Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child is under 4 and a half years old?
Why do you do swim assessments?
What about if we are booking siblings in for lessons?
Will there still be certificates and badges?
How do pupils progress?
How many pupils will be in a class?
What do swimmers do after PROgression 7?
What happens at half term?
How can I help children settle in?
Where do I go for lessons?
Can I watch my child swim?
Why is my teacher not here today?
What if I want to change day?
Can my child move class?
The children look like they are playing during the lesson?
Why is my child only swimming widths?
How can I speak to a Swimming Teacher?
What is the purpose of the Ducklings Parent and Child Class?
What if there is a fire drill during the lessons?
What can you offer for Masters / Adult Lessons?
How do you monitor quality assurance?
AquaQuack only takes swimmers in to mainstream classes at four
and a half in line with starting school. We run Adult and Baby
Duckling classes for children from 2 years old. One adult for each
child means they get individual attention and a lot of movement,
with a teacher there to direct development activities. Personalised
reward charts are used to encourage development.
To maximise the development of your child and to enable us to
place your child in the best possible class, we ask that you contact
the centre to book on to one of our assessment days prior to the first
swimming lesson. The swim assessment will take no more than 15 minutes
and is free.
We place each pupil in their correct ability class whilst aiming to
accommodate them at your preferred time and on the same day as any siblings.
We will prioritise placing them in their correct ability group to maximise learning.
There are certificates, postcards and badges which are given out at various points in their AquaQuack development.
Pupils progress from FUNdamentals where they use body belts, to PROgressions. Throughout the
term pupils will be assessed and their achievements recognised in certificates.
We have low pupil to teacher ratio to maximise learning. FUNdamentals are taught in classes of
4 - 7, and PROgressions taught in groups up to 8 or 9.
Pupils can attend the Gulls Swimming Club which maintains Progression 7 standard technique and teaches competition skills. They could also sign up with local Rookie Lifesaving, Synchronised Swimming, Waterpolo, or competitive Swimming Clubs
There are no term time lessons in school holidays, however there may be Crash Course Top up
Classes which concentrate on certain topics over 5 half hour lessons Monday to Friday.
For the younger child we encourage a visit to the pool before this day. There are photos of the
swim team displayed at the leisure centre and a board which shows the development scheme. Practices
at bath time, such as blowing bubbles, putting their face in the water and lying on their back, can
aid development.
Pupils will meet on the poolside promptly at the start of the lesson. The registration point is
under the class and teachers name on the poolside.
You may watch from the spectator area on the side of the pool. Please ensure that any younger
siblings are not near the side of the pool and do not detract from the format of the lesson.
We aim to provide a consistent learning environment and request teachers to miss a maximum of 3
sessions per term. Rather than cancelling the classes it is more beneficial for the pupil to
continue to learn and so we supply teachers will be used. Sometimes alternative teachers will be
used to provide secondary assessment or support. Our teachers are committed to the progress of
their pupils and to the continuous improvement of their skills. They are all fully qualified swimming
teachers with enhanced CRB check.
If you wish to change days you will need to request the change at reception. The swim school
administrator will then contact you with any alternative days at the same level. If there are no
vacancies in the same level, the pupil will need to stay in that class or be put on a reserve list.
To ensure development of the pupil and the whole class only Swim School staff will be able to
recommend a change of level.
Pupils will remain in the same class unless the swim school team feels there is reason for them
to change classes. Classes will develop through the FUNdamentals and PROgressions together. An
Instructor will communicate with you if they feel your child would benefit from moving to a different
class. Children must succeed across all four strokes and be at a similar level for all of them in
order to move to the next class. Many children find it difficult to conquer breaststroke and so a
breaststroke top up class may aid this.
Children learn best through exploration. Games allow for breath control, floatation,
coordination, rotation and independence in the water and motivate pupils. FUNdamentals lessons
teach basic movements and water confidence through fun themed lessons.
We concentrate on technique and swimming skills such as floatation, rotation, breathing skills
and water safety. We prioritise technique over distance at first and so at times you may feel that
your child is swimming less distance than you are used to. However the techniques and tasks we are
asking them to do will be challenging them in a different way.
Learning is a three way process between teacher, parent and child. Our Instructors will communicate feedback to children throughout the lesson and will speak to parents about any specific concerns. At the start of the term it is useful for parents to communicate any factors which may affect the child's learning to the teacher directly. Please feel free to speak with the Instructors but remember they may have other classes scheduled. You can leave a note at reception and they will contact you or arrange a swim clinic. The last week of each term is a Funsplash which is an excellent time for parents and teachers to discuss the progress of the pupil.
These classes allow children to settle in to the pool environment and to learn basic skills
such as a horizontal body position, breath control, floatation, coordination, rotation and
independence in the water.
The Swim teachers and staff team will assemble them at the fire meeting point. Swimmers can be collected from this point but should ensure they have been signed out with the teachers.
We run one hour adult lessons, where adults will have the sole use of the pool. This session
will be flexible to accommodate beginners to improvers. It allows time
for practice in between more structured activities.
We ask for feedback at the end of each term from all parents and adult learners. However, we also value the learners' experience and ask children whether they have enjoyed the lesson. We also ask for feedback from older children on a written form once a year. We are committed to the learning and development of all are Instructors and have termly training sessions on teaching techniques, first aid and class management.