Dear Members,

As we approach the end of 2025, it feels like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on what has been one of the most progressive and purposeful years we’ve had as an organisation. The theme that stands out above all else is momentum -momentum built through collaboration, innovation, and the continued strength of our incredible STA community.

This year we’ve seen significant developments across every area of our work. In swimming teaching, we were proud to deliver more than 60% of the market share of Level 2 qualifications in England – a milestone achievement and a testament to the dedication of our Approved Training Centres, tutors, partners, and members.

We also launched our brand-new Level 3 Pool Lifeguard qualification, shaped through extensive consultation with employers and lifesaving professionals. With blended learning and dual first aid certification now embedded for the first time, it has set a new benchmark for what high-quality, flexible, workplace-ready training should look like.

Alongside this, we completely refreshed our First Aid portfolio – one of the most significant updates we have ever made. The new combined qualifications, blended options, and enhanced materials have been warmly welcomed by tutors and learners alike, and they reflect our ongoing commitment to modern, accessible training.

We continued to invest heavily in supporting the wider workforce too, through the launch of the new People Developer course. As teaching, learning and leadership styles evolve, this course has helped tutors, teachers and managers understand how to build stronger relationships with today’s learners, particularly Gen Z, through effective communication and personalised support.

And of course, a year after launching our seven-stage graded Learn to Swim Programme, we were delighted to release a full suite of supporting videos. These cover all core skills across every stage and provide teachers with a consistent, visual way of demonstrating techniques – already proving hugely valuable across the UK and internationally.

Campaigning has remained an important part of our charitable work. In 2024, our Community STArters initiative awarded £1,000 grants to grassroots groups supporting more than 20,000 people. This year, we built on that momentum through Community Heart STArters, donating defibrillators to sports and aquatic charities – a campaign with the potential to save lives in communities across the country.

Another highlight of 2025 was being able to get out and meet so many of you in person. From our national roadshows to this year’s STA Conference, it was fantastic to reconnect face-to-face, hear your experiences first-hand, and share updates on our programmes, resources and qualifications. Those conversations are always invaluable, and they continue to shape the direction of our work.

Our impact has also been recognised nationally. We were honoured to be finalists for AO Team of the Year at the FAB Awards and shortlisted for two categories at the Charity Times Awards, including EDI and Campaigning Team of the Year. These acknowledgements speak directly to the passion and expertise of the STA team and the difference we continue to make together.

STA’s presence across the broader health, fitness and leisure sector also continued to grow. We were proud to return as headline sponsors at the ukactive Awards for the third year running, celebrating the individuals and organisations making a real impact within our industry. And at ELEVATE in June, we once again partnered with Swim England and the RLSS to deliver a packed two-day Aquatics Theatre – a collaborative space that continues to grow in influence, visibility and importance each year.

Partnerships have also remained a cornerstone of our progress. This year we renewed and welcomed new agreements with GLL, Serco, Virgin Active, Wakefield Council, Walsall Council, Glasgow Life and many more. We also secured an unprecedented five-year extension with Paramount, ensuring SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and – soon – Dora the Explorer continue inspiring young swimmers for years to come. And ahead of International Learn to Swim Week, we launched a brand-new water safety partnership with the RNLI, opening up powerful opportunities to share lifesaving messages.

We were also proud to celebrate 10 years of our Swim Star Swim School Programme, recognising the brilliant work of the very first Swim Star schools: Swim-with-Me, Aquarius and Swimmatix in South Africa.

Perhaps one of the moments that means the most to all of us was reaching 20,000 members this year. Your feedback continues to shape everything we do – and when 94% of you told us you were happy with the membership package, we wanted to go even further. So, from January, every member received a CPD worth £25 plus a free legal helpline, all at no extra cost, while we also froze membership prices for the twelfth year running. Your support and trust in us means everything, and we will always reinvest that trust back into you.

And in true STA Family style, we also kept a sense of humour. Our April Fool’s Canine Swimming Teacher qualification became one of our most popular posts of the year – and who knows, maybe one day it won’t be a joke, given how spectacularly it backfired with the number of genuine requests we received!

Looking ahead to 2026

Next year marks my 10th anniversary as CEO – something I am both humbled by and immensely proud of. But as I always say, every success we’ve celebrated this year has been made possible by the brilliant STA team, our partners, and of course, you -our members.

2026 will be a landmark year with the launch of our brand-new Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification. It reflects the changes being introduced through CIMSPA’s updated Professional Standards and has been developed collaboratively with employers, swim schools, tutors, members and learners to create a future-ready qualification for the industry. It has been shaped around the way today’s workforce wants to train: flexible, blended, and focused on real, practical skill development. We cannot wait to share more with you in the months ahead.

Alongside this, we are pleased to confirm that membership fees will remain frozen for the thirteenth consecutive year in 2026, while further enhancing the membership package. From January, members will benefit from an expanded CPD and webinar programme, including a new Mental Health Awareness CPD, developed in direct response to member feedback and the growing importance of wellbeing across aquatic and leisure environments.

Plus, we are freezing prices for STA’s Learn to Swim Awards in 2026. This applies across the full Learn to Swim pathway, including the International Learn to Swim (ILSW) programme and the LSP Grade Awards. As a result, the cost of a badge and certificate will remain at £1.44 (ex VAT) for STA members, with no increase applied. This decision supports STA’s ongoing commitment to keeping swimming accessible and affordable, while continuing to recognise and reward swimmers’ progress at every stage of their journey.

As always, we will continue to champion your voice at every level, support your professional journey, and work tirelessly to strengthen grassroots swimming and water safety across the UK and internationally.

Finally, from myself and everyone at STA – thank you.

Thank you for your dedication, your trust, and your commitment to making our industry better every single day. And a special thank you also goes to our Brand Ambassadors, whose continued support and enthusiasm are truly appreciated.

Wishing you and your families a very happy, successful and healthy New Year.

Dave Candler
STA CEO