Octotots Academy
Our Octotots Academy programme for children aged 4-6 years is focused on independent swimming. Parents/carers play a much smaller role in the classes (but are still in the water), and the children are using all the skills they have learnt previously to swim without support.
These classes are also suitable for older children (5-6 years) who have had no previous swimming experience and want to learn to swim. Being older means they are able to follow instruction and listen to instructors, but still have a parent/carer in the water to help them build confidence while learning something that is completely new to them.
While in Octotots Academy classes, instructors are continually assessing children to ensure that, when they are ready, they are offered a move to our Octokidz programme which is when the parent/carers are no longer in the water.
For more information on our classes and what to expect, please download our Swimmer Information Pack (1.7Mb).
Academy Programme
Age 4 years+
As we enter the Academy stages there is much more focus on independent swimming – and this is our final push to get children swimming a minimum of 10 metres independently (no parent, no float, no noodles).
Academy classes are predominantly aimed at children from 4 years of age, so we are looking for them to listen and follow instruction. Parents are still in the water with children at this level but their role is very much reduced. Parents and carers are there to offer confidence and encouragement to help the children thrive before they move to classes without mum or dad there.
Our Academy Programme follows the STA’s STAnley Series, and each term parents will receive a progress report showing how their child is doing against set skills and criteria.
If your child is 4 and has never done swimming lessons before, our Academy classes are an excellent place to start. Unlike many providers, we believe that having parents and carers in the water makes a world of a difference to the wee ones’ confidence and willingness to try and challenge themselves.
Levels 1 - 3
The chart above shows the progression through our Academy Programme. Levels 1 – 3 are aimed at children who are new to swimming but are old enough to follow instruction. These classes are also suitable for younger children progressing from our toddler classes, building on the skills they have already learned.
Levels 4 & 5
Levels 4 and 5 are aimed at intermediate swimmers able to do a degree of movement in the water themselves. Confident to put their face in the water and blow bubbles and float.
Levels 6 - 8
Levels 6 – 8 are for our advanced swimmers who are able to move through the water independently and are working to 10 meter swims, jumping in and floating are mastered and we building on these.