Progress at swimming lessons seems slow

[dairymilkmonster]

This may just be me having unrealistic expectations! DS1 is 5yr9mo and started swimming lessons last sept (ie start of yr1). He has 30min group lesson - there are 5 in the class. Prior to this we swam regulalry in a fun sort of a way. He got his ASA stage 1 at christmas, and I expected him (possibly unreasonably!) to move from stage 2 to stage 3 this term. This was based on sitting a watching the lesson and him appearing to be able to do everything the teacher was asking, mostly but not entirely better than the other kids (who all look much younger). But we have had the letter about next term today and he is staying in the same class.
Could just be they haven't covered everything in stage 2 yet or that his stroke ( i think it is a stretch to define it as such, but he does move through the water for the full 25m of hte pool) is terrible!
I suppose I am slightly unnerved by various of his friends having photocopies of their stage 3/4 ASA certificates on the 'what we out of school' board....
DS loves swimming but has complained a couple of times the lessons Re boring. This sometimes means he doesn't like being corrected though.
Should i just stop worrying? or anyone got any advice?

[BarchesterFlowers]

I wouldn’t worry at all - main thing is that he enjoys it. DD was very slow to progress but we took her for lessons regardless, we knew we had a great teacher though, I suppose that could make a difference. I can’t remember when she picked it up the pace - probably 7 or so. She now swims for a club and at 10, DH (former competitive swimmer now in the old Gimmer's swim league) struggles to out pace her at backstroke - she is like a train.

I never compare, it does no good at all.

[Didiplanthis]

My ds is just 5 and has been swimming since september and has yet to make it out group 1 !! However he is having lots of fun and is very happy and confident in the water just not very good at coordinating limbs to move through it. In contrast My older dd was in group 4 by 5 1/2 and doing lengths in most strokes. I have decided best not compare !!

[MrsPnut]

We moved Dd from lessons at a leisure centre to the learn to swim programme run by a swimming club and she progressed much quicker. We found the turnover of teachers at the leisure centre was so rapid where the club had the same people for years and most were volunteers or did it as a second job.

[Happybee09]

Ds was around the same age and was on level 2 for almost a whole year (after going from level 1 to 2 in 2 terms)
He is now on level 3 and the expectations are a lot higher so I think at level 2 they just have to be sure that they are completely compentent and are ready to handle the next set of challenges

I wouldn't worry as long as progress is being made - at that age it's just good for them to be safe and confident in the water and swim short distances (although any more is obviously fantastic)

[Happybee09]

Try not to compare, as long as you're celebrating achievements ds won't be worried and eventually he will be at the same level as others (or beyond them)

[dairymilkmonster]

Thank you! feeling bit better now.

[Bitlost]

I have the same problem with DD (7) who still can't do a proper breaststroke after 9 terms of swimming lessons. Today - after another lesson during which DD wasn't corrected - I've decided I will teach her myself, just like my father did with me.

[dairymilkmonster]

Had first lesson back after easter break today and ds seems to have gone backwards....think we will persevere and do an intensive course in the summer to try and boost progress!