Teaching your child to Swim Well for Life

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Swim well 

Academy

Training learners to teach and save lives

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Swimwell Academy provides high-quality training for anyone looking to start or progress a career in swimming teaching.
As an approved training centre, we deliver nationally recognised qualifications in a supportive, practical learning environment.

Rookie Lifesaver course in Stafford.

A Trusted Training Provider

Swimwell Academy is an approved training centre delivering vocational qualifications within the health and leisure industry.

All qualifications are:

  • Regulated by Ofqual
  • Internationally recognised
  • Delivered by experienced tutors and assessors trained through the awarding organisation

We are committed to delivering training that is engaging, practical and supportive, helping learners succeed with confidence.

Our Swimming Teacher Training Courses

Whether you are starting your teaching journey or building on existing qualifications, our courses provide clear progression routes.

STA Swimming Teacher Qualification

The STA Swimming Teaching qualification gives learners the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to plan, deliver and evaluate safe, fun, progressive and inclusive lessons to adults and child learn to swim participants.

Within a positive learning environment, learners will be able to teach the essential swimming skills, strokes and water safety, appropriate to the participant’s needs across all ability groups.

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STA Safety Award Course
The STA Safety Award is ideal for anyone looking to gain essential lifesaving knowledge and water safety skills. This course covers key rescue techniques, accident prevention, and emergency response in aquatic environments. Suitable for swimmers, teachers, and leisure staff, it provides a strong foundation in safety awareness and practical skills that can be applied in real-life situations.
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STA Baby & Preschool Course
The STA Baby and Preschool Award prepares learners to teach babies and young children in a safe, supportive and engaging way. This qualification focuses on early years development, water confidence and parent–child interaction. Ideal for those passionate about working with young families, the course provides practical teaching skills alongside a strong understanding of child-centred aquatic learning.
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STA Disability Swimming Course
The STA Disability Swimming Course supports teachers in delivering inclusive swimming lessons for swimmers with disabilities. This qualification explores how to adapt teaching methods, activities, and environments to meet individual needs. Ideal for those looking to broaden their skills, it helps ensure all swimmers can access safe, supportive, and confidence-building lessons.
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What we Offer

Everything we do at Swimwell is guided by a simple set of principles.

Affordable, Recognised Qualifications

Ofqual-regulated qualifications that are nationally and internationally recognised.

Supportive Learning Environment


Small group learning with tailored support to suit individual learners.

Personalised Tutor Support


Experienced tutors on hand to guide learners throughout their course.

Many of our learners go on to teach within Swimwell or progress into further aquatic qualifications.-

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I book?

You can book your place on a course by clicking through to each course page from here, We offer a deposit payment for courses over £150, with the balance due a minimum of 2 weeks before the course to keep your place.

change to What Qualification do I need to become a swimming teacher?
You will need to gain the STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification first to develop the vocational skills and technical knowledge of a swimming teacher. This will allow you to independently teach your very own class of participants from non-swimmers up to improvers (children and adults). Once qualified, you’ll be able deliver STA’s progressive International Learn to Swim Programme and STA’s Learn to Swim Programme
Why is there no Level 1 Qualification?
To meet the needs and demand of the industry, STA qualifications are all level 2 and above which means upon successful completion of the course, learners can go out and teach on their own.
Are STA’s swimming teaching qualifications recognised/regulated?
Yes. They are regulated by Ofqual, SQA and Northern Ireland and are recognised internationally, allowing you to travel with your career, it also meets CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard.
I previously completed the STA Level 2 Award. Do I need to retrain?

The STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming is still a valid qualification so you are not required to retrain. However, if you would like to upskill to the new swimming teacher qualification, more information can be found here.

What do I need to do to become a baby and pre-school swimming teacher?
You just need to attend an STA Award in Aquatic Teaching in Baby and Pre school teaching course. You will need to be 18 years old at the point of assessment and hold a current safeguarding certificate
How many learners can I teach from poolside if I hold the STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification?
Teaching from in the water ratio 6 – 1
Teaching from poolside ratio 12 – 1

Ratios will also be depending on the Facility’s risk assessment.

Do I need to hold a lifesaving or safeguarding qualification?
No, safeguarding is embedded within the course, and a lifesaving qualification is not required for attendance. However, employers may require you to hold one.
How much continuing professional development (CPD) do I need to do after Qualifying?
CPD is measured on a points system. STA strongly recommends all swimming teachers gain at least one CPD point per year.

For more information about the requirements for CPD, please refer to the STA Swimming Teaching Code of Practice, which covers every aspect of what you need to know when teaching swimming – from safeguarding, qualification competencies, teaching in the water, teaching ratios, lifesaving cover, pool temperature and lots more. This can be accessed from your STA Online account.

Are STA’s swimming teaching qualifications recognised/regulated?
Yes. They are regulated by Ofqual, SQA and Northern Ireland and are recognised internationally, allowing you to travel with your career.

The STA Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification also meets CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard. This professional standard outlines the role and scope of a swimming teacher and the essential knowledge and skills that are needed to meet the sector minimum deployment standards, providing you with the confidence that this qualification is what employers are looking for.