The Recruitment Academy offers people the opportunity to train as swimming teachers and find employment with a specific employer without the significant cost of the training. Suitability for the programme is assessed at each stage and will be communicated.

1. Apply for an Academy
2. Meet and Greet to give you more information and ask questions
3. Interview – this is informal and in small groups to find out more about you and give you the opportunity to ask questions
4. Matched with an employer
5. Attend an SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) course
6. Volunteer with the employer
7. Attend an SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher course
8. Employment

The training is funded one of two ways, either through Institute of Swimming accessing external funding that will pay for the qualifications, or the employer you are volunteering with will pay for the training. This is why they want to see a commitment from you to work for them after the training as they have made an investment into you.

Swimming Teachers may teach/support from in the water or poolside and therefore should have a basic water confidence in and around the water. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to become a Swimming Teacher. The training course will include some pool-based sessions to practice teaching techniques with your peers, please advise your tutor regarding your swimming ability so they can best support you.

This depends on you and the operator you are working for. On average it takes around 4 – 6 months but if you need more time to develop confidence in your ability or if you have shown commitment and capability straight away this time frame can change.

This can change depending on the employer you are working with but on average it’s around two shifts per week. Lessons are usually weekdays between 4pm and 7pm and weekends 8am to 1pm.

The children are normally from around 4 years to 12 years old however we do have Recruitment Academies that focus on school swimming, younger children and occasionally you may be asked to teach adults. This will all be covered in your training.

This depends on your employer, employers decide on their rate of pay dependant on where they are located and the type of swimming lessons they run. Check here for more information.

Yes, as long as you are over 16. We are looking for all age groups as each person can bring different experiences to the role.

This is part-time, we look for a commitment of two shifts per week however this can increase if the employer has more work available. Some employers also have other work available e.g. lifeguarding

We list the swimming lesson providers who are looking for teachers on the relevant webpage, if you are successful through to the interview stage we will ask you which venue you would prefer to be placed at from this list.

There are a variety of opportunities to increase your swimming lesson knowledge and build up additional teaching hours.

Any equipment required for teaching (toys, floats etc) will be supplied by the swimming lesson provider. During training, you will need to bring clothes for wearing in the pool and on the poolside.

You will be working an average of two shifts per week, if you are successful and invited to the interview we will ask for your availability and work with you and the employer to ensure you are able to commit to times when you are free.

Please email us on [email protected]. We are a small team so we can’t always answer the phone but if you would like to speak to someone please let us know and we will arrange a convenient time to call.

To be recognisable on poolside, swimming teachers usually wear a t-shirt from the leisure provider they are working for, teachers may wear long sleeve/trousers where preferred. When supporting in the water, teachers should wear swimwear with cover up of shorts/t-shirt or other suitable clothing. Adaptations to suit religious or cultural needs are welcomed.

Usually around 20 hours between being accepted onto the programme and attending your Level 2 course but if you or the employer feel you need more time this can be discussed to make sure you are prepared and confident to complete your qualifications and start teaching on your own.

This depends on why you have decided not to continue with the programme. We will discuss the options with you. There will be an opportunity for you to fund the training yourself or you can decide not to pay for the training and walk away without any further payment. If we don’t receive payment your certificate may not be released to you.

There are three different ways to complete your qualifications and this will depend on what is available in your area:

1. Face to Face

This will be delivered at a venue with a tutor at the site. The course theory takes place in a seminar room or classroom environment, you will then go to the pool for your practical work, lesson delivery and assessment.

2. Blended Learning

This course will start online through interactive e-learning which you do in your own time. Once you get to the venue, there is some theory content to cover in a seminar room before your practical work, lesson delivery and assessment pool-side.

3. Online and Virtual

This course allows you to make the most of learning online and will cover the course theory through interactive e-learning and live zoom webinars. E-learning allows you to work through the content at your own pace while the zoom webinars will be with the rest of your course cohort and from the comfort of your own home. Once you get to the venue, you’ll have pool-based practical work, lesson delivery and assessment to complete.

Swimming Teachers can wear modesty swimwear and suitable adaptations for poolside attire. Arms and legs can be covered up whilst teaching both in the pool and on poolside and headscarves are welcome. Individuals may choose to wear a towel/robe to and from the pool if they are teaching from in the water.

Training courses are usually mixed sex, however separate pool-based sessions and/or single sex courses may be available upon request, depending on local demand. Please enquire here for more information