THE IMPORTANCE OF PAS 81:2005
01.12.2005
Steve Franks, STA’s Operations Director, looks at the importance of PAS 81:2005 - the new specification for the management and operation of UK swimming schools.
In the UK, anyone with an interest in swimming can set up a swim school. There are no legislative barriers or hurdles to face, no industry rules or single authoritative overseeing body to determine whether the particular organisation is ‘fit for purpose’. As a result, there have been both positive and negative outcomes resulting in important consequences for the sector’s future.
A general lack of restrictions has led to immense growth in private swim school tuition across the country, creating greater access to swimming tuition programmes and contributing to employment opportunities – all of which must be applauded. On the flip side, a lack of control and monitoring has resulted in a blurred picture of the true state of how swim schools within the UK are performing in terms of their operational standards, and their overall contribution to supporting the development of our future swimming champions. Therefore, in order to create greater clarity and to ensure high standards are maintained, the industry must work together to develop guidelines that will ultimately benefit both professionals and customers.
A significant move in this direction is the introduction of a Publicly Available Specification (PAS 81:2005), a joint initiative supported by the British Standards Institute (BSI) and the STA, which provides guidance on the minimum operational standards that should be in place for UK Swim School operators. So what is PAS 81:2005; what impact should we expect from its availability; why is it an important step for the industry; and where will it ultimately take us in the future?
What is PAS 81:2005?
Clear, unambiguous, nationally endorsed guidance and recommendations create positive results because they allow benchmarking of activities, services and operational performance. Indeed, our sector provides a range of professionally endorsed standards and qualifications that have precise frameworks and measurable outcomes. However, these standards generally cover course content and delivery and do not directly impact upon the structure, management and operation of swim schools themselves. The development of PAS 81:2005 is aimed at bridging this gap in a coherent way. It is designed as a blueprint for the sector, available to all organisations that are engaged in the delivery and development of swimming tuition programmes, and provides practical and constructive advice and guidance. PAS 81:2005 has been developed by a steering group of industry experts, representing a range of key industry stakeholders, using rigorous BSI methodology and strict protocols; and is overseen by an extensive review panel made up of representatives from government departments, major sport and leisure organisations, professional bodies and associations, and swimming tuition providers that are active and proficient in the swimming industry. The result is a non-proprietary, non-prescriptive document, reflecting the most up to-date guidance and compiled to address common areas of concern, sector requirements and operational issues.
PAS 81:2005 stipulates minimum recommendations for the development, management and operation of swimming schools in the UK. It includes the minimum safety and operational requirements that should be considered by operators of swimming schools. Its primary aim is to increase safety, raise standards and to disseminate best operational and development practice in the interest of swimming school owners and operators.
What impact should we expect from the introduction of PAS 81:2005?
The introduction of PAS 81:2005 has attracted Government recognition and, from the STA’s perspective, has provided a logical extension of its core activities in swimming development and teaching. Most importantly, it will have a positive effect on safety and disseminate the principles of best practice across the industry. Those who embrace the core principles will be reassured that they are operating in line with nationally endorsed standards and industry best practice.
PAS 81:2005 also brings together disparate legislation and guidance for accreditation schemes and removes duplication and misinterpretations of standards. In addition, it will raise teaching standards, promote learn-to-swim schemes, and give the public confidence in the range and scope of the swimming tuition programme that they are attending.
Due Diligence
Another particularly important feature associated with PAS 81:2005 is in the area of due diligence. Any and all organisations have a duty of care to those who are either employed and/or the recipients of a service from that particular organisation, and whilst PAS 81:2005 does not purport to include all of the necessary provisions associated with running a swim school business, nor does it confer immunity from legal obligations, it does provide a cohesive framework to ensure that operators are reflecting best industry practice.
Why is PAS 81:2005 an important step for the industry?
Currently, there is no national register of swim schools in the UK. Consequently, we are unable to assess safety standards or establish how the sector is evolving. The sector is certainly expanding, therefore by formalising standards and creating a national database, we will be able to assimilate valuable information that will ultimately add value to the sector as a whole. By collecting data, we will be able to evaluate the economic and social value of the swim school sector and its contribution to society in terms of health improvement, safety and employment. It will also identify the contribution made by those swim school businesses that are able to provide programmes that also focus on the elite end of the development spectrum.
The success of the London Olympic 2012 bid is also set to make a significant impact on the range, scope and standards of swimming provision and tuition from grass roots through to competitive levels. It will undoubtedly provide a focus, which PAS 81:2005 should build upon.
What about the future?
The creation of PAS 81:2005 paves the way for positive change. It currently provides guidance and recommendations but will hopefully evolve to offer a common platform for regulation and registration in the UK, and internationally. To achieve this, awareness needs to be built across the industry sector; sustainable partnerships established, and the creation of effective ‘joined up thinking’ across all those organisations and professional bodies involved in the development and delivery of swimming tuition. Once a consensus has been reached, the industry can control its destiny, deliver continuous improvement, and review its achievements and future direction. Regulation of swim schools can only benefit the public and the sector as a whole. It will drive standards up, improve operational performance and broaden swimming programme provision. It will encourage expansion within the sector, new business ventures and the promotion of new employment opportunities.
STAmark
Since PAS 81:2005 was launched in November 2005, the STA has further developed its STAmark accreditation programme to ensure that it is fully aligned with the new standards. STAmark is currently the only accreditation programme that can externally validate a Swim School on best practices and quality standards that reflect the principles presented within PAS 81:2005.
For further information or to order a copy of PAS 81 Specification for the Management and Operation of Swimming Schools please contact the STA on 01922 645097 or email sta@sta.co.uk; or contact BSI on 0208 996 9001 or email orders@bsi-global.com.
