STA LSP
A modern, grade-based swimming pathway from first water confidence to elite-level performance — structured for UK pools and all learner ages.
About This Programme
The STA Learn to Swim Programme (LSP) is STA's newer, grade-based swimming scheme. Unlike the ILSP's named awards, the LSP core pathway uses numbered Grades 1–7, making progression easy to track and communicate.
The programme begins with the same foundation stages shared with the STA ILSP — the Starfish series (water confidence, 6 levels) and the STAnley First Steps series (early skills, 7 levels + Star). These shared stages have identical criteria across both programmes.
From STAnley Star onwards, the path diverges into the LSP-unique Grades 1 through 7, followed by the Advanced and Platinum awards at the summit of the programme.
Foundation Stages
Both stages are shared with the STA ILSP and carry identical criteria. Buoyancy aids are permitted throughout most of these stages.
Foundation · 6 Levels
Water confidence for the youngest learners — safe entry, floating, rolling and adult-supported movement. Levels 1–6, all with adult support.
View Starfish criteria →Foundation · 7 Levels + Star
Foundational swimming skills — bubbles, gliding, rolling, stroke introduction and water safety awareness. Buoyancy aids permitted for levels 1–5.
View STAnley criteria →Core Pathway — Unique to STA LSP
The numbered grades are the heart of the LSP. Each grade builds on the last, with buoyancy aids permitted in Grades 1–2 and no aids from Grade 3 onwards.
Aids ✓
Foundation water skills — movement, floats, push and glide, bubbles.
View Grade 1 →Aids ✓
10m travel, log rolls, breaststroke attempt, rotation skills.
View Grade 2 →No Aids ✗
First unaided grade — water safety code, 10m strokes, underwater retrieval.
View Grade 3 →No Aids ✗
15m strokes, handstand, lifesaving backstroke, rescue awareness.
View Grade 4 →No Aids ✗
25m strokes, surface dives, somersaults, survival swimming in clothing.
View Grade 5 →No Aids ✗
50m strokes, 75m medley, full lifesaving sequence in clothing, kneeling dive.
View Grade 6 →No Aids ✗
100m strokes, butterfly 25m, advanced lifesaving, plunge dive.
View Grade 7 →At a Glance
| Grade | Key Focus | Distance | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Foundation water skills | 5m | Aids ✓ |
| Grade 2 | 10m travel, log rolls, rotation | 10m | Aids ✓ |
| Grade 3 | Water safety code, two strokes | 10m | No Aids ✗ |
| Grade 4 | Stroke development, handstand | 15m | No Aids ✗ |
| Grade 5 | Surface dives, somersaults, survival | 25m | No Aids ✗ |
| Grade 6 | 50m strokes, 75m medley, lifesaving | 50m | No Aids ✗ |
| Grade 7 | 100m strokes, butterfly, advanced lifesaving | 100m | No Aids ✗ |