The Institute of Swimming has launched a swimming teachers’ academy with Hambleton District Council in a bid to solve a local swimming teacher shortage.
The funded swimming teacher training will ensure all children in the district have the opportunity to learn to swim.
The academy will offer local people the chance to retrain and embark on a career as a swimming teacher for just £79 – a fraction of the usual £1,000 cost.
There are no educational requirements for applying, nor do applicants have to be an ‘elite’ swimmer.
The academy hopes to address a warning from the national governing body, Swim England, that half a million children are currently missing out on learning to swim across England due to staff shortages, exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic.
Alison Readman, development officer for leisure business and transformation at Hambleton District Council, said: “We are really pleased to be working with the Institute of Swimming to promote this training to people across the district.
“We hope the reduced course fee will make it more affordable for those wanting to pursue a career as a swimming teacher.
“Having more qualified swimming teachers will allow us to expand our aquatics programme and reduce lengthy waiting lists.
“Learning to swim not only allows children to learn a life skill but it also has many health benefits, so we really want to encourage as many people as possible to come forward and sign up to the training.”
Rebecca Cox, managing director at the Institute of Swimming, said: “We are looking to attract new people into the sector who may not have considered teaching swimming as a career opportunity.
“The new recruitment academy offers local people who can offer their time and commitment the opportunity to train to become a swimming instructor for a considerably reduced fee.”
George Redpath, 18, is an A ‘Level student who qualified as a swimming teacher through the funded training earlier this year.
He is now working part-time for Hambleton District Council.
He said: “I was looking for a part-time job that complimented my studies, saw the training advert and thought that I would give it a go.
“I leant to swim as a child, but wouldn’t consider myself to be an expert. The training is very comprehensive, and I felt able and equipped to start teaching on qualifying.
“I now work at the weekends teaching children to swim, it’s a really enjoyable job. In comparison to many of my friends’ part-time jobs, this is by far the best paid and the most flexible, with the best working conditions.
“I plan to go to university next year, and will continue to teach swimming to help fund my degree.”
The Academy takes people through the Swim England Level One Swimming Assistant (Teaching) Course and Level Two Teaching Swimming Qualification.
In addition to the training, applicants will also receive a years’ membership to the Institute of Swimming and access to the online Introduction to Swimming Strokes – Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Anyone interested should complete an online form by January 26, 2023.
To find out more or fill in the application form visit https://www.swimming.org/ios/course-information/apply-swimming-teacher-recruitment-academy-in-bradford/
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