PROGRAMMES
TEACHING
At Swim Scoil, we deliver a progressive swim education programme over 8 weeks, with 30-minute lessons designed to develop essential aquatic skills, build water-safety competence, and enhance swimming technique through measurable learning outcomes.
Progression through levels is based on the consistent demonstration of defined learning outcomes during lessons, rather than time spent in the programme.
BEGINNERS 1
Foundational Aquatic Skills
Focus: Building foundational competencies in the aquatic environment.
Learners will develop:
• Controlled submersion and rhythmic breathing
• Supported front and back flotation with correct body position
• Basic kicking mechanics
• Awareness of pool safety rules and risk minimisation
Objective: Establish secure orientation in the water and essential water-safety behaviours as preparation for independent movement.
BEGINNERS 2
Independent Water Motion
Focus: Transition from assisted to independent movement.
Learners will develop:
• Sustained front and back floats without support
• Body alignment and balance in the water
• Coordination of arm and leg actions for propulsion
• Controlled transitions between body positions
Objective: Strengthen water-safety skills and fundamental swimming motions as the foundation for formal stroke development.
INTERMEDIATE 1
Skill Refinement and Technique Introduction
Focus: Refinement of basic skills and introduction of structured stroke mechanics.
Learners will develop:
• Coordinated front crawl and backstroke actions
• Breathing integration with propulsion movements
• Basic breaststroke kick and glide patterns
• Short distance swimming with correct form
Objective: Enhance technique and control to support efficient and technically competent swimming.
INTERMEDIATE 2
Enhanced Stroke Coordination & Endurance
Focus: Advancement of swimming technique, endurance, and early butterfly coordination.
Learners will develop:
• Improved efficiency in front crawl and backstroke
• Breaststroke coordination of arms, legs, and breathing
• Introduction to butterfly kick mechanics
• Steady rhythm and increased swimming distance
Objective: Build technical proficiency and endurance to support progression into advanced four-stroke development.
ADVANCED 1
Four-Stroke Development and Butterfly Progression
Focus: Continued development of all four strokes with an emphasis on consolidating butterfly technique.
Learners will develop:
• Improved technical consistency in front crawl, backstroke, and breaststroke
• Continued development of butterfly technique, building on foundational skills introduced at Intermediate 2
• Refinement of butterfly body position, dolphin kick coordination, and breathing timing
• Improved stroke rhythm, balance, and efficiency across all strokes
• Increased swimming distance with controlled technique and pacing
• Controlled execution of skills in deeper water
Objective: Strengthen four-stroke proficiency while developing a reliable and technically correct butterfly stroke suitable for sustained swimming over distance.
ADVANCED 2
Comprehensive Aquatic Proficiency
Focus: Mastery of all four competitive strokes, including butterfly.
Learners will develop:
• Consistent, technically correct performance of front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly
• Mastery of butterfly technique including body undulation, timing, breathing, and stroke sustainability
• Ability to maintain correct technique across longer distances and repeated efforts
• Improved efficiency, control, and stroke economy
• Controlled swimming in a range of pool depths and conditions
• Readiness for higher training demands or transition into coaching-level instruction
Objective: Achieve full four-stroke mastery with particular emphasis on sustained and technically sound butterfly swimming.
COACHING
Coaching sessions extend beyond core swimming instruction and are designed for swimmers who have demonstrated strong technical ability and consistent stroke competence. These 1-hour sessions combine advanced stroke development across all four strokes, endurance training, and age-appropriate water-safety awareness. Instruction focuses on developing technical proficiency while helping swimmers understand safe behaviour and personal responsibility in the aquatic environment.
Progression within coaching levels is based on demonstrated technical competence, consistency, and the ability to apply skills under controlled conditions.
Water-safety elements within the coaching programme are delivered as educational awareness and personal safety instruction only. These sessions do not include rescue training, lifesaving instruction, or lifeguard skills, and do not constitute any form of certification.
COACHING 1
Four-Stroke Development and Personal Water Safety Awareness
Focus: Consolidation and refinement of all four strokes with increased technical demands.
Learners will develop:
• Improved efficiency and consistency in front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly
• Refinement of butterfly body position, timing, and breathing coordination
• Enhanced stroke rhythm and efficiency over longer distances
• Controlled deep-water swimming and controlled pool entry and exit
• Understanding of personal safety, fatigue management, and risk awareness in the pool environment
• Awareness of appropriate responses to risk situations, including alerting an instructor or lifeguard rather than intervening
Objective: Extend four-stroke competence beyond basic mastery while reinforcing safe, responsible behaviour in an aquatic setting.
COACHING 2
Advanced Four-Stroke Proficiency and Applied Safety Awareness
Focus: High-level stroke development, endurance, and skill application.
Learners will develop:
• Advanced technical consistency across all four competitive strokes
• Improved efficiency, pacing, and stamina during extended swimming sets
• Further development of butterfly power, rhythm, and stroke sustainability
• Controlled underwater orientation and surface recovery skills appropriate to ability and pool depth
• Application of water-safety principles in personal practice, including recognising risk, managing exertion, and making safe decisions
• Understanding of appropriate escalation procedures and when to seek assistance
Objective: Develop advanced aquatic proficiency and mature personal safety awareness suitable for higher training demands or transition to structured club environments.