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Pool Management Syllabi


Title:  STA/ISPAL Foundation Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment » syllabus
  Note: Foundation and Certificate Level courses can also be run back to back over three consecutive days by attending a Pool Plant COMBI course.  Course Data Sheet

Title:  STA/ ISPAL Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment » syllabus
  Note: Foundation and Certificate Level courses can also be run back to back over three consecutive days by attending a Pool Plant COMBI course.  Course Data Sheet

Title:  Swimming Pool and Spa Tutor » syllabus
     Course Data Sheet

Title:  Customer Care Module » syllabus
     Course Data Sheet

Title:  Customer Care Tutor Module » syllabus
     Course Data Sheet

Title:  Manual Handling Training Passport & Information Scheme » syllabus
     Course Data Sheet

Title:  Manual Handling Tutor » syllabus
     Course Data Sheet

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Syllabus for Pool & Spa Foundation Certificate

The Foundation Certificate course is designed to provide the basic information and the skills necessary to competently test and maintain swimming pool and spa water quality.

Unit Specification : STA/ISPAL Foundation Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment

Entry Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
  • Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA.
  • Attend a course of instruction for a minimum of 5 hours.
  • Other than specified above no other prior experience or knowledge is required.

Contact Time

5 hours.


Validity

5 years.


Course Information

Following completion of the STA/ISPAL Foundation Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment course successful candidates will be able to:

  • Understand sources of pollution and control measures;
  • Understand the basic principles of pool water filtration and backwashing;
  • Understand the key features of a swimming pool circulation system;
  • Understand the potential dangers and hazards associated with suction entrapment and entanglement;
  • Understand the role and purpose of disinfectants in swimming pools;
  • Understand the pH scale, its function and related terminology;
  • Understand the basic principles of water testing, recording and interpretation leading to corrective action;
  • Understand the importance of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).

Assessment

The qualification is assessed as set out below:

  • Satisfactory completion of the course manual and end of course worksheet;
  • Undertake practical water testing, analysis and interpretation.

Revalidation

The Foundation Certificate must be re-validated every 5 years. Regular on-going training and practice is essential. A Training Record Sheet is available to download from www.sta.co.uk for you to record your regular training. The re-validation process will require the candidate to attend another Foundation certificate course.


Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The STA and ISPAL are committed to maintaining and improving standards and believe that CPD:
• Provides a framework within which leisure practitioners can keep themselves updated.
• Encourages leisure practitioners to use a wide variety of methods (not just Courses).
• Provides recognition of individual development activity.

On successful completion of this course CPD points will be awarded and members of ISPAL can register these under the Institutes CPD Scheme.

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Syllabus for STA/ISPAL Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment

Candidates who have successfully completed the foundation may progress to the STA Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment.

The Certificate in Swimming Pool and Spa Water treatment has been designed to provide information and reinforce the training necessary to reflect the most up to date requirements and standards for those employed in the management and operation of swimming pools and spa's water treatment equipment.


Unit Specification : STA/ ISPAL Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment

Entry Criteria:

  • Be 18 years of age, or older, at the time of examination.
  • Successful completion of the Foundation Certificate in Swimming Pool and Spa Water Treatment or equivalent.
  • Pay the registration fee to the STA.
  • Attend a course of instruction of 12 hours.
  • Satisfactory completion of Pre-course worksheet assignment.

Contact Time

12 hours.


Validity of Award

5 years.

 


 

Course Information

The Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment covers:

  • The industry lead bodies and their recommendations and guidance.
  • Pollution and its removal from the Pool, Spa and associated Plant.
  • Understanding the principles of circulation and filtration.
  • The requirement for regular maintenance on circulation & filtration equipment.
  • Understanding why & how water removal from pools can cause entrapment hazards and how this threat can be reduced.
  • Understanding Swimming Pool ventilation and heating systems.
  • Understanding the principles of water treatment including pH, water balance and water testing.
  • Why microbiological testing is also required and when it is necessary.
  • Analysis and interpretation of readings leading to corrective action.
  • Methods for recording results and maintaining records.
  • Understanding the different types of residual disinfectants and their use in water treatment.
  • Understanding the use of non-residual disinfectants including Ozone and Ultra Violet.
  • Developing an understanding and awareness of current industry best practice, guidance and recommendations.
  • Understanding the principles of Health and Safety and the relevant statutes.
  • Best practice in relation to planned preventative action and troubleshooting.
  • Developing an understanding of the environmental implications of operating and managing Swimming Pools, Spa's and associated plant.
  • An understanding of how the hazards of electricity in pool and plant areas are managed.
  • How the threat of legionnaires and other diseases is controlled.

Assessment

The qualification is assessed as set out below:

  • Completion of Pre-course Worksheet Assignment;
  • Satisfactory completion of the course manual;
  • Completion of end of course multi-choice paper consisting of 25 questions, each worth 1 mark, the pass mark is 18;
  • Undertake practical water testing, analysis and interpretation.


Revalidation:

This qualification must be re-validated every 5 years. Regular on-going training and practice is essential. A Training Record Sheet is available to download from www.sta.co.uk for you to record your regular training. The re-validation process will include completion of a pre-course questionnaire, attendance at a re-validation workshop, which will focus on the syllabus in force at the time, followed by an end of course presentation.

NB The STA/ISPAL Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment supersedes the Foundation Qualification; therefore a candidate that holds both awards will not need to revalidate the Foundation qualification. A re-validation fee is payable to the STA.


Exam Re-takes:

  • Each candidate only has six weeks to complete a re-take.
  • The candidate will need to complete a CAPP 2 form, which can be downloaded from our website or contact the course department.
  • An examination re-take charge is payable to the STA.

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Syllabus for becoming a Swimming Pool and Spa Tutor

Entry Criteria

  • Be 21 years of age, or older, at the time of examination.
  • Hold a current nationally recognised Pool Plant Operators certificate.
  • Be a member of the STA.
  • Submit a current Curriculum Vitae to brett@sta.co.uk.
  • Have relevant swimming pool or spa water treatment management experience.
  • Have relevant teaching/instructors experience.

Length of Course

12 Hours.


Pre-Coursework

  • Complete worksheets as part of the Tutor Foundation Module
  • Prepare a Presentation relevant to Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment, chosen by STA.

Validity of Award

36 months. Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment Tutors are requited to attend updates as and when required by the association in order to keep their status current.


Tutor Selection

The initial selection criteria for potential tutors is based on their industry experience, qualifications and a mandatory requirement to have a nationally recognised Pool Plant Operators certificate.

The tutor programme is designed to ensure that potential tutors are competent and confident to deliver either the foundation level course or the full certificate level.


Course Information

To be appointed a Swimming Pool and Spa Water Treatment Tutor candidates will need to:

  • Attend a Tutors course of instruction for a minimum of 12 hours.
  • Complete relevant pre-course work.
  • Demonstrate the ability to deliver a theory topic.
  • Demonstrate the ability to teach a practical water test.

During the course candidates are assessed on:

  • Presentation skills.
  • Knowledge of the subject.

The qualification(s) that the Tutor will be accredited to deliver are:

  • STA/ISPAL Foundation Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment.
  • STA/ISPAL Certificate in Swimming Pool & Spa Water Treatment.

On completion of the Tutors course successful candidates will become a probationary tutor. They will be moderated on their first course (level 1 or level 2) in order to become a full tutor. (Moderation fee applies)

 

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Syllabus for Customer Care Module

This module is designed for all staff that deal directly with customers whether they are selling products, taking bookings, waiting at tables or acting as instructors or guides. It aims to provide candidate's with the knowledge and skills to provide the service their customers expect. Thus ensuring repeat visits /sales and raising the company profile/brand. Candidate's will learn how to improve service and how to deal positively with complaints from customers. The module will consider communication with customer's face to face, over the telephone and in writing.


Entry Criteria

  • Be 16 years of age
  • Pay the requisite fee to the STA
  • Attend a course of instruction for a minimum of 3 hours
  • Satisfactorily complete the requirements of this module

Assessment

The qualification is tutor assessed; candidates must satisfy the following:

  • Complete the Module Worksheet
  • Take an active part in the group exercises

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Syllabus for Customer Care Tutor Module

Those who wish to tutor or examine on STA training courses must satisfy the STA of their abilities in these areas. Attending a Tutor's Course and satisfying the course tutor/s of their abilities normally achieves this objective; recognition is given for relevant prior experience.


Aims

To produce Tutors who are able to train and assess the appropriate level of competence of the Customer Care Module.


Objectives

  • To be familiar with the Customer Care Module Leaflet
  • To be familiar with the course programme
  • To appreciate the appropriate level required for competence
  • To be familiar with course administration procedures
  • To undertake the end user course
  • To demonstrate an understanding of practical and theoretical aspects of the end user course.

Assessment

To be appointed as a Tutor the candidate will need to satisfy the following;

  • Be a minimum of 21 years of age
  • Be a member of the Swimming Teacher's Association
  • Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA
  • Attend a course of instruction
  • Complete the Training Manual
  • Demonstrate the ability to deliver a theory topic
  • Demonstrate the ability to deliver an exercise
  • Satisfactorily complete the 25 question multiple-choice paper (pass mark 18)
  • Satisfactorily take an active part in the group exercises

Re-Validation

The STA Customer Care Tutor qualification is valid for 3 years only; revalidation is granted after successfully complying with the requirements in force at the time.

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Manual Handling Training Passport & Information Scheme : Syllabus

Aims

To provide an understanding of:

  • The basic principles of manual handling and Ergonomics;
  • 24 hour back care;
  • Types of injuries, how they can occur and how they can possibly be avoided;
  • Legislation, relating to manual handling;
  • Risk assessments

Objectives

  • To be able to perform a risk assessment, in relation to their own work environment;
  • To be able to understand and demonstrate the correct technique for sitting at a desk;
  • To be able to understand and demonstrate a safe warm up and stretching exercises and techniques;
  • To be able to understand and demonstrate the correct techniques for lifting, pulling and pushing;
  • To be able to identify incorrect handling techniques/practices and suggest more appropriate alternatives.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
  • Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA.
  • Attend a course of instruction for a minimum of 4 hours.
  • Be physically capable of fully participating in all aspects of the course.
  • Other than specified above no other prior experience or knowledge is required.

Assessment

The qualification is assessed as set out below; candidates must satisfy all of the following:

  • Completion of the self test worksheets to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Complete the practical sessions to the satisfaction of the tutor.
  • Achieve a minimum of 6 out of 8 questions to pass the final worksheet.

Contact Time

4 hours.


Re-validation

The Manual Handling Training Passport and Information Scheme qualification is valid for 2 years only. If however the Employers risk assessment determines that there is a higher risk involved from manual handling in the working environment, then the training should be undertaken again after 12 months. Re-validation is granted after successfully carrying out the requirements of the syllabus in force at the time. A re-validation fee is payable to the STA. Regular on-going training and practice is essential.

At present:

  • If the candidate has a recognised and current passport, then only Unit 2 (module B) needs to be re-taken.
  • However the main points of Unit 1 (module A) need to be recapped to ensure that the candidate still maintain their knowledge.
  • The revalidation course is a minimum of 2 hours contact time.
  • The candidate will not be required to complete the Self Test Worksheets, but will still need to complete:
    • The Risk Assessment.
    • The Final Worksheet (pass mark 6/8).
    • All Practical Skills.

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Manual Handling Tutor : Syllabus

Aims

To produce Tutors who are able to train and assess the appropriate level of competence of the Manual Handling Training Passport & Information Scheme.


Objectives

  • To be familiar with the course manual
  • To be familiar with the course programme
  • To appreciate the appropriate level required for competence
  • To be familiar with course administration procedures
  • To undertake the end user course
  • To demonstrate an understanding of practical and theoretical aspects of the end user course
  • To be able to safely and competently demonstrate all practical aspects of the end user course.

Entry Requirements

To be appointed as a Tutor the candidate will need to satisfy the following:

  • Be a minimum of 21 years of age.
  • Be a member of the Swimming Teachers’ Association.
  • Attend a course of instruction.
  • Complete the Training Manual.
  • Hold a valid Manual Handling Certificate.
  • Demonstrate the ability to deliver a theory topic.
  • Demonstrate the ability to deliver a practical session.
  • Satisfactorily complete the 25 question multiple-choice paper (pass mark 18).
  • Satisfactorily complete the practical sessions.

Revalidation

The STA Manual Handling Tutor qualification is valid for 3 years only; revalidation is granted after successfully complying with the requirements in force at the time.

The present requirements are:

  • Tutor at least one course every year.
  • Attend an update/refresher course at least every 3 years.
  • To be moderated tutoring during the 3-year period.
  • To hold a current manual handling award.

Personal Specification

The Person Specification for a Manual Handling Tutor in Inanimate Load Handling (Foundation Level) is as follows:

  • Must have attended a post basic course in moving and handling, including an element of teaching
  • Should be able to demonstrate knowledge of relevant legal influences in the field, an understanding of the ergonomic principles involved, and of the risk assessment processes required
  • Must demonstrate a practical problem solving approach to moving and handling issues
  • Must be physically capable of demonstrating good practice
  • Must promote minimal lifting, use of equipment and ergonomic changes to minimise risks to staff
  • Should demonstrate efforts to keep abreast of developments in the field, by attendance at meetings, conferences and seminars, and ideally be a member of National Back Exchange

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