How to become a Swimming Teacher
Your guide to getting qualified as a Swimming Teacher
Search CoursesFind out how to have a successful career as a Swimming Teacher including the qualifications you’ll need, hours, salary and how to get started.
Becoming a Swimming Teacher can be an incredibly rewarding career, teaching an essential life skill to others. With a shortage of swimming teachers, there are currently many employment opportunities available for qualified swimming teachers, often offering flexible hours to fit around your lifestyle.
When you choose to become a Swimming Teacher with the Institute of Swimming, you will be supported by the leading provider of aquatic workforce development and training in the UK. The Institute of Swimming have been enabling and building rewarding careers in swimming for nearly 40 years and are committed to providing high-quality courses led by outstanding tutors. Our programmes cover teaching swimming, coaching, aquatic health and fitness, and pool plant.
We exist for the good of the sport working in conjunction with the national governing body for swimming, Swim England, so all proceeds are invested back into developing our swimming talent and improving the health of the nation.
What do you need to become a Swimming Teacher?
To become a fully qualified Swimming Teacher you will need an SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification.
If you have no previous experience and are over 16 you can start your swimming career with the SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) course before completing the SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification.
If you have previous work experience or wish to fast track your career you can opt for the Combined SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant and Level 2 Teaching Swimming Course.
Steps to becoming a Swimming Teacher?
You can become a swimming teacher with little or no experience of teaching or swimming, your SEQ Level 1 and 2 Swimming Teacher qualifications can provide you with all the knowledge, skills and experience you need. Others may choose to become a Swimming Teacher from other leisure roles such as fitness instructors, lifeguards or other industries altogether.
Once qualified a variety of career routes are open to you such as teaching preschool swimming, school swimming, coaching, swim coordinator or manager, owning your own swim school or specialist swimming teacher roles. The profession is ideal for a variety of people including parents looking for part time work or students looking to fit in work around their studies.
Step 2 Find an SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant Course
- Find employment
Take a look at current Swimming Teacher job opportunities at Careers in Aquatics
Create a CV and approach companies for work opportunities – read about tips for writing your CV
- Develop your skills
You can develop your swimming teacher career by completing CPDs, accessing e-learning and free resources or completing a specialist course such as SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming to Babies and Toddlers or SEQ Level 3 Swim Coordinator
Get supported
Teaching Swimming should be accessible to all and in the same way each swimmer is an individual, every teacher will have their own learning needs and aspirations. We want our courses to be open to everyone and accessible to all. Explore which option is best for you:
1. Join a Swimming Teacher Recruitment Academy
Become a swimming teacher for a fraction of the cost and be matched with an employer to mentor and support you through your training.
Find out about our Recruitment Academy
2. Apprenticeships
Institute of Swimming, in partnerships with Creative Sport & Leisure, Future Fit Training and RLSS offer Leisure Team Member Apprenticeship and Leisure Duty Manager Apprenticeships.
These apprenticeships allow you access to high-quality training whilst being employed in the leisure industry, kick-starting your career.
Find out about Apprenticeships
Benefits of becoming a swimming teacher with the Institute of Swimming
Largest provider of Swim England qualifications and aquatic courses
You will be supported by the leading provider of aquatic workforce development and training in the UK with over 40 years of experience.
Learning to suit you
Our industry-leading online learning means that courses can fit around work, lifestyle and learning needs.
High quality education
We want to produce the best aquatics workforce possible and believe that high-quality courses and tutors lead to outstanding careers. In recognition of our great practice and high-quality provision, we achieved the highest accolade “Enhancing” by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
A unique presence in swimming
We work in conjunction with Swim England and exist for the good of the sport; so all proceeds are invested back into developing our swimming talent and improving the health of the nation.
What are my career options?
You have many options once you are qualified and Swim England Qualifications are recognised internationally. A few of the more popular routes may be:
- Become your own boss
You could set up your own business as a Swim Teacher offering one to one sessions or develop your own swim school business employing other staff.
After you have gained experience in teaching you could apply to become a Swimming Tutor.
You could work at a Leisure centre or swim school and be part of a team.
Frequently asked questions
You will need an SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming qualification.
How much will I earn as a Swimming Teacher?
