Teachers and teaching
All Aquarius teachers:
- have undertaken Swim England training to level one or two
- are insured with Institute of Swimming (IoS)
- are checked with the Criminal Records Bureau
- are expected to attend Child Protection courses
- hold a current NRASTC Lifesaving Certificate
- undertake continuous professional development
Our teachers are very experienced, and many have shown great loyalty to Aquarius Swimming, having worked for us for many years.
Most of them learnt to swim with us and took advantage of our in-house teacher mentoring before doing their ASA qualifications.
At around 11–12 years an Aquarius swimmer can apply for a position as a helper, and when this works out we are pleased to support their efforts which can lead be a Level 1 Teacher at 16 years old. Initially we will check we have a vacancy, when we have we will work with the new helper and do what we can support them. Up to 16 years old, all helpers have to undertake compulsory Staff Training, two sessions annually. Once they reach 16 they will be expected to take their NRASTC, National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches, if it is appropriate and our helpers appear to be progressing well, we will encourage them to take their Level 1 ASA Swimming Teachers Award. We don’t always have vacancies and sometimes have more potential Level 1 teachers than we have teaching posts, but we do seem to eventually get everyone into the right slot.
Read our National Plan for Teaching Swimming parental guide.
Read our Safeguarding Policy.