Frequently Asked Questions
ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS)

WHAT is the ASA?
• The Amateur Swimming Association, is the National Governing Body for Swimming in England, the disciplines include: Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water and Synchronised Swimming.
• The ASA organises competitions throughout England, establishes the laws of the sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for teachers, coaches and officials as well as its renowned Awards Scheme.

WHAT is the NPTS?
• It is the ‘National syllabus’ produced by the National Governing Body for Swimming, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) to assist and support the delivery of swimming lessons.
• It is a single pathway for Swimmers to learn how to be competent and confident in the water.
• It is a ‘multi skill’ programme for swimmers to learn how to swim and be proficient (competent) in water for them to then make the choice to continue to participate in any aquatic sports later on… such as Competitive Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Rookie Lifesaving.

WHAT are the Kellogg’s Awards?
• Kellogg’s sponsor the ASA Awards Scheme.

WHAT Awards OR Stages are included in the NPTS?
• The NPTS includes Foundation Phase (Adult & Child, ASA Duckling Awards), plus there is an additional phase of Alpha Awards between Foundation and NPTS Stage 1 to support adults who may not be very water confident or support for those with a disability.
• The Core, FUNdamental Movement skills are NPTS Stages 1 – 7.
• The Sport Specific Skills are the discipline specific Stages 8 – 10.
• The ‘Synergy Cylinder’ diagram included in the NPTS Resources gives a clear overview of the pathways and how to develop the Swimmer’s journey through aquatics.
WHEN does a Swimmer Achieve an Award?
• A Swimmer must pass ALL outcomes for that Stage before they have achieved an Award.
• The outcomes MUST BE performed to a standard that is stipulated by the ASA and included in the NPTS Resources.

WHEN does a Swimmer move into the next Group?
• This will depend upon your facility.
• Normally Swimmers move up to the next group when they have passed an NPTS Stage.

WHAT happens after a Swimmer has completed ALL Stages of the NPTS? (I.e. achieved Stage 10)
• The Facility / Organisation may offer other aquatic sessions that a Swimmer may be interested in.
• There may be Clubs who operate in your locality, which may offer activities that Swimmers can then progress into.

HOW long will it take for my child to pass each Stage?
• This will vary with every child.
• If a child has the experience of pre-school or adult and child sessions then he / she may move faster initially through the NPTS Stages 1 & 2 as they will be familiar with the environment and possibly confident in the water.
WHY might Swimmers be playing Games instead of swimming widths / lengths?
• To learn how to swim, pupils need to master skills that will help them float, breathe and move around in the water.
• Through games, swimmers have FUN and learn important skills. If swimmers are having FUN they enjoy what they are doing and often learn faster.
• The NPTS has a multi skills approach so all the skills that are learnt lead to development of a competent and confident swimmer, who is safe and happy in the water.

WHAT is LTAD and WHAT are the long-term benefits of LTAD?
• LTAD refers to ‘Long Term Athlete Development’.
• LTAD is a clear pathway of development for an Athlete, in our case ‘a Swimmer’. There are 5 stages to LTAD, and ‘Learn to Swim’ is all about FUNdamentals.
• Growth is rapid due to the development of large muscle groups in a child, and therefore the emphasis should be on developing basic movement literacy and fundamental movement skills in all sports / activities.
• In order to develop basic movement literacy successfully, there should be participation in a wide range of activities hence the FUNdamental, multi-skill approach in delivering the NPTS syllabus.

Is there any literature I can read on the NPTS?
• A Parents Guide specific to the NPTS is available. Ask your Centre for details, or visit the ASA website www.britishswimming.org
• Call Jo Jackson on 0753 0078 342 or email exeterswimschool@exeterswimming.com
 

Links

Devon County ASA

ASA SouthWest

British Swimming