Award Programme

From time to time parents like to know the outcomes for each award within the Excel Swim Programme.

We have listed below an informative guide as set out by the Amateur Swimming Association. It is important to remember that children learn at their own pace and although we recognize individual levels of achievements and can award Certificates and Badges at the end of each term, we feel it is far more important that each and every child becomes a confident and safe swimmer in their own time.

Duckling Grade 1

  1. Make a supervised safe entry with adult support.
  2. Kick 2 metres on the back with adult support.
  3. Float on the back with adult support behind the head.
  4. Blow bubbles at the water surface.
  5. Wet the head without submersion.
  6. Travel without assistance 2 metres to a floating object.

Duckling Grade 2

  1. Make a sitting entry with adult support.
  2. Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres.
  3. Using a buoyancy aid, rotate through 180 degrees without assistance.
  4. Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without assistance.
  5. Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without assistance.
  6. Submerge the face with confidence.

Duckling Grade 3

  1. Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support.
  2. Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float).
  3. Blow bubbles with the mouth underwater.
  4. Flat on front or back without adult support.
  5. Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool.
  6. Show a torpedo shape on front or back when pushed to a partner.

Duckling Grade 4

  1. Jump unaided, but supervised into the water.
  2. Submerge completely.
  3. Rotate through 360 degrees either horizontally or vertically.
  4. Show a mushroom or star float.
  5. Travel without assistance 10 metres on the front or back.
  6. Climb out of the water with assistance if required

Duckling Grade 5

  1. This Grade must be achieved without the use of buoyancy aids or adult support and assistance.
  2. Show the sequence to jump in the water, turn around, swim back to the point of entry and hold the rail or side.
  3. Submerge completely and blow bubbles under water.
  4. Push and glide achieving a distance of 2 metres on the front or back.
  5. Float on the front or back and regain standing/vertical position.
  6. Swim 5 metres on the front or back using an over water are recovery.
  7. Exit safely showing correct use of the ladder (or steps if no ladder is available).

Stage 1

  1. Enter the water safely.
  2. Move forwards for a distance of 5m.
  3. Move backwards for a distance of 5m.
  4. Move sideways for distance of 5m.
  5. Scoop the water and wash face.
  6. Be at ease with water showered from overhead.
  7. Move into a stretched floating position using aids, equipment or support.
  8. Regain an upright position from on the back with support.
  9. Regain an upright position from on the front with support.
  10. Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall.
  11. Take part in a teacher led partner orientated game.
  12. Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules.
  13. Exit the water safely.

Stage 2

  1. Jump in from poolside safely.
  2. Blow bubbles a minimum of 3 times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged.
  3. Regain upright position from the back without support.
  4. Regain an upright position from the front without support.
  5. Push from wall and glide on the back.
  6. Push from wall and glide on the front.
  7. Travel on the back for 5m, aids or equipment may be used.
  8. Travel on the front for 5m, aids or equipment may be used.
  9. Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position.
  10. Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position.

Stage 3

  1. Jump in from poolside and submerge .
  2. Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position.
  3. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back.
  4. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front.
  5. Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return to the back.
  6. Fully submerge to pick up an object.
  7. Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code.
  8. Travel 10m on the back.
  9. Travel 10m on the front.

Stage 4

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy.
  2. Perform a tuck flat for the five seconds.
  3. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating at the surface.
  4. Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor.
  5. Kick 10m backstroke (equipment optional).
  6. Kick 10m front crawl (equipment optional).
  7. Kick 10m butterfly on the front or back (equipment optional).
  8. Kick 10m breaststroke on the back (equipment optional).
  9. Kick 10m breaststroke on the front (equipment optional).
  10. Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5m in a horizontal position.
  11. Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement onto front.
  12. Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement onto back.
  13. Swim 10m, choice of stroke is optional.

Stage 5

  1. Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back.
  2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5m whilst horizontal on the back.
  3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation.
  4. Tread water for 30 seconds.
  5. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water.
  6. Swim 10m backstroke.
  7. Swim 10m front crawl face in the water.
  8. Swim 10m breaststroke.
  9. Swim 10m butterfly.
  10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds.
  11. Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water/li>
  12. Demonstrate an action for getting help.

Stage 6

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise.
  2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke/li>
  3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl.
  4. Swim 10m with clothes on.
  5. Swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  6. Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  7. Swim butterfly to include at least six rhythmical breaths.
  8. Swim 25m, choice of stroke is optional.
  9. Perform a "shout and signal" rescue.
  10. Perform a surface dive.
  11. Exit the water without using steps.

Stage 7

  1. Swim 25m backstroke.
  2. Swim 25m Front crawl.
  3. Swim 25m breaststroke.
  4. Swim 25m butterfly.
  5. Perform a movement sequence of one minute duration in a group of three or more, incorporating a number skills.
  6. Perform a sitting dive.
  7. Swim 50m continuously using one stroke.
  8. Swim 100m, using a minimum of three different strokes.
  9. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds.
  10. Complete an obstacle course using 4 objects with feet off the bottom throughout.