It's a question I'm asked regularly by parents: “When can my child stop swimming lessons?”
It's also a subject that comes up in discussions with schoolteachers, colleagues and others involved in swimming.
Perhaps your child can swim 25 metres, has progressed through several stages of lessons, or has simply decided they'd rather spend their time doing something else. So, how do you know when the time is right to stop?
The honest answer is that it depends on what you want your child to achieve and what you want them to be able to do in the water throughout their life.
What do you want your child to achieve?
One of the easiest ways to approach this question is to ask yourself: What do I want my child to be able to do as a swimmer?
1. Do you want your child to achieve the national curriculum standard?
The national curriculum in England sets out what pupils should be able to achieve in swimming and water safety by the end of Key Stage 2, typically around the age of 11.
This includes being able to:
Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres.
Use a range of strokes effectively, for example, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.
Perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations.
At Stacy's School of Swimming, passing Stage 4 is a useful milestone towards developing these abilities, including swimming 25 metres. However, distance alone isn't the whole picture; children also need to develop their strokes and water-safety skills.
2. Would your child like to try surfing or stand-up paddleboarding?
Perhaps your child would love to learn to surf, try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or take part in other water sports as they get older.
Swimming ability can be an important part of preparing for these activities. Some providers specify a minimum swimming distance, which may be 50 metres or more, depending on the activity and circumstances.
In our lessons, passing Stage 5 represents a further step towards developing the swimming ability needed for these kinds of opportunities. Always check the requirements of the activity provider before taking part.
3. Do you want your child to become a more competent, confident swimmer?
Being able to swim 25 metres is a fantastic achievement, but it doesn't necessarily mean a child is ready for every swimming situation.
Developing greater stamina, improving technique and becoming comfortable using different strokes all contribute to becoming a more capable swimmer.
Swim England's swimming frameworks provide further guidance on the skills children can develop as they progress suggest a hieving 100m is when swimmers become competent At Stacy's School of Swimming, passing Stage 6 is associated with reaching the 100m milestone.
The more children develop their skills, the more opportunities they may have to enjoy swimming and take part in aquatic activities.
4. Would your child like to try scuba diving?
Scuba diving can open up a whole new world of experiences, from exploring marine life to discovering underwater environments.
Swimming ability is an important consideration when learning to dive, although requirements vary between training organisations and courses.
A swimming distance of 200 metres is one benchmark that may be relevant to certain diving programmes. In our lessons, 200m is achieved in passing Stage 7. This stage marks the end of the current national teaching-plan pathway.
Reaching the end of a teaching pathway doesn't have to mean the end of a child's swimming journey. It can be the beginning of using those skills to enjoy new experiences. In our programme we have sessions available for those who have passed Stage 7 and want to continue.
Think beyond swimming lessons today
Ultimately, when deciding whether your child is ready to stop swimming lessons, I would encourage you to think about the bigger picture.
Will they have the skills and confidence to enjoy swimming on holiday, at the beach, with school friends or as part of a water-based activity? Will they understand the importance of water safety and know how to respond to different situations?
Swimming is a skill for life, but like any skill, it benefits from regular practice. Without it, technique and confidence can decline over time.
The level your child reaches before stopping lessons provides the foundation for their future swimming. The more skills they develop, the more opportunities they may have to enjoy the water as they grow up.
What do I want for my own children?
For my own children, I want them to develop enough swimming ability, knowledge and confidence to enjoy the water throughout their lives.
I want them to be able to go to the beach, enjoy swimming on holiday, spend time in the water with school friends, go snorkelling, try scuba diving or learn to surf if they choose.
I want them to have opportunities, to understand the risks associated with water and to have the skills to help them make safer decisions.
That's why I believe swimming lessons are about much more than learning to swim a length of the pool.
So, when is the right time to stop swimming lessons?
It's when you have considered what you want your child to achieve, the skills they have developed and the opportunities you want them to have in the future.
For many children, continuing beyond the initial 25-metre milestone can help them build greater competence, confidence and stamina.
After all, we aren't just teaching children to swim today. We're helping them develop a skill they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.