22
Nov

The SwimEasy Passport to Successful Swimming

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SwimEasy is different from all other swimming lesson programmes. SwimEasy provides parents and children with an ongoing record of their child’s personal achievements.  The benefits of operating an ongoing assessment for each child is that we recognise the fact that not all children progress at the same rate. Children move up a Level and are promoted to the next Stage when they are ready, not at the end of a term. Therefore, we excel in providing individual attention within a group set up.

What is it?

All children receive a Passport Assessment booklet called ‘My Swim Easy Passport to Successful Swimming’. Children bring the Passport to every lesson.

Our ‘Passport’ system provides an improved explanation of the progression, ability levels and Stages that a child will go through during swimming lessons.  The passport was developed, written and designed exclusively by Gail Smith at SwimEasy.  It complies with national standards laid down by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and the Scottish ASA and contains levels of excellence expected by Swim Australia, the industry regulator of swim schools in Australia.  The ‘Passport’ system offers a unique method of providing awards for achievement.

How does it work?

There are 7 progressive Stages and in each Stage, there are 3 Levels for the children to complete.  Each level is made up of swimming and water skills that the children must successfully master before they can try the next Level.   Our aim is to progress children through the Levels as quickly as possible.  However, we always ensure that the swimmers do not miss out on learning the basic underlying skills. The Passport has been designed to last throughout the child’s swimming career with SwimEasy and beyond.

Stages:

Pre- School

Non-Swimmer

Beginner

Learner

Improver

SwimWell

SwimFast

Levels:

  • 1, 2 and 3 within each stage.
  • A standard rate of progression is a 4 blocks of 8 attended lessons to complete an Ability Stage however the dynamic of the SwimEasy programme is that children move on up after 3 blocks of 8.
  • The exception will occur for SwimFaster which may take 1 to 2 terms only.

What does your child need to do?

Before the lesson begins the child will give the Passport to their teacher. The child’s name should be written clearly on the Passport in the space provided. The teacher will place the Passport into a waterproof manila folder provided.  Please note that some of the new style passports booklets are made from a water resistant material which will allow for splashing, however the Passport should be kept dry and we provide all children with a plastic clip wallet for this purpose. However care must be taken when handling the Passport to ensure that it lasts the duration, which in some cases will be for up to five years. If a Passport is lost or permanently damaged and requires to be replaced then a new one must be purchased; if teachers are seen to take little care of Passports in their charge they too can be charged for the replacement.

During each lesson the teacher will continually assess each pupil’s progress and stickers will be allocated for the various skills or levels that may have been achieved; this will normally take place around half way through each lesson. The teacher will initial where the new sticker goes within the Passport and each child will be personally involved with this process. After the initials are marked on the Passport, the Lessons Manager/Co-ordinator will ensure that the relevant stickers are placed in the plastic envelope holder and parents then assist the children to stick in the smiley faces. When the lesson finishes the teacher will return the Passport to the child initialled.