Learn to Swim
the fun way
Swimming Awards
Cossum Swim Schools operates an incentive based swimming skills scheme, International Learn to Swim Program (ILSP). This program offers a fun, comprehensive and engaging learn to swim programme accompanied by free success trackers for children and parents to track success and stay motivated throughout the programme. Helping children recognise that great sense of achievement.
STARFISH Series
Baby Water Safety
STARFISH is an innovative series of 6 progressive awards designed to introduce babies from a few months old with the accompanying adult to a water adventure where water confidence and safety skills are introduced.
Please refer to the ILSP Resources Manual for further recommendations.
The series is undertaken in shallow water with the guardian in the water holding and supporting the baby. Buoyancy aids may be worn but they are not necessary as the guardian is holding the baby throughout. It is important that the baby is also supported properly, including the head; eye contact should always be maintained and words of encouragement frequently given.
STAnley Series
First Steps
STAnley First Steps Series is an exciting series of 7 progressive awards specifically designed to teach learners from 2 years – with or without an accompanying adult – basic swimming and water safety skills.
A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest. We believe the best way to achieve this is to create safe environments in which children can be introduced to the water whilst having fun and by providing a progressive learn to swim programme that is both challenging and rewarding.
This series culminates with the STAnley Star award, which covers all the skills in the 7 awards ensuring that the learner is competent and confident in and around water.
ⓘ The STAnley First Step Series is designed to teach children aged 2 years upwards to learn to swim. After completing the 7 steps of the STAnley First Steps Series, learners should progress to the Goldfish Series. Older children may wish to learn to swim using the Octopus Series
Octopus Series
The Octopus series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards specifically designed for child aged between 5 to 8 years old.
This enables older children to access the Learn to Swim pathway and develop their confidence, knowledge and skills. We believe the best way to achieve this is to create safe environments in which children can be introduced to the water whilst having fun and by providing a progressive learn to swim programme that is both challenging and rewarding.
On completion of the Octopus series, learners can progress through the Learn to Swim journey and move on to the Goldfish, Angelfish and Shark series. A child’s first learn to swim experience is one of the most important in terms of capturing and retaining their interest.
Goldfish Series
This programme is designed to be the next stage for swimmers who have progressed through either the STAnley First Steps Series or Octopus Series.
The Goldfish series is an exciting series of 3 progressive awards expanding on skills in a fun, progressive, challenging and rewarding way.
On completion of this series, swimmers will be able to swim 15 metres without any aid as well as perform basic floats.
Angelfish Series
Once swimmers have completed the Goldfish Series they can progress to the Angelfish Series.
On completion of the 3 progressive awards in this series, swimmers will be capable of swimming 25 metres without aid, perform butterfly stroke as well as mastering sculling techniques and entries to the water.
Shark Series
On completion of the Angelfish Series, learners progress to the Shark Series.
This series educates learners in basic water rescue and survival techniques as well as starts and turns for each of the strokes.
On completion of the series learners will be able to swim 100 metres.
Advanced Swimmer Series
The Advanced Swimmer Series consists of three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Each award has a badge and certificate.
This series develops swimming technique, speed, stamina and water polo or synchronised swimming skills.
Platinum Award
Level 8 – the Platinum Award – is the pinnacle of the ILSP scheme combining survival and rescue skills with advanced swimming skills, water polo and synchronised swimming.
