You are now looking for a way to become a certified swimming instructor. This is great news.
Swimming instructor is an exciting and fulfilling job that helps people learn valuable life skills. Swimming teaching is a lot of fun. However, few jobs offer the satisfaction of watching someone become a proficient swimmer.
Swimming is growing in popularity in the UK. This means that you will be highly sought after over the next few decades.
Swim Now offers swimming lessons at Manchester, lessons in Coventry, and lessons at Leicester. We know the requirements to be qualified.
It can be difficult to find resources that provide all the information you need in order to begin your new career as an instructor of swimming. This guide will help you understand the steps involved in obtaining your certification and answer many of your most frequently asked questions.
Why not become a swimming instructor?
Many reasons people choose to become swimming instructors. Some love teaching children, while others enjoy working with adults. Whatever the reason, there are four great benefits to being a swimming instructor.
Flexibility to fit your schedule
Swimming teaching can be a great fit for anyone, regardless of whether they are a student, parent with children, or a full-time worker.
It pays a solid salary
Although you won’t be able to transform your life into a life of luxury and extravagant riches, swimming instructors who are fully qualified typically earn between PS14-20 an hour. Although it’s not Richard Branson-level money, it beats many other jobs in leisure. It’s comparable to lifeguards, who get paid an average of PS7-9 an hour.
You develop transferable skills
A job is no longer a guarantee of a steady income. Employers are seeking candidates with concrete skills as people are changing careers more often. You’ll be able to communicate effectively in public and improve your planning skills.
You can work as a swimming instructor anywhere.
This may seem obvious, but you might be thinking, “ugh…in the pool?” Although technically correct, it’s not the truth. However, being a swimming instructor offers many opportunities for travel and work that many people don’t realize.
These are just a few examples of the possibilities that a career as an instructor swimming can offer:
Health clubs
Leisure centers
Holiday resorts
Schools
Cruise Ships
Remember that swimming is a skill that everyone needs to master. If you are looking to take a career break, a gap year or simply want to relocate abroad, becoming a swimming instructor qualifies you to make a living teaching others how to swim.
There are two routes to becoming a swimming coach
There are currently two ways to become a swimming instructor in the UK. Both Swimming England as well as the Swimming Teachers Association offer courses to allow you to teach swimming. There are many levels of qualifications and costs. Let’s now try to make it as clear as possible for you to decide which route is best.
Swim England Qualifications can help you become a swimming instructor
Swim England Qualifications was created by the UK’s national governing body for the sport of swimming. They are the largest UK awarding organization for swimming teachers. Their qualifications are usually very comprehensive and well-received by those who receive them. They emphasize practical training, with more than half of their qualifications devoted to teaching poolside.
You can choose from two qualifications as a swimming instructor: the SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching), or the SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming Qualification. These are only available after you have completed the first course.
Here is a quick overview:
Level 1 Course Swimming Teacher’s Assistant
As an assistant swimmer teacher, this course will help you to improve your skills, knowledge and abilities. You can now teach under the supervision of a swimming teacher (i.e. Someone who has completed the level 2 qualification.
It is a provisional driving permit for teaching swimming. You must be at least 16 years old to enrol in the course. Although fees will vary depending on where you live, the tuition should cost approximately PS380.
Learn about:
- Legal aspects of swimming lessons assistance
- What are the responsibilities of a swimming assistant?
- Swimming pathway, fundamental movement, core aqua skills, and component parts of strokes
- Swimming according to scientific principles
- What is a lesson plan? Equipment and communication skills?
- Motivational techniques and how to recognize anxiety
- What kind of assistance can you provide?
This course is required before you can become a level 2 swim teacher.
The total qualification time takes 30 hours, 26 of which are face-to–face guided learning hours. The delivery format will vary depending on which training centre you choose. It could be a full face-to-face course or a blended course that combines online learning with studying and a practical assessment. The courses last for four days. The assessment is done through theoretical questions, observation records and review records.
Level 2 Teaching Swim Course
This qualification expands on the skills acquired in Level 1. It teaches you how plan and deliver swimming lessons by yourself without supervision. This qualification will teach you how to develop lessons for SEND swimmers, how differentiate and adapt your lessons for different abilities, and how to keep swimmers motivated and engaged for longer periods of time.
You must be at least 16 to enroll. It is also recommended that you have at most 3 months experience as a teacher assistant before you can take the Level 2 qualification.
You’ll have a lot more work at Level 2, and will be expected to manage your own learning. These topics will be covered:
- Swimming teacher responsibilities
- What impact do scientific principles of swimming have on the development of learners?
- How to improve core aqua skills and master the four strokes
- How to correct common swimming errors
- How to assess your ability and how to use different teaching techniques and equipment to meet your needs
- How to design and deliver inclusive lessons that are accessible to all levels of ability. This includes adaptations for learners who have special educational needs or disabilities.
- Management and teaching skills that are essential for classroom management, assessment, safety, and safeguarding, time management, organisational skills, behaviour management and communication skills, as well as teaching methods and motivational techniques, are all key.
- Learn to swim lessons are not part of the national curriculum.
- How to plan your professional development
Prices vary depending on where you live, but tuition fees will cost approximately PS680. You can expect to make an average salary of around PS15 an hour after completing the course.
The total qualification time takes 63 hours, 55 of which are face-to–face guided learning hours. The delivery format will vary depending on which training centre you choose. It could be a full-face course or a blended course that combines online learning with studying and a practical assessment. These courses usually last for around 8 days.
Both of the Swim England Qualifications are endorsed by CIMSPA’s Professional Standards. After completing Level 2 Teaching Swimming, learners can avail of a free 12 month CIMSPA affiliate membership .
Join The Swimming Teachers Association
STA Was founded in 1932 to provide good training for swimming instructors. This organisation is well-respected and has thousands of instructors each year. They also offer two courses, similar to Swim England.
Let’s have a look at the courses they offer.
Level 2 Award for teaching swimming
This is the first step to becoming a swimming instructor with STA. Although you don’t need previous experience, you must be at least 16 years old to enroll.
The Award will develop your vocational skills and technical knowledge, so you can independently teach your very own class of 12 participants from non-swimmers/beginners up to improvers (children and adults).
Course fees vary depending on where you live.
The International Learn to Swim Program is the STA’s curriculum. This means that your qualification can be recognized in other countries than the UK.
Level 2 Certificate for teaching swimming
After completing the Award in Teaching Swimming, you will be able to move on to the Certificate. This certificate allows you teach advanced lessons, skills, and advanced awards. You will reap the following benefits by taking the Certificate course:
Continue to improve your skills in teaching competitive strokes
Learn survival and rescue skills
Learn how to teach competitive turns and starts
labout the technical aspects and benefits of swimming
Learn how to teach swimmers of all abilities confidence
CIMSPA professional standards must be met
To join, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed the Award In Swimming Teaching course. Important to note, the Swim England Level 1 qualification does not count here. It is wise to choose the governing body that you would like to train with from the beginning.
The course cost is approximately PS350-PS450, depending on where you live. It can be done over three or four days or over several weekends to suit those who work full time. There are also options to obtain additional specialized qualifications that will allow you to teach people with disabilities and pre-school children.
The best thing about the Certificate course? You can get 12 months of CIMSPA affiliate membership, which gives you access to the UK’s leisure sector body.
