Atelier Levels
At Swimming Atelier, learning is a journey — one that grows with you, level by level. Each stage of the Atelier programme is carefully designed to match a swimmer’s natural development, from their very first splash to advanced strokes and competition readiness. With a focus on confidence, technique, and enjoyment, the levels offer a clear and rewarding path that supports swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Level 1
Level 1 is where the adventure begins. These first steps are all about building comfort, curiosity, and confidence in the water. Through gentle games and assisted movement, children start to explore floating, breathing, and basic body positions — laying the foundations for a positive lifelong relationship with swimming.
Yellow Atelier (5 badges Level 1)
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Full submerge + bubbles
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Wave under water
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Front flotation 5 seconds
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Back flotation 10 seconds
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Mushroom flotation 5 seconds
Yellow Atelier (Stickers of achievements)
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Breathing practices
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Face under the water with bubbles
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Full submerge with bubbles
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Under water wave and spinning around
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Picking up objects from the bottom of the pool
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Starfish on the front and back
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Curl in to a small ball to do mushroom floating
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Regaining standing position from all flotations
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Basic legs kicking front and back
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Basic different arms movement
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Express freedom of movement of your own
Level 2
In Level 2, growing swimmers begin to move more independently. With a stronger sense of balance and breath, they learn to glide, kick, and float with increasing control. The focus is on fun, flow, and freedom — helping children gain trust in their own ability while enjoying the process.
Orange Atelier 4 badges Level 2
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Front push and glide
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Back push and glide
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5 metres front kicking
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10 metres back kicking
Orange Atelier (stickers rewards Level 2 booklet)
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Body awareness and stream lines
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Practising stream line front
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Practising stream line back
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Balance and propulsion
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Front crawl kicking
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Backcrawl kicking
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Rotation from back to front and front to back with breath control
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Introducing arm action in both front crawl and backcrawl
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Different movement and skills of your own
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Level 3
By Level 3, swimmers are building real momentum. With improved coordination and breath control, they begin linking movements together — strokes become more recognisable, and confidence grows with every lap. This stage encourages consistency, stamina, and a deeper connection to the water.
Green Atelier (5 badges)
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15 metres front crawl kicking with full breathing control {float if needed}
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15 metres backcrawl kicking with great body position
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Rotation both ways back to front & front to back
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Front crawl arm action
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Back crawl arm action
Green Atelier (stickers rewards)
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Understanding the stream line
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Perfecting kicking
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Longer distance back&front kicking
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Using Breaststroke arms action to breath for front crawl kicking
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Breathing control (control out breath and allowing in breath with ease)
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Front crawl co-ordination (arms, legs, breathing and rotation)
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Back crawl co-ordination (arms, legs, breathing and rotation)
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Hand stand
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Forward somersault roly-poly
Level 4
Level 4 marks a shift towards technique and precision. Swimmers refine their strokes, learn to swim longer distances, and develop the awareness to adjust their movements with control and purpose. It’s where skill turns into style — and swimmers start to feel truly at home in the water.
Blue Atelier
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10 meters Front crawl
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10 meters Back crawl (legs and arms)
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5 metres Breaststroke kicks
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Forward somersault (roly-poly)
Blue Atelier (stickers)
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Front crawl arm action
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Practising front crawl breathing each side
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Full front crawl streamline body position and breathing [unilateral]
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Introducing front crawl bilateral breathing
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Backcrawl body position and rotation
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Practising the continuous and alternating backcrawl arm action
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Introducing starts and turns
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Breaststroke kicking [froggy kicks}
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Level 5
At Level 5, swimmers show strong independence in the water. Technique is sharpened across all strokes, with added focus on breathing rhythm, body positioning, and endurance. It’s a stage for fine-tuning — helping swimmers move efficiently, confidently, and with ease.
Purple Atelier (badges)
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25 metres front crawl
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25 meters backcrawl
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10 meters Breaststroke
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5 meters butterfly kicks (undulation)
Purple Atelier (stickers)
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Practising and developing Full front crawl, [bilateral breathing]
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Backcrawl body position and rotation
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Alternated backcrawl arms action
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Breaststroke co-ordination and timing [glide, pull, breath, kick]
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Introducing butterfly leg action, [undulating]
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Practicing and developing starts and turns
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Racing diving
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Introducing techniques for front and back crawl speed
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Recording personal time
Level 6
Level 6 introduces advanced techniques and real-world swim readiness. From treading water to deep-water skills and timed swims, this level is all about preparing for any aquatic setting. Swimmers leave with the ability to adapt, perform under pressure, and enjoy the water at its most dynamic.
Black Atelier ((badges)
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50 metres front crawl
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50 metres backstroke
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25 metres breast stroke
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10 meters Butterfly
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Starts and turns for all strokes
Black Atelier (stickers)
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Front crawl [introducing speed and endurance]
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Backcrawl [introducing speed and endurance]
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Practices to develop full breast stroke
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Variations in technique and co-ordination for Butterfly
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Developing starts and turns
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Racing diving
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Introduce IM [individual medley]
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IM [individual medley] turns
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Beat your personal best time- Break your record (sticker)
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Level 7
By Level 7, swimmers have a solid grasp of technique and control. This stage focuses on refining advanced strokes, mastering turns, and increasing distance and stamina. It’s perfect for those beginning to think about competitive swimming or simply wanting to swim with confidence and style.
Red Atelier (Badges)
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25 meters butterfly
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200 meters IM [individual medley]
Red Atelier
Skills to develop {with assistance}
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Practices to develop butterfly
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Develop IM [individual medley]
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Develop IM start & turns
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Developing speed
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Developing endurance
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Personal best time
Level 8
For swimmers ready to push boundaries. This level introduces the energy and focus of squad-style swimming, with opportunities to train for competitions, improve technique under pressure, and thrive as part of a team.
Gold Atelier
Swimming Squad
Competitions
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Ready to Dive In?
Whether you're just starting out or aiming for Gold, each level at Swimming Atelier is designed to nurture confidence, skill, and a genuine love for the water.
Not sure where to begin? Get in touch and we’ll help you find the right level to suit your needs — and get you or your child swimming with ease.
Experience the
Swimming Atelier Approach
It's a space to build confidence, develop meaningful skills, and enjoy the journey - without pressure, and often with moments of real joy, connection, and growth along the way.
Build water confidence naturally
Each session begins with comfort and calm - helping swimmers feel secure and capable, even in new environments.
Gentle, encouraging teaching style
Progress is guided with care and encouragement - always at the swimmer's pace, with no pressure.
Structured progression at your pace
Lessons follow a gentle framework, thoughtfully adapted to each person's confidence, readiness, and individual goals.
Private, group and family sessions available
Whether learning one-to-one or with others, sessions are designed to bring people together through shared moments, connection, and enjoyment.
Flexible locations
Lessons can take place at home, in private pools, or while travelling - wherever feels most familiar and comfortable. Every setting is an opportunity for learning, laughter, and lasting memories.
Private, group and family sessions available
Whether learning one-to-one or with others, sessions are designed to bring people together through shared moments, connection, and enjoyment.
Experience the
Swimming Atelier Approach
It's a space to build confidence, develop meaningful skills, and enjoy the journey - without pressure, and often with moments of real joy, connection, and growth along the way.
Build water confidence naturally
Each session begins with comfort and calm - helping swimmers feel secure and capable, even in new environments.
Gentle, encouraging teaching style
Progress is guided with care and encouragement - always at the swimmer's pace, with no pressure.
Structured progression at your pace
Lessons follow a gentle framework, thoughtfully adapted to each person's confidence, readiness, and individual goals.
Private, group and family sessions available
Whether learning one-to-one or with others, sessions are designed to bring people together through shared moments, connection, and enjoyment.
Flexible locations
Lessons can take place at home, in private pools, or while travelling - wherever feels most familiar and comfortable. Every setting is an opportunity for learning, laughter, and lasting memories.
Flexible locations
Lessons can take place at home, in private pools, or while travelling - wherever feels most familiar and comfortable. Every setting is an opportunity for learning, laughter, and lasting memories.