We follow both the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme and the STA International Learn to Swim Programme (ILSP). Both programmes are recognised nationwide and focus on building water confidence, developing aquatic skills and promoting an understanding of water safety.

Surrey Swim School also offers additional awards, including distance badges, to recognise and celebrate each swimmer’s progress.

We offer Parent & Child lessons for babies and toddlers (from 3 months to 3 years) following the STA Starfish awards - a gentle, progressive programme that introduces children to the water and builds early confidence with the support of a parent or caregiver.

Our Tadpole swimmers (aged 3-4) progress through the STA STAnley series consisting of seven progressive awards designed to develop basic swimming and water safety skills, progressing from supported learning with floatation aids to independent swimming.

For swimmers aged 5 and above, we follow the Swim England Learn to Swim framework based on sound, technical and educational principles. The core Stages are 1-7 develop a wide range of skills from water confidence to treading water, and technique across all four strokes over increasing distances.

Once these Stages are chieved, swimmers can progress to Stages 8-10, which introduce more advanced skills and provide pathways into competitive swimming and other aquatic disciplines such as rookie lifesaving, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming.

Our Swimming Pathway

Parent & Child (3 months – 3 years)
STA Starfish awards
A gentle introduction to the water with a parent or caregiver, building early confidence and water skills.

Tadpoles (3–4 years)
STAnley 1–7
A structured introduction to swimming and water safety, progressing from supported learning to independent movement.

Minnows – Stage 1
For children with little or no water confidence, learning to travel with aids and support.

Seahorses – Stage 2 / Water Skills 1
5m
For children who are water confident and able to swim 5m on front and back without aids.

Frogs – Stage 3 / Water Skills 2
10m
For swimmers able to swim 5m on front and back without aids.

Seals – Stage 4 / Water Skills 3
25m (front and back)
For swimmers able to swim 10m on front and back.

Dolphins – Stage 5 / Water Skills 4
50m+ including all strokes
For swimmers able to swim 25m front and back.

Otters – Stage 6 / Water Skills 5
100m
For confident swimmers across all strokes.

Marlins – Stage 7 / Bronze Challenge
200m – 400m
For strong swimmers with recognised strokes.

Penguins – Stage 8 / Silver Challenge
800m
For strong swimmers across all four strokes.

King Penguins – Stage 9 / Gold Challenge
1000m – 1 mile
For advanced swimmers with strong technique.

Emperor Penguins – Stage 10
2000m – 3000m
Advanced swimmers with turns and starts across all strokes.

Rookie Lifeguard
Bronze / Silver / Gold
For swimmers at Stage 6+ developing lifesaving skills.

Junior Fitness
For strong lane swimmers focusing on technique and fitness.