Junior School Swimming
Confidence, skill and enjoyment in every splash
Swimming is an important part of life at St Christopher School, Letchworth. Our Junior School swimming lessons form a key element of our physical education programme, helping every child to develop confidence, coordination and an essential life skill. All lessons take place in our on-site 25-metre, four-lane heated indoor swimming pool, providing a safe and supportive environment for students to learn, practise and thrive in the water.
During the first few weeks of term, our specialist swimming teachers take time to get to know each child, reviewing previous assessments and observing their current ability, water confidence and technique. Based on these insights, students are placed into smaller groups of three to six swimmers to ensure individual attention and focused progress.
For Our Younger Swimmers (Nursery - Year 2)
Our youngest pupils begin their swimming journey by developing water confidence and awareness. Lessons are centred around helping children move independently through the water, using a range of skills and playful techniques that build familiarity and trust in the pool environment.
For Our Older Swimmers (Year 3 - Year 6)
As pupils grow, so too does their skill and understanding of the water. Our swimming lessons for Years 3 to 6 focus on enhancing technique, developing stamina and exploring a wider range of aquatic activities. Children learn to swim confidently over increasing distances, while enjoying opportunities to try new challenges when ready.
Learning the Four Strokes
At St Chris, we teach all four main swimming strokes – Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke and Butterfly – throughout the academic year. Each half term, lessons focus on one specific stroke, while revisiting others during warm-ups to maintain continuity. By the end of the year, children have strengthened their ability and technique across every stroke, forming a strong foundation for lifelong swimming.
Summer Term: Water Safety
As we approach the warmer months, our attention turns to water safety. This vital part of the curriculum prepares children for safe swimming during holidays and outdoor activities, ensuring they understand how to stay confident and capable in different aquatic environments.
Our Learning Framework
At St Chris, we follow a bespoke learning framework and assessment matrix, designed to track each child’s progress and set clear goals for the year ahead. Equal importance is placed on stroke development and key aquatic skills such as safe entries, sculling, somersaults and underwater swimming. These skills not only enhance stroke performance but also prepare children to adapt confidently to a range of water-based experiences.
Enjoyment and Engagement
Our fundamental aim is for swimming lessons to be engaging, supportive and enjoyable. We want every child to look forward to their time in the pool, to learn with enthusiasm, and to develop a love of swimming that stays with them long after their time at St Chris.
Our Swimming Curriculum
At St Chris, swimming is a key part of our Junior School curriculum – helping children from Nursery to Year 6 build water confidence, develop essential skills, and nurture a love of swimming that lasts a lifetime. Our specialist swimming teachers tailor lessons to each age group, ensuring that every child makes steady progress through our carefully designed swimming programme.
| Nursery - Building Confidence and Enjoyment |
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In Nursery swimming lessons, our specialist swimming teachers focus on helping children feel happy and confident in the water. Through play-based learning and fun, stimulating activities, children begin to:
These sessions lay the foundations for a positive relationship with swimming from the very beginning of their school journey. |
| Reception - Beginning to Swim independently |
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In Reception, children start to travel through the water unaided over short distances. Lessons are designed to help pupils:
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| Year 1 - Building Technique and Confidence |
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Year 1 pupils continue to develop their unaided swimming ability, refining technique and confidence across a 5-metre distance on both front and back. With guidance from our specialist swimming teachers, children:
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| Year 2 - Developing Stamina and Skills |
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In Year 2, children begin to build stamina and consistency over longer distances – up to 25 metres, the full length of our pool. Lessons focus on:
By the end of the year, most pupils can swim 25 metres with confidence and ease, using strong, effective techniques. |
| Year 3 - Expanding Technique and Endurance |
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Weekly swimming lessons in Year 3 focus on building stamina and technique across greater distances. Students work towards:
Children are also introduced to competitive starts, turns and galas – building confidence and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment. |
| Year 4 - Strength, Technique and Endurance |
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By Year 4, children refine their skills to swim 100 metres with ease. Lessons emphasise:
Our teachers also identify children with potential and signpost them to local clubs and additional swimming opportunities in Hertfordshire. |
| Year 5 - Refining Techniques and Competitive Skills |
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In Year 5, lessons focus on developing proficiency and precision. Pupils work towards:
Children gain both the technique and the stamina to swim confidently and efficiently across all four strokes. |
| Year 6 - Mastery and Lifelong Confidence |
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By Year 6, pupils consolidate everything they have learned throughout their swimming journey at St Chris. Lessons focus on:
Many of our Year 6 pupils are encouraged to explore local swimming clubs and external aquatic opportunities, helping them continue their development and enjoyment of the sport. |
