ASA NATIONAL CURRICULUM TRAINING PROGRAMME

Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming (17 hours) – Key Stages 1 and 2

This training programme may be delivered as two discrete but connected modules or as one integrated programme. Teachers completing module 1 only will be qualified to assist a more qualified swimming teacher whilst those who complete modules one and two (see actual module for full details), or this integrated programme, will be qualified to teach unsupervised.

1Title

Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming

2Pre-requisites

-Qualified Teacher status (QTS)

-Teachers in training may also take part in the ASA NCTP. A letter confirming attendance on the programme will be provided which can be exchanged for a certificate on completion of the teacher training course and submission of the appropriate evidence.

3Aim

To equip a qualified school teacher to teach unsupervised a range of aquatic skills to groups.

4Objectives

4.1To familiarise teachers with the TOPS Swim Resource.

Syllabus:

-Overview of the cards; relationship to National Curriculum; requirements for Physical Education e.g. four aspects of physical education; scope of cards e.g. multi discipline; Health & fitness; school club links; water safety

4.2To equip the teacher with basic technical knowledge

Syllabus

4.2.1Key underpinning skills – what are they and why are they important?

-Safe entries and exits including use of steps, swivel entry, climbing out

-Floating

-Breath control and initial submersion

-Regaining the standing position

-Sculling

-Streamlining

-Transition to deep water, including treading water

-Using games to develop key underpinning skills

-Issues related to teaching non swimmers

Development of a range of aquatic skills

-safe feet first entries

-floating

-submersion, including swimming underwater and picking up objects

-vertical and horizontal rotation, including front and back somersaults in the water

-sequencing

4.2.2Key principles related to the four recognised strokes

-Body position and influence of head position

-Alternating actions – key points related to Frontcrawl and Backcrawl

-Simultaneous actions – key points related to Breaststroke and Butterfly

-Using BLABT as an observation technique

-Development of technique through the use of progressive practices and games activities; identification of faults, causes and corrections

4.2.3Fundamentals

-Flotation, resistance, propulsion and rotation

-Acquisition of skill – repetition and reinforcement

-Principles and practise of stroke analysis

4.3To assist the teacher to transfer existing teaching skills into the pool environment

Syllabus

-Management of the pool environment

-Positioning on the poolside

-Working with a small and large group

-Visual communication and demonstration

-Working with different abilities, including more advanced swimmers

4.4To equip the teacher with knowledge of Health and Safety in the pool environment.

Syllabus

-Role and responsibilities.

-Legal requirements.

-Practical application of NOPs and EAPs.

-Knowledge of types and location of rescue equipment.

4.5To equip the teacher with basic water safety knowledge

-water safety code

-safety in and around water including introducing swimmers to risk assessment

-introduction to non contact rescues

4.6To assist the teacher to develop swimming and water safety within their own school.

Syllabus

-Planning an effective school programme.

-School/club links.

-Role of the ESSA/ASA/RLSS

-Legal responsibility of the teacher

4.7To familiarise the teacher with the school / club links programme

Syllabus

-What can schools do?

-Swim 21 and accredited clubs

-School teachers / swimming teacher relationship

4.8To identify a range of suitable additional resources

Syllabus

-National Plan for Teaching Swimming

-National Curriculum Resource Pack

-Water Safety Teachers Pack

-Incentive Award Scheme

-QCA Safe Swimming web-site

5Method of Assessment

Each teacher will be continuously assessed within the practical context through the use of an assessment checklist, oral questioning and logbook. Throughout the course there should be a gradual increase in the number of pupils taught. Teachers should be given the opportunity to teach a group comprising of between 8-12 swimmers

6Time Allocation

11 hours theoretical content.

6 hours practical content to include

-TOP Sport Swimming

-Practical application of Health and Safety provision.

-Development of those skills included in this syllabus.

-Working with a group.

-Working with different abilities.

-A lesson demonstration given by the Tutor illustrating a mixed ability lesson.

NB The exact detail of what is covered in the practical session will be decided through consultation between the Course Tutor and the Course Organiser. Flexibility is allowed to increase the amount of practical activity and thus reducing the 11 hours theoretical content.

7Course Administration

-Each course will normally comprise a maximum of 12 candidates.

-All administration will be through the ASA Education office.

8Level of Responsibility

This certificate will equip a teacher to take a group* of children without additional supervision (this does not include appropriate life guarding provision).

* The number in the group is determined by the ability of the swimmer and industry recommendation related to teacher ratio as stated in the publication ‘Safe Supervision for the Teaching and Coaching of Swimming’ (see note 10).

9Supplementary Notes

9.1The teaching of swimming in schools is often carried out by a number of different parties. Experience would suggest that the most successful programmes are those where a fully qualified swimming teacher works closely with a qualified classroom teacher although in some instances the classroom teacher may also be a qualified swimming teacher. Therefore, it is recommended that where this relationship is well established there is great value in both parties attending this workshop. This will help to facilitate the sharing of ideas and expertise and will help to build on the strength of both parties. The requirement to hold the ASA Level 2 Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming applies only to swimming teachers (not DfES qualified) who deliver swimming to primary schools.

9.2The ASA has been recognised by the Professional Development Board for Physical Education as a licensed provider of CPD, providing CPD opportunities for school teachers. In addition the ASA National Curriculum Training Programme has been kite marked by the Professional Development Board as being of high quality and appropriate to primary school teachers delivering the swimming component of the National Curriculum.

9.3A pre course book is available to accompany the course. Additional copies priced at £5.00 per book can be ordered through Cheryl Cooper at the ASA Workforce Development on 01509 615444.

9.4TOP Sport Swimming cards are provided as part of the course (subject to external funding).

9.5Candidates who achieve the standard required will be issued with the ASA Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming.

9.6Delivery of the course syllabus will be planned by the Course Tutor following consultation with the Course Organiser.

10Additional Recommended Reading (not provided as part of the course)

-Swimming, Teaching and Coaching Level 1(ASA)

-National Curriculum Resource Pack (ASA)

-National Plan for Teaching Swimming – Module 2(ASA)

(Non-swimmer, Beginner & Improver 1)

-Safe Supervision for Teaching & Coaching (ISRM)

ASA publications are available to order from the ASA Awards Centre 0800 220292

ISRM publication is available to order by telephone 01509 226474

ASA National Curriculum Training ProgrammeRevised August 2005

Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming

ASA NATIONAL CURRICULUM TRAINING PROGRAMME

Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming (17 hours)

EXAMPLE PROGRAMME

This outline programme is provided for guidance only and illustrates a reasonable balance between theory and practise. It is recognised, however, that local circumstances and the availability of facilities may influence the course structure.

Tutors are reminded that the delivery of this certificate should be interactive and long sections related to technique should be avoided. Teachers taking this module should be introduced to the key aspects of technique, but not in detail. At this stage it is more important to enthuse and encourage teachers to want to teach swimming than to seek to achieve the impossible i.e. develop a detailed knowledge of technique in such a short time. Pointing teachers in the direction of additional resources is one way of helping to develop a higher degree of technical knowledge.

DAY 1

9.00Introduction & Welcome15 minutes

  • overview of the day
  • clarification of any issues

9.15Frontcrawl and backcrawl60 minutes

What do the strokes look like and what are the key points

Resources: Stroke CD’s

National Swim Posters

Course Handbook

See syllabus 4.2.2

10.15Break

10.30Fundamentals15 minutes

See syllabus 4.2.3

10.45Key Underpinning Skills45 minutes

What are they and why are they important?

Resource:National Plan Posters

See syllabus 4.2.1

11.30Introduction to the TOP Swim Cards60 minutes

See syllabus 4.1

12.30 Lunch

13.00Water Safety30 minutes

See syllabus 4.5

Resources: Top Swim Cards

Course Handbook

13.30Transfer to the pool

13.40Working in a pool environment20 minutes

See syllabus 4.3

14.00Teaching key underpinning skills70 minutes

  • candidates in the water
  • tutor led

See syllabus 4.2.1

15.10Discussion on practical activity20 minutes

15.30National Curriculum Programme of Study at KS230 minutes

Discussion

16.00Depart

DAY 2

9.00Breaststroke and Butterfly60 minutes

What do the strokes look like and what are the key points?

Resources: Stroke CD’s

National Swim Posters

Course Handbook

See syllabus 4.2.2

10.00Development of a range of aquatic skills30 minutes

See syllabus 4.2.1

10.30Break

10.45Further exploration of TOP Swim Cards60 minutes

See syllabus 4.1

11.45Issues related to the teaching of non swimmers45 minutes

See syllabus 4.2.1

12.30Lunch

13.00Preparation for practical teaching30 minutes

  • teachers working in pairs

Resources: TOP Swim Cards

National Plan Posters

13.30Transfer to the pool

13.45Teaching key underpinning skills and the development of a 90 minutes

range of aquatic skills

  • 2/4 pupils per pair
  • skills covering a range of abilities

See syllabus 4.2.1

15.15Pupils depart

15.45Discussion on teaching activity15 minutes

Working with different abilities

See syllabus 4.3

16.00Depart

DAY 3

9.00Health & Safety and Roles & Responsibilities30 minutes

See syllabus 4.4

9.30Planning the School Programme30 minutes

Discussion of issues

See syllabus 4.6 and 4.7

10.00Practices, progressions and the development of technique30 minutes

See syllabus 4.2.2

Resource:National Plan User Guide

10.30Break

10.45Practices, progressions and the development of technique30 minutes

See syllabus 4.2.2

11.15Plan for practical teaching45 minutes

12.00Lunch

12.30Transfer to pool

12.45Teaching a mixed ability group – Tutor demonstration30 minutes

13.15Discussion on practical activity15 minutes

13.30Teaching a groups (8-12 pupils)90 minutes

  • in pairs – one teaching, one observing
  • each pair to be given the opportunity to teach a minimum of 2 difference ability groups

15.00Pupils depart

15.15Discussion on practical activity30 minutes

15.45Any issues15 minutes

16.00Depart

ASA National Curriculum Training ProgrammeRevised August 2005

Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming