
• Scull feet first using a woggle for support
• Show rhythmical breathing in front crawl for 10 metres using a woggle or float
• Swim a recognisable breaststroke for 5 metres

Goldfish Award 2 – Refining Skills

Key Focus: Extended distances and stroke choice

Children continue to develop their swimming ability with increased distances and greater independence in the water.

Learning Outcomes:

• Answer 2 water safety questions
• Perform a back float, tuck to a front float and return to standing position
• Scull head first for 5 metres and feet first for 3 metres
• Push and glide on the back, tuck, rotate to the front and return to starting point
• Swim 10 metres of a recognised front stroke – either front crawl or breaststroke (learner’s first choice)
• Swim back crawl for 10 metres
• Swim 5 metres of a recognised front stroke (learner’s second choice)
• Push and glide to the bottom of the pool, tuck, place feet on the bottom and spring up
• Perform a mushroom float and hold for 3 seconds, extend to a front float and return to standing
• Enter the water with a step or jump entry, swim 5 metres on front, then swim to poolside and exit water safely

Goldfish Award 3 – Confident Swimming

Key Focus: Independence and extended swimming distances

The final Goldfish award demonstrates that your child has become a confident, capable swimmer ready for more advanced training.

Learning Outcomes:

• Answer 2 water safety questions
• Perform 2 different types of entries and tread water for 15 seconds each time (performed in shoulder-deep water)
• Swim 15 metres of back crawl
• Swim 15 metres of a recognised front stroke – either front crawl or breaststroke
• Swim 10 metres holding a float under each arm, using lifesaving backstroke leg kick
• Swim 5 metres using dolphin leg kick on front
• Swim 5 metres using dolphin leg kick on back
• Perform a handstand with both hands on the pool floor (performed in chest-deep water)
• Perform a horizontal float on the back and hold for 5 seconds, roll onto front and hold for 5 seconds, roll back to original back float position and hold for 5 seconds
• Submerge, push and glide on the side, roll to a face-down position

Why Choose Watersplash Dolphins for Children’s Swimming Lessons?

Qualified, Experienced Instructors

Our swimming teachers are fully qualified and experienced in teaching children of all ages and abilities. They create a supportive, encouraging environment where every child can thrive.

Progressive, Award-Based Learning

We follow the internationally recognised STA (Swimming Teachers’ Association) award scheme, which provides clear progression pathways and celebrates achievement at every stage. Children receive certificates and badges as they complete each award, maintaining motivation and pride in their accomplishments.

Small Class Sizes

We maintain appropriate teacher-to-student ratios to ensure every child receives individual attention and progresses at their own pace.

Water Safety Focus

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Every lesson incorporates water safety education, ensuring children not only learn to swim but also understand how to stay safe in and around water.

Fun and Engaging Lessons

We believe learning to swim should be enjoyable. Our lessons incorporate games, challenges, and varied activities to keep children engaged and excited about swimming.

Flexible Scheduling

We offer lessons at various times throughout the week to accommodate busy family schedules.

Book Your Children’s Swimming Lessons Today

Give your child the gift of swimming confidence and water safety. Our children’s swimming lessons provide expert instruction in a supportive, fun environment where every child can succeed.

Contact Watersplash Dolphins:

• Phone: 07930 266863
• Email: swim@watersplashdolphins.co.uk

We offer trial lessons so your child can experience our teaching approach before committing to a full term. Spaces are limited, so contact us today to secure your child’s place in our award-winning swimming programme.