Become a Swimming Teacher

Becoming a swimming teacher is a fantastic career path for those who are looking for a rewarding, active and challenging role.

With flexible teaching hours to fit around your lifestyle, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of a work-life balance whilst teaching an incredible and important life skill.

Countless opportunities for employment are available with private swim schools and public leisure centres who are on the search for qualified, motivated and inspiring swimming teachers.

Will you be next?

Where Do I Start?

Fantastic news—you don’t need any previous experience or formal qualifications prior to getting started.

You will need to gain a swimming teaching qualification with STA to get paid employment.

Did you know? All STA qualifications are on the national framework at level 2 or above, meaning you don’t need to train to become an assistant first with STA—upon successful completion of the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming qualification, you will be qualified to teach swimming straight away without the need of supervision!

Start With

STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming

This is the first step you’ll need to take to become a fully qualified swimming teacher with STA.

The Award will develop your vocational skills and technical knowledge, so you can independently teach your very own class of 12 participants from non-swimmers/beginners up to improvers (children and adults).

Learn More and Find a Course

Progress to

STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming

CIMSPA Endorsed—Professional Standard

Take the next step and progress as a swimming teacher, retaining your class by offering advanced lessons, extended skills and advanced awards.

Those who are interested in taking on the Certificate course can also take advantage of 12 months free CIMSPA affiliate membership with access to a wide range of benefits from the professional development body, once they’re qualified.

Learn More and Find a Course

Benefits of STA’s Qualifications

Become a fully qualified swimming teacher with STA’s level 2 qualification(s)
Internationally recognised, allowing you to travel with your career
STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming and STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming qualifications both meet CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard
Training offered at affordable prices
No prior experience or qualifications required

What’s Next Once I’m Qualified?

Find Employment

Find a career in leisure with our dedicated job search, Jobs in Leisure. Search for a career opportunity in your chosen postcode, across the country and internationally.

Find a Swimming Teaching Job

Maintain Your Skills

As a qualified swimming teacher, you’ll need to maintain occupational competency by undertaking regular continuing professional development (CPD).

This can be achieved through face-to-face seminars, online learning or evidence of practical teaching hours.

Learn More About CPD

Become a Specialised Swimming Teacher

Whether you’re new to swimming teaching or looking to extend your skill set, why not consider specialised qualifications?

Baby and Pre-School Award

Are you passionate about giving babies the best and most enjoyable experience in water? If you’d like to set the skills and foundation of a baby’s swimming journey and help them dip their toes into the pool, this qualification is for you.

Learn More

People with Disabilities

Swimming for people with disabilities is extremely rewarding and teaching is equally satisfying. This course is for those who would like to help someone gain water confidence and teach them essential swimming and movement skills through play in a supportive environment.

Learn More

Have an Additional Question Before You Get Started?

Why is there no level 1 qualification?
To meet the needs and demand of the industry, STA qualifications are all level 2 and above which means upon successful completion of the course, learners can go out and teach on their own.
Which qualification do I need to gain first, the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming or STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming?
Step 1: Start with the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming

You will need to gain the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming qualification first to develop the vocational skills and technical knowledge of a swimming teacher. This will allow you to independently teach your very own class of 12 participants from non-swimmers up to improvers (children and adults). Once qualified, you’ll be able deliver up to the Goldfish stage of STA’s progressive International Learn to Swim Programme.

Step 2: Progress to the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming

Progress on your teaching pathway with the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming—the next step which meets CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard. This qualification will expand your expertise to teach competitive strokes, survival and rescue skills, diving, competitive starts and turns; allowing you to teach non-swimmers through to advanced participants.

Once qualified, you’ll be able to retain your existing participants by offering progressive lessons, extended skills and advanced awards with the full range of the International Learn to Swim Programme.

What are the main differences between the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming and STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming?

STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming	STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming
First step to becoming a qualified swimming teacher Teaches essential skills and knowledge to teach independently Teach up to Goldfish stage of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme Focusses on non-swimmers, beginners and improver participants	Offers expertise to a qualified swimming teacher Extends knowledge to teach competitive strokes, survival and rescue skills, diving, competitive starts and turns Teach the full range of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme Focusses on advanced participants

Why do I need to gain an STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming qualification when I already hold the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming?
If you want to progress on your aquatic career pathway, by gaining the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming you can teach the full range of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme, whilst also extending your own skill set to offer more in your lessons.
How much continuing professional development (CPD) do I need to do?
CPD is measured on a points system. STA strongly recommends all swimming teachers gain at least one CPD point per year.

For more information about the requirements for CPD, please refer to our Swimming Teaching Code of Practice, which covers every aspect of what you need to know when teaching swimming—from safeguarding, qualification competencies, teaching in the water, teaching ratios, lifesaving cover, pool temperature and lots more. This can be accessed from your STA Online account.
I'm a Swim England qualified teacher; can I gain the STA Baby and Pre-School Award?
The STA Baby and Pre-School Award is a standalone qualification. Providing learners meet the pre-requisites for the course, anyone is welcome to take this.
Are STA's swimming teaching qualifications recognised/regulated?
Yes. They are regulated by Ofqual and are recognised internationally, allowing you to travel with your career.

The STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming also meets CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard. This professional standard outlines the role and scope of a swimming teacher and the essential knowledge and skills that are needed to meet the sector minimum deployment standards, providing you with the confidence that this qualification is what employers are looking for.
What do I need to do to be able to train others to become swimming teachers?
You can become an STA aquatic tutor, which grants those with the appropriate pre-requisites the ability to deliver and assess STA’s swimming teaching qualifications within their specific discipline.
I have a swimming teaching qualification issued outside of the UK; how do I gain recognition for this qualification with STA?
In order for recognition of your swimming teaching qualification to be considered, you will need to do the following:
- Submit a letter of recognition to STA
- Complete an application form, which will be provided by STA
- Provide copies of your qualification certificates
- Provide the complete course syllabus for your qualifications, in English.

Still Have a Question?

We’re available to provide any guidance you might need on getting your swimming teaching career started—please contact us if you have any additional questions.

Looking for a Career That Matters?
Train to be a Swimming Teacher!

Becoming a swimming teacher is a fantastic career path for those who are looking for a rewarding, active and challenging role.

Where Do I Start?

Start With

STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming

Progress to

STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming

Benefits of STA’s Qualifications

How Much Does It Cost for the Qualifications?

What’s Next Once I’m Qualified?

Find Employment

Maintain Your Skills

Maintain Your Skills

Become a Specialised Swimming Teacher

Baby and Pre-School Award

People with Disabilities

Have an Additional Question Before You Get Started?

Still Have a Question?

Looking for a Career That Matters?Train to be a Swimming Teacher!

Becoming a swimming teacher is a fantastic career path for those who are looking for a rewarding, active and challenging role.

Where Do I Start?

Start With

STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming

Progress to

STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming

Benefits of STA’s Qualifications

How Much Does It Cost for the Qualifications?

What’s Next Once I’m Qualified?

Find Employment

Maintain Your Skills

Maintain Your Skills

Become a Specialised Swimming Teacher

Baby and Pre-School Award

People with Disabilities

Have an Additional Question Before You Get Started?

Still Have a Question?

Looking for a Career That Matters?
Train to be a Swimming Teacher!