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Principles of the
NPTS
The principles behind the NPTS are:
A Framework for Learn to Swim
National Syllabus for Multi-Aquatic development
A learn to swim programme underpinned by Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD)
providing progression through Fundamental movement skills and FUNdamental
sports specific skills
Expected Standards
Outcome focused
As a result of the principles being achieved, the following outcomes will be
accomplished:
Competence in the water
Confidence in the water
‘Safe’ Swimming
Enjoyment in the Water
Increased likelihood of lifelong participation
Increased likelihood of leading a healthy lifestyle
Aims of the NPTS
Set a national standard for performance - local schemes can equate to
local standards. The NPTS aims to provide a degree of consistency throughout
the country with regard to what we expect swimmers to do and how we expect
them to do it.
Challenge lesson providers to structure the progress of swimmers based on
achievement and not organisational convenience - progress through some
learn to swim schemes is often based upon low interpretation of awards or
criteria along with demands to move through the scheme as quickly as
possible. Integral to the NPTS is a clear assessment process with
progression through the scheme based on the achievement of clearly
identified outcomes. Inevitably, therefore, some children will move through
the scheme at a faster rate than others.
Develop a wide range of skills - the content of the NPTS prepares
swimmers to participate in a variety of different disciplines and in so
doing develops a more rounded and more skilful performer. This will increase
the range of opportunities open to the swimmer in terms of future
development whilst at the same time provides a sound skill basis for those
wishing to progress to the competitive aspect of the sport.
Emphasise the importance of initial orientation - time devoted to
initial orientation, to generating a feeling of being at ease in the water
will enhance the development of more complex skills. Great emphasis is
given, therefore, to water confidence activities particularly in the first
two levels of the plan.
Develop high reliability through repetition, revision and consolidation
- if you take the opportunity to look around a busy swimming pool,
particularly if lanes have been allocated to allow for people to swim up and
down, you could be excused for thinking that, whilst we may be a nation of
swimmers, in reality we are a nation of poor swimmers. Incorrect head
positions, poor body alignment, ineffective kicking and pulling and the
sight of people fighting against the water are all too commonplace. The NPTS
attempts to address this problem through improvements in the quality of
learn to swim provision. Implicit in this is the raising of expectations of
teachers, parents and swimmers. The NPTS aims to raise these expectations to
a new level; to emphasise quality in stroke execution; to establish a
situation whereby all children learn how to dive effectively; to have some
awareness of other disciplines in which they might participate and to
enhance their understanding of the benefits which swimming can add in terms
of a healthy lifestyle.
Identify the correct standards of skill performance - for too long
there has been ambiguity in respect of what constitutes the correct standard
of performance over a range of aquatic skills. This is particularly the case
in terms of the swimming strokes where the standard expected becomes very
much that of the individual teacher and will, therefore, inevitably vary
from teacher to teacher and from scheme to scheme. The NPTS identifies very
clearly the standards expected at different levels of performance and will
hopefully develop, over time, greater consistency in the application of
standards.
Provide assessment against clearly identified outcomes - assessment
is a critical aspect of the NPTS as this forms the basis for progression
from one level to another. The outcomes are clearly stated and provide a
reference point by which progression can be easily measured.
Provide a direct link to the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme - the
Kellogg's ASA incentive Awards Scheme provides an excellent means of
motivating swimmers of all abilities with a simple way of measuring
progress. The development of the NPTS has provided the opportunity to
produce twelve awards, the criteria for which match the outcome of the
various levels of the Plan. The provision of the awards now becomes a
logical consequence of the teaching process.
Provide a journey through Aquatics - the NPTS ultimately provides a
pathway through aquatics detailing firstly the FUNdamental movement skills,
followed by the FUNdamental sports specific skills that are relevant to each
aquatic discipline and in association with the RLSS to include provision for
Rookie Lifesaving. Through a FUN delivery of aquatic skills, and by
developing the confidence and initial awareness and orientation in the
water, strokes and techniques are developed through a stage-by-stage process
of learning.
Provide a scheme with a long term aim - underpinned by Long Term
Athlete Development (LTAD), the revised syllabus encompasses core skills
associated with aquatic activity. The NPTS now reflects a progressive
pathway of outcomes which are defined by developing skills such as: buoyancy
& balance, rotation and orientation, travel & coordination, streamlining and
aquatic breathing. Additional skills and understanding were also defined,
such as: entries, exits, water safety and healthy living. Through the
building of core skills, a pupil taking part in the scheme will enhance
their 'feel' and awareness of the water, their ability and also their choice
of aquatic activity later on. Stages 1 - 7 are concerned with building core
skills and known as the FUNdamental movement skills, and stages 8 - 10 in
each specific discipline (diving, lifesaving, swimming, synchronised
swimming, and water polo) are concerned with exploring and developing new
activities, and these are referred to as the FUNdamental sport specific
skills.
For additional information related to the content of the NPTS email npts@swimming.org
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