Swimming Teacher or Coach

What is the work like?

Swimming teachers help people of all ages and abilities to develop swimming skills and techniques, or exercise in water. Swimming coaches train competitive swimmers.

As a swimming teacher or coach you would:

• teach or coach one-to-one or in groups
• identify participants’ abilities
• plan and deliver sessions appropriate to the level of swimmer
• make sure safety standards are followed in all sessions
• check that life-saving equipment is in working order
• provide explanations and demonstrate swimming techniques
• set ground rules for each session
• correct faults in swimming techniques and identify ways to improve performance
• evaluate sessions and give feedback
• organise and supervise assistants and helpers.

You may also need to deal with minor injuries and accidents.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You can qualify as a swimming teacher by completing qualifications awarded by:

• the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), or
• the Swimming Teachers Association (STA).

The ASA also awards swimming coaching qualifications.

The ASA, which is the national governing body for swimming, has developed new swimming teaching and coaching qualifications in line with the UK Coaching Certificate.

You would start with either of the following:

• ASA/UKCC Level 1 Certificate for Teaching Aquatics ('aquatics' is the term used by ASA to describe swimming teaching)
• ASA/UKCC Level 1 Certificate for Coaching Swimming.

Completing a qualification at level 1 will qualify you to support fully-qualified teachers or coaches.

Before you can work on your own without supervision you will then need to complete one of the following:

• ASA/UKCC Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Aquatics
• ASA Level 2 Certificate for Teaching (Aquafit)
• ASA/UKCC Level 2 Certificate for Coaching Swimming (Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Diving or Water Polo).

Visit the ASA website for details of qualifications and centres offering training.

Alternatively, you can qualify as a swimming teacher by doing STA teaching qualifications. See the STA website for full details.

To work with children or other vulnerable people you will need to have clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau.

What further training and development can I do?

Once you have the ASA/UKCC Level 2 Certificate for Coaching Swimming, you can qualify as a senior coach by completing the ASA/UKCC Level 3 Certificate for Coaching Swimming.

The Level 4 Certificate for Coaching will qualify you to coach competitive athletes at the highest level.

At all levels you can keep your skills and knowledge up to date by attending seminars and short courses in subjects such as child protection. Visit the ASA website for more details on their range of courses and opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD).

The ASA recommends that you hold an ASA Teacher/Coach Licence. See the ASA website for details.

Where can I go for more information?

If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form

Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice