Squads & Pathways
Learn to Swim
Our Learn to Swim squads are White hats through to Red. We use Swim England's Learn to Swim programme (Stages 1 to 7) as the basis for swimmers’ progression, however each squad does not necessarily tie up with each stage. These squads have a guide age range of 5-14 years old.
• White hats have a lesson once per week in the teaching pool for 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes play time.
• Yellow hats have a lesson once per week in the main pool for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes play time in the teaching pool.
• Green and • Blue hats have a lesson twice per week in the main pool for 1 hour.
• Red hats have a lesson three times per week in the main pool for 1 hour.
We also have a Lilac squad as part of our Learn to Swim section for those who start learning to swim when they’re a little older, and who, when ready, will move into one of the other squads once their ability matches a hat colour containing swimmers near enough to their age. This squad has a guide age range of 12-18 years old.
• Lilac hats have a lesson once per week in the main pool for 1 hour.
The Learn to Swim stages are a simple, step-by-step swimming programme designed to help your child build confidence and skills in the water. Starting from beginners, the stages guide children through important water safety, basic swimming techniques, and gradually more advanced strokes.
Stages 1–3: Your child will learn to be comfortable in the water, develop basic skills like blowing bubbles, floating, and simple movements.
Stages 4–6: They’ll start swimming longer distances, learn different strokes, and improve control and confidence.
Stage 7: Focuses on refining strokes and building endurance to prepare children for safe swimming anywhere.
Each stage builds on the last, giving your child the skills they need to stay safe, have fun, and enjoy swimming for life.
There is a wealth of information on Swim England’s website, please click here.
Development Squads
Our Development Squads are Orange and Maroon and use Swim England's Learn to Swim programme Stages 8 to 10 as a guide.
• Orange hats swim in the main pool for 5 hours per week, as 2x 2 hour sessions and 1x 1 hour session.
• Maroon hats swim in the main pool for 6 hours per week as 3x 2 hour sessions.
These squads have a guide age range of 8-16 years old and are regularly invited to take part in galas.
Please refer to our Gala Guide for Competitive Swimmers and if you have any questions about competing or galas, please email gala_sec@beachfieldswim.net.
Competitive Squads
Our Competitive Squads are Silver and Top Squad who train and compete at galas to enhance their abilities as much as they can in all the strokes.
• Silver and • Top Squad swim in the main pool for 6 hours per week as 3x 2 hour sessions.
These squads have a guide age range of 12-21 years old.
Please refer to our Gala Guide for Competitive Swimmers and if you have any questions about competing or galas, please email gala_sec@beachfieldswim.net.
Masters
Our Masters lane is open to swimmers who would like to just train as well as those who also like to compete. This squad has an age guide of 18+.
Masters are able to swim up to three times per week in the main pool for 1 hour.