Swimming Teaching Syllabi

For over 70 years the STA has been training swimming teachers and lifesavers both in the UK and in many other countries. In the UK the courses are recognised by the relevant authorities, DFEE, QCA, HSE etc. During this year it is anticipated that over 10,000 candidates will progress through STA courses.
Title:  STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Beginners » syllabus
Acronym:  STC[B]  
Title:  STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Full » syllabus
Acronym:  STC[F]  
Title:  STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Primary Teacher & Secondary Teacher » syllabus
Acronym:  STC[PT] & STC[ST]  
Title:  Student Teacher » syllabus
Acronym:  STU  
Title:  STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching – Baby & Pre-School » syllabus
Acronym:  BPC  
Title:  STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching – Special Needs » syllabus
Acronym:  SNC[T]  
Title:  STA Level 1 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching - Special Needs Assistant » syllabus
Acronym:  SNC[AT]  
Title:  Aquatic Teaching Foundation Unit » syllabus
Acronym:  ATFU  

Also see: Lifesaving Syllabi, First Aid Syllabi, Aquacise Syllabi, Facilities Management Syllabi

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STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Beginners (STC[B]) : Syllabus

Holders of the STC[B] can teach up to 10 beginners. This would be the equivalent to teaching up to the "Goldfish Series", they may also act as an assistant teacher and may teach larger classes or advanced skills under direct supervision of a suitably qualified swimming teacher.

Practical

1. Teaching Beginners

Candidates will be required to teach from the pool surround, a 10 minute lesson with 4 pupils covering one of the following as directed by the Examiner:

  1. Basic Confidence Practices From First Entry To The Mushroom Float.
    1. Safe entry into the water.
    2. Movement exercises in water.
    3. Facial immersion (with eyes open).
    4. General water mobility.
    5. Exhaling with face submerged.
    6. Progressive floatation exercises.
    7. Float in the tucked (mushroom) position.
  2. Regaining The Feet From A Front Or Back Glide.
    1. With floats.
    2. Partner assisted.
    3. Free and unaided.
  3. Progressive Practices Leading To Front Paddle, Back Paddle, Or Treading Water.
    1. Explanation.
    2. Demonstration.
    3. Teaching Practices.
    4. Teaching Points.

2. Teaching Improvers (i.e. pupils who are able to perform Front and Back Paddle).

The candidate will be required to teach from the pool surround, a 5 minute lesson with 4 pupils covering one of the following subjects listed in either a) or b) as directed by the Examiner:

  1. Progressive Practices Leading To Front Crawl, Backcrawl Or Breast Stroke. Teaching the more formal styles is a natural progression from the preliminary skills. Candidates should be fully aware of the techniques of the following strokes:
    1. Front Crawl.
    2. Back Crawl.
    3. Breast stroke.
    When teaching the strokes, the candidate should be adequately prepared to carry out a short lesson which should demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Progressive Practices associated with any part stroke activities of the above strokes.
    The lesson should culminate in a demonstration, by the pupils, in an attempt at the full stroke skill. The candidate should also be able to answer questions relating to relevant Teaching Points associated with the practices as performed by the pupils.
    An awareness of swimming law should be evident in the teachings where it is relevant.
  2. Sculling, Floating And The Shallow Water Practices Associated With Diving.
    1. SCULLING.
      Candidates must demonstrate a basic understanding of the hand/arm movements together with methods of teaching the standard scull used for treading water and floating.
    2. FLOATING.
      Various floating positions with Breath Control.
    3. SHALLOW WATER PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH DIVING.
      1. Safety aspects relative to diving. These should include minimum safe depths of water.
      2. The shallow water practices.
        1. Breath control.
        2. Gliding practices including manoeuvring under the water by repositioning the hands and head.
        3. Underwater orientation by opening the eyes and the ability to recover an object from the bottom of the pool.
        4. General watermanship and mobility to include mushroom floats, handstands, somersaults, springing practices.

Theory Examination

The theory examination is in the form of a verbal questionnaire carried out by the examiner. Answers should include information relating to the following topics:

  1. SAFETY
    1. Appertaining to the class.
    2. Appertaining to teaching.
    3. Appertaining to discipline (pool rules).
    4. Appertaining to the teacher.
  2. HYGIENE
    1. Appertaining to the changing rooms before swimming.
    2. Appertaining to the swimming pool.
    3. Appertaining to medical conditions.
    4. Appertaining to the changing rooms after swimming.
  3. CONFIDENCE PRACTICES
    1. Safe entries.
    2. Confidence exercises.
    3. Submerging exercises.
    4. Regaining the feet.
    5. Floating exercises.
    6. Push and Glides.
  4. FRONT AND BACK PADDLE
    1. A description of the skill.
    2. Progressive Teaching Practices.
    3. Relevant Teaching Points.
  5. TREADING WATER
    1. A description of the skill.
    2. The limb movement variations.
    3. Progressive Teaching Practices.
    4. Relevant Teaching Points.
  6. FRONT CRAWL, BACK CRAWL AND BREAST STROKE
    1. Stroke description.
    2. Progressive Teaching Practices.
    3. Relevant Teaching Points.
  7. SCULLING
    1. A description of the skill.
    2. Standard supportive sculling.
    3. Propulsive sculls.
    4. Progressive Teaching Practices.
    5. Relevant Teaching Points.
  8. FLOATING
    1. A description of the various floating practices including mushroom, back star (supine) and front star (prone), and pencil floats.
    2. Progressive Teaching Practices.
    3. Relevant Teaching Points.
  9. SHALLOW WATER PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH DIVING
    1. Safety aspects relative to diving. These should include minimum safe depths of water.
    2. The shallow water practices.
      1. Breath control.
      2. Gliding practices including manoeuvring under the water by repositioning the hands and head.
      3. Underwater orientation by opening the eyes and the ability to recover an object from the bottom of the pool.
      4. General watermanship and mobility to include mushroom floats, handstands, somersaults, springing practices.

Evidence of Competence

To be successful in the STC[B] Course, the candidate will need to satisfy the following criteria:

Prerequisite

  1. Candidates shall be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
  2. Candidates shall be a member of the STA and pay the full subscription rate.
  3. Candidates must hold a current National Rescue Standard for Poolside Helper award (NaRS[PH]) or an alternative acceptable to the STA.
  4. Candidates shall pay to the Association the requisite examination fee to the STA.

STC[B] Course

  • Attend an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 20 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 18 hours.
  • Complete the STC[B] Portfolio, to the satisfaction of the Course Tutor.
  • Complete, to the satisfaction of the Course Tutor, all STC[B] Multi-choice Tick Sheets.
  • Pass a practical examination (pass mark 50%).
  • Pass an oral theory examination (pass mark 50%).
  • Holders of the RLSS NPLQ must complete the NaRS[PH] Emergency Situation.

Award

Successful candidates will be eligible to teach up to 10 beginners during which, whilst their membership to the STA is fully paid and up to date, they will receive the following benefits:

  • The right to attend, and vote, at meetings of the association.
  • £10,000,000 Public Liability Insurance; This is restricted to members teaching within the limits of their STA qualification only.
  • Loss of Income Insurance in respect of unforeseen closure of swimming pool.
  • Copies of the Swim & Save magazine.
  • Discounts on the STA Awards Programme.

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STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Full (STC[F]) : Syllabus

Holders of the STC[F] can teach without supervision, pupils of all levels.

Practical

The candidate will be required to conduct, with not less than 6 swimmers, a 20 minute lesson consisting of an Introductory Activity and Main Theme using one of the following strokes:

Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke or Butterfly concluding with a Contrasting Activity.

1. Introductory Activity (Candidate's Choice)

This initial part of the complete lesson should be used primarily as a class assessment and warming-up period. It should be possible to relate this preliminary session to the subsequent Main Theme in such a way that the transition between the two activities is smooth and progressive.

2. Main Theme (Examiner's Choice)

The Main Theme activity should form the major part of the lesson and consist of some aspect of improving Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breast Stroke or Butterfly.

The candidate should present this predominant part of the practical examination as a progressive lesson demonstrating appropriate part practices together with the related complete stroke skill.

Attention should be paid to stroke faults and some attempt should be made by the candidate to correct such faults as they occur during the course of the lesson.

3. Contrasting Activity (Examiner's Choice)

In order to give the swimmers a break from the stroke practices, a short contrasting lesson should be used to bring the examination to a satisfactory conclusion.

The practices from which the examiner will select the final part of the lesson are as follows:

  1. The shallow water practices, or
  2. The poolside practices, up to but excluding the plunge dive, or
  3. The plunge dive.
  4. Competitive starts for a specific stroke.
  5. Competitive turns for a specific stroke.
  6. Survival skills.
  7. Rescue skills.

4. Essential Factors

In respect of the teaching of all the skills, candidates should be aware of the essential factors of any beneficial exercise and the lesson should include:

  1. Explanation.
  2. Demonstration.
  3. Progressive Teaching Practices.
  4. Relevant Teaching Points.

Theory Examination

The theoretical (written) examination is a 2 hour invigilated examination in 2 parts. Part 1 consists of 100 multi-choice questions, part 2 requires the candidate to complete one essay type question from a choice of 4 subjects. The topics to be covered will be selected from the following.

1. The STA Level 2 Swimming Teachers' Certificate - Beginners {STC[B]}

2. The NaRS[PH] Syllabus

3. Principles of Teaching Including Preparation and Planning

  1. The learning of skills.
  2. The role of the teacher.
  3. Learning characteristics of different age groups.
  4. Planning issues.
  5. Methods of teaching including the value of demonstrations.
  6. Scheme of works and lesson plans.
  7. Evaluation and feedback.
  8. Incentives and STA Awards.
  9. Use of swimming and training aids.
  10. Gala Organisation.

4. Class Organisation And Management

  1. Pool organisation/preparation.
  2. Class preparation (hygiene and safety).
  3. Class management and discipline.
  4. Pool written operating procedures.
  5. Teaching positions.
  6. Uses of water space.
  7. Ability grouping.

5. Fundamentals Of Swimming

  1. The basic principles relating to buoyancy and flotation.
  2. Different methods of propulsion as applied to swimming.
  3. The various forms of resistance to propulsion and their effect on the swimmer.

6. Teaching Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breast Stroke and Butterfly

  1. Description of strokes:
    B - body position
    L - leg action
    A - arm action
    B - breathing
    T - timing
  2. Demonstration/explanation.
  3. Progressive practices and Teaching Points.
  4. Stroke analysis.
  5. Faults and corrections.
  6. Competitive starts.
  7. Competitive turns.
  8. Laws relating to Freestyle, Back Stroke, Breast Stroke and Butterfly.

7. The Teaching Of Diving Up To And Including The Plunge Dive

  1. Safety aspects relative to diving.  These should include minimum safe depths of water.
  2. The shallow water practices.
    1. Breath control.
    2. Gliding practices including manoeuvring under the water by repositioning the hands and head.
    3. Underwater orientation by opening the eyes and the ability to recover an object from the bottom of the pool.
    4. General watermanship and mobility to include mushroom floats, handstands, somersaults, springing practices.
  3. The pool surround practices.
    The essential features of entries into the water from the poolside from the sitting, kneeling, squatting, lunging, crouching and standing positions.
    1. Description of dives:
      1. Starting position (stance).
      2. Take Off.
      3. Flight.
      4. Entry.
      5. Resurfacing.
    2. Explanation/Demonstration.
    3. Progressive Teaching Practices and relevant Teaching Points.
    4. Diving analysis.
    5. Faults and corrections.

8. Teaching Water Safety And Survival Skills

  1. Straddle and compact jumping entries.
  2. The swimming in and removal of additional clothing.
  3. Floating.
  4. Sculling techniques (stationary, head first and feet first).
  5. Treading water - the various limb movements.
  6. The head and feet first surface dives.
  7. Underwater swimming.
  8. Principles of water safety

Each of the above should be taught using progressive Teaching Practices with relevant Teaching Points.

9. Elementary Anatomy And Physiology

  1. The respiratory system.
  2. The blood circulatory system.
  3. Oxygen debt.
  4. Hyperventilation.

10. Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation

  1. Adults.
  2. Children.
  3. Babies.

Evidence of Competence

To be successful in the STC[F] Courses the candidate will need to satisfy the following criteria:

Prerequisite

  1. Candidates shall be 18 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
  2. Candidates shall hold the STC[B] certificate of the Association (or such other acceptable and comparable preliminary certificate that shall be approved by the Association from time to time).
  3. Candidates shall have completed Part 1 (STC[B]) of the Training Manual supporting the STA Teachers Training Programme.
  4. Candidates must hold a current National Rescue Standard for Poolside Helper award NaRS[PH] or an alternative acceptable to the STA.
  5. Pay to the Association the requisite examination fee - £25.00 for holders of the STC[B].

STC Course

  • Attend an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 26 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 22 hours.
  • Complete the STC[F] Portfolio.
  • Complete, to the satisfaction of the Course Tutor, all STC[F] Teaching Manual Worksheets.
  • Complete, to the satisfaction of the Course Tutor, all STC[F] Multi-choice Tick Sheets.
  • Pass a practical examination
  • Pass a written theory examination consisting of 100 multi-choice questions (pass mark 75%) and 1 essay question (from a choice of 4, pass mark 50%). Time allowed 2 hours.
  • Holders of the RLSS NPLQ must complete the NaRS[PH] Emergency Situation.

Award

Successful candidates are eligible to be members of the Swimming Teachers' Association as Qualified Members with the designation "MSTA".

Re-validation

The STC[F] Certificate is valid for 5 years after which it must be revalidated. To revalidate the STC[F] you will be required to produce:

  • A current Lifesaving Certificate as defined under Prerequisite above.
    AND EITHER:
  • Evidence of practical teaching experience and evidence that your knowledge has been updated by attending appropriate seminars. Completion of Record of Attendance and Record of Lessons, under normal circumstances, will be satisfactory evidence.
    OR
  • Submit yourself for re-assessment by a qualified assessor in accordance with the regulations of the Swimming Teachers' Association in force at that time.

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STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Primary Teacher (STC[PT]) & Secondary Teacher (STC[ST]) : Syllabus

Objectives Of The STC[PT] and STC[ST] Course

At the end of an STC ( PT) course the successful candidates will be able to teach a class of up to 20 pupils:-

  1. Basic confidence exercises.
  2. Regaining the feet from prone and supine position.
  3. Back and Front paddle.
  4. The four competitive strokes.
  5. Associated swimming skills including treading water, sculling and floating.
  6. Shallow water diving practices.
  7. Safety procedures relating to diving.
  8. Diving up to and including the plunge dive.
  9. Water safety and survival skills including swimming in clothing, surface dives and manoeuvring under water.
  10. Resuscitation and dry land rescue skills.
  11. Games and sequencing.

The successful candidate will also have gained the theoretical knowledge to be able to:-

  1. Produce written operating procedures and emergency action plans.
  2. Produce long term aims, short term schedules and individual lesson plans.
  3. Assess, grade and group pupils.
  4. Explain buoyancy and balance in water.
  5. Explain propulsion and resistance in relationship to water.
  6. Understand basic anatomy and physiology relevant to swimming.
  7. Produce a fitness programme.
  8. Produce evaluations and records of pupils and lessons.

The completion of the STC[ST] extends the above knowledge to cover:-

  1. The ability to teach competitive starts, turns and finishes.
  2. Theoretical knowledge of the laws of sport.
  3. The ability to arrange competitions.
  4. The ability to organise, teach and have assessed a rescue and resuscitation programme.
  5. Research into other water based activities for development as outside interests, have-a-go sessions, alternative sports options.

Details Of Units

The STC (PT/ST) consists of 6 units as set out below. The first 4 units make up the STC[PT]; the last 2 units convert the STC[PT] to an STC[ST].

Unit One – Aquatic Teaching Foundation

The legislative background, health, hygiene and safety. Child protection and integration of special needs pupils. Principles of teaching and planning. Basic anatomy, physiology, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics.

Unit Two – Teaching Beginners

Lesson planning, teaching positions, teaching beginners basic aquatic skills, introducing front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke.

Unit Three – Teaching Improvers

Teaching front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, butterfly, diving, rescue and survival skills.

Unit Four – Swimming in Education

Requirements for teaching swimming in an educational environment to Key Stage 2.

Unit Five – Teaching Advanced and Competition Swimming

Teaching sidestroke, Old English backstroke, competitive starts, turns and swimming.

Unit Six – Teaching Swimming – Key Stages 3 & 4.

Requirements for Key Stage 3 and 4 swimming.

Details Of The Course

The complete STC (PT/ST) programme contains 3 separate components:

Pre-requisite:

  • To hold a Qualified Teacher Status or N.N.E.B. (Nursery Nurse) in Education or to be a student training to become a qualified teacher.
  • To complete the pre-course worksheets and reading.

Level 1:

A 6 hour course covering the basic aquatic skills leading to an accreditation certificate.

Additional pre-requisites for Levels 2 & 3:

To hold, or pass, either:-

  • National Rescue Standard (NaRS) for Pool Lifeguards (STA).
  • National Rescue Standard (NaRS) Poolside Helper (STA).
  • National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (RLSS).
  • Local Authority Award (Lifesaving Water Test).

Level 2:

STC[PT] for National Curriculum Key Stage 2

  • To have successfully completed Level 1.
  • Complete the Pre-Course worksheets and reading.
  • Complete the Log Book to the end of Module 8.
  • Conduct swimming lessons for one school term. The lessons taught should be progressive and varied and cover a range of skills and strokes (minimum 10 lessons). OR complete practical lessons on a college course.
  • Complete a 70 question multi-choice paper.
  • Undergo an assessment of Practical work.

Level 3:

STC[ST] for National Curriculum Key Stages 3 and 4

  • To have successfully completed the STC[PT].
  • Attend the sessions, covering the advanced skills, 3 hours in total.
  • Complete all relevant Worksheets.
  • Complete the Portfolio.
  • Complete the projects as required by the syllabus.

Re-validation

The STC (PT/ST) Certificate is valid for 5 years

Provided that you are a member of the Swimming Teachers’ Association you will be notified well in advance of the re-validation date and invited to submit the relevant documents. There will be a nominal administration charge. If you decide to re-validate by re-assessment there will also be an assessor’s fee payable.

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Student Teacher (STU) : Syllabus

The Student Teachers Certificate (STU) has been designed to provide preliminary training in the skills of teaching swimming for teenagers and young adults and it is a natural stepping stone to a vocational qualification in swimming.

Teaching children to swim can be a very rewarding experience but it is also a very responsible job; helping to teach swimming is one of the ways in which young people can give something back to the community in which they live.

It is important that the teaching swimming is only done by people who have had training in the proper techniques; it is always useful for the qualified swimming teacher to have another knowledgeable person to help with the lesson. The STU provides the knowledge to enable young persons to act as assistants to qualified swimming teachers.

The certificate is intended to build community awareness and responsibility to oneself and others. It should also build confidence and self esteem. It is primarily aimed at schools, 6th form colleges, swimming clubs, youth organisations and Duke of Edinburgh award candidates

The course duration is 20 hours and incorporates the NaRS Bronze Cross Award. The course time is reduced to 16 hours for holders of the NaRS Bronze Cross Award.

It must be understood that candidates undertaking the Student Teachers course will never be in complete charge of a class. They will work under the supervision of a qualified teacher, who will specify what pupils they will be teaching and the lesson content.

The teacher should hold a pre lesson meeting to inform students what the aim and learning outcome of each lesson will be, what specific skills should be included in the lesson and how they should be taught. During the lesson the student may use waterproof cards, lesson plan charts which hang on the wall, lesson plans from the STA learn to swim pack or notes taken personally during the meetings.

It must be remembered that the student teacher is there to help the teacher and any pupils whom the teachers identifies as needing special help. It is the responsibility of the student teacher to report to the qualified teacher on all aspects of the lesson.

During the course, lesson planning will be discussed plus lesson content; this should assist the student to have a constructive discussion with the teacher.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be 13 years of age on completion of the course; the upper age limit is 18 years.
  • Be able to swim 100m in a competent manner and be confident in deep water.
  • Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA.
  • Attend a course of instruction for the required number of hours.
  • Satisfactorily complete the following units:
    1. Theoretical Support
    2. Teaching and Learning
    3. Practical Teaching of Swimming
    4. NaRS Bronze Cross Award
  • Other than specified above no other prior experience or knowledge is required.

Assessment:

This qualification is assessed by the Tutor; candidates must satisfy all of the following:

  • Completion of portfolio to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Completion of STU Unit Worksheets to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Teaching under the supervision of a qualified teacher for a minimum of 5 hours covering the skills given in unit 3.
  • Assessment requirements of the NaRS Bronze Cross Award if not already held by the candidate.

Reassessments

If a candidate fails all or a part of any STA examination they should contact their Tutor, or the STA, for the procedures relating to examination re-takes.

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STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching – Baby & Pre-School (BPC) : Syllabus

Holders of the BPC can teach aquatic activities to babies and pre-school children.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be 18 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
  • Be members of the STA.
  • Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA.
  • Attend an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 22 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 20 hours; if a candidate already holds the Unit 1 - Aquatic Teaching Foundation the minimum time that the candidate must attend is reduced by 6 hours.
  • Satisfactory complete the following Units:
  • Unit 1 - Aquatic Teaching Foundation
  • Unit 2 – Baby & Pre-School
  • 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 end of unit worksheets to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Obtaining 24 marks from a 30 question multi-choice questions, each worth 1 mark.
  • Completion of the Portfolio to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Undertake teaching a 10 minute lesson to a class of 2 to 4 parent-infant pairs.

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STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching – Special Needs (SNC[T]) : Syllabus

Holders of the SNC[T] can teach aquatic activities to individuals and groups with most types of disability.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be 18 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
  • Be members of the STA.
  • Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA.
  • Attend an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 24 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 20 hours; if a candidate holds the STC[B] the minimum time that the candidate must attend is reduced by 8 hours.
  • Satisfactory complete the following Units:
    • Unit 1 - Aquatic Teaching Foundation
    • Unit 2 – Teaching Beginners
    • Unit 3 – Special Needs Support
    • Unit 4 - Teaching Special Needs
  • Hold a National Rescue Standard for Poolside Assistant Qualification - NaRS[PH], or an alternative acceptable to the STA.
  • 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 end of unit worksheet to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Correctly answering a 25 Multi-choice question paper (each of 1 mark - pass mark of 18).
  • Assessment by the course tutor of practical poolside teaching skills where the candidate will demonstrate safe control of the group.
  • Completion of the Portfolio to the satisfaction of the course tutor.

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STA Level 1 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching – Special Needs Assistant (SNC[AT]) : Syllabus

Holders of the SNC[AT] can assist qualified teachers who are teaching aquatic activities to individuals and groups with most types of disability. Candidates are not qualified as teachers.

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 an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 12 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 10 hours.
  • Other than specified above no other prior experience or knowledge is required.
  • Satisfactory complete the following Units:
    • Unit 1 - Aquatic Teaching Foundation
    • Unit 3 – Special Needs Support

Assessment

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

  • Completion of end of unit worksheets to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Correctly answering a 25 Multi-choice question paper (each of 1 mark - pass mark of 18)
  • Assessment by the course tutor whilst the candidate demonstrates correct client care whilst assisting a teacher.
  • Completion of the Portfolio to the satisfaction of the course tutor.

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Aquatic Teaching Foundation Unit (ATFU) : Syllabus

The Aquatic Teaching Foundation Unit (ATFU) is a Common Unit that covers the core skills and knowledge that is required for all STA Aquatic Teacher training courses. It will normally be delivered as a part of a qualification training course.

Candidates who have successfully completed any one of the above Swimming and Aquatic Teacher Training Qualifications (except Aquacise) need only undertake the training for the indicated units, and the related assessment, to be certified for additional qualifications. Those training as Aquacise teachers will take Unit 1 – Aquacise Foundation; this contains a part of the AFTU.

Successful Aquacise candidates who wish to progress to other STA Swimming and Aquatic Qualifications need to take Optional Unit 3 - Aquatic Teaching Foundation – Swimming Conversion; for details of Unit 3 please contact the STA.

The ATFU covers the core skills and knowledge that is required for all STA Swimming and Aquatic Teacher Training Qualifications. It will normally be delivered as a part of a qualification training course.

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 6 hours.

Assessment is by:

  • Continual assessment while attending a course of instruction.
  • Completion of the end of unit worksheet to the satisfaction of the course tutor.
  • Answer the end of unit multi-choice question paper, each of 1 mark, with a 70% pass mark.

Assessments

Assessment may be carried out by a variety of methods as set out below. These may be internally assessed by the tutor or externally assessed by an examiner; the types of assessment applicable to each unit are contained in the Unit Specifications. All assessment components must be satisfied for all units.


Types of Assessment

    On Course Assessment – Tutor Assessed:
  • Worksheets
  • Lesson Plans or Course Plans
  • Essays
  • Multi-choice Questions
  • Practical Assessments
    End of Course Assessments – Tutor or Examiner Assessed:
  • Practical Examinations
  • Oral Theory Examinations
  • Written Theory Examinations:
    • Multi-choice Questions
    • Essay Questions

Reassessments

If a candidate fails all or a part of any STA examination they should contact their Tutor, or the STA, for the procedures relating to examination re-takes.

Continuing Professional Development - Baby & Pre-School

The STA is committed to maintaining and improving standards. All STA certified courses are subject to re-validation; the BPC should be revalidated every 5 years.

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements are to obtain 3 CPD points over a period of 5 years. CPD points are allocated under 2 headings:

  1. Theoretical - attending a relevant 6 hour seminar (pro rata for less than 6 hours).
  2. Practical – teaching swimming for 50 hours.

At least 1 CPD point must come from each section.

Continuing Professional Development - Special Needs

The STA is committed to maintaining and improving standards. All STA certified courses are subject to re-validation; the SNC[T] should be revalidated every 5 years.

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements are to obtain 3 CPD points over a period of 5 years. CPD points are allocated under 2 headings:

  1. Theoretical - attending a relevant 6 hour seminar (pro rata for less than 6 hours).
  2. Practical – teaching swimming for 50 hours.

At least 1 CPD point must come from each section.
Teachers must also hold a valid, in date, NaRS[PH].