How Grading Works?

At the heart of Col Jones Swim Fitness Tempe’s teaching approach is our unique progressive teaching model. We blend past lessons with new skills, ensuring retention and confidence in each swimmer, fostering their journey towards holistic swimming proficiency.

Our 3 Core Grading Principals

Grade Focus Philosophy

Tailored learning for every swimmer.

Blended Skill Reinforcement

Mastering swimming with confidence and retention.

Celebrating Achievements

Personalised certificates for holistic development.

Understanding Grading and Progression

At Col Jones Swim Fitness in Tempe, our educational philosophy is grounded in the "Grade Focus" concept. This approach guarantees a customised learning experience for every swimmer, addressing their unique needs and building on their individual strengths.


Our Learn to Swim System is meticulously structured, with each grade being tested and crafted with specific teaching points and objectives in mind. By blending the reinforcement of previous lessons with the introduction of new skills, we ensure that swimmers retain their knowledge, cultivating a foundation of confidence and competence in the water.


Upon successfully overcoming and completing the challenges of a grade, we acknowledge their achievements with both a sticker and a personalised certificate. These stickers are added to each child's progression chart, visually showcasing their development and fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.


By adhering to our three core teaching principles and emphasizing positive reinforcement for swimmers' achievements, we commit to the holistic development of every swimmer's skillset. Our grading system is a reflection of our dedication to nurturing both proficiency and a lifelong passion for swimming.

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Who is the Supervisor?

You might have seen some of our friendly staff members wearing a red shirt. These are our Supervisors! They are responsible for assessments, grading, progression and ensuring safety on the pool deck. If you are ever concerned about your child’s progression, feel free to discuss this with them, and they will conduct a quick assessment for you as well as let you know what the major teaching points are for each level! 
Students can be assessed by the Supervisor up to every lesson and will receive a sticker for their progression chart! 

What do the grades mean?

To find out what skills are achieved within each grade, visit our Parent Portal to see the various levels and matching skills.

The Grading Chart

Upon joining Col Jones, all students will receive a sticker chart. This chart is a fun way to track their swimming progression. Students are challenged to collect all the stickers on their chart which represent the 23 different levels. Small rewards such as stickers which represent swimming achievement will keep children motivated and engaged!

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