David Lloyd Clubs to ‘grow their own teachers’ thanks to Institute of Swimming

One of the country’s leading leisure operators is aiming to grow a new wave of swimming teachers after teaming up with the Institute of Swimming.

Following a successful pilot scheme, David Lloyd Clubs are to roll out the ‘Grow Your Own’ training model – developed by the Institute of Swimming – across the country.

The programme means the Institute of Swimming’s Level 1 Blended Learning Course and Level 2 Teaching Swimming Course are run together, reducing the length of time it takes to train staff.

David Lloyd Clubs had an urgent need to increase the number of swim teachers at its venues across the country.

Staff needed to have basic knowledge of instruction and swimming before shadowing existing teachers for a minimum of four hours ahead of starting the combined course.

Nuala Muir-Cochrane, David Lloyd Clubs’ swimming participation manager, said: “We were really struggling to recruit swimming teachers at some of our clubs and this meant we had to reduce our learn to swim programme from seven days to six.

“Our motivation was to create a strong partnership link with the Institute of Swimming and Swim England to enable David Lloyd Clubs to train internal members from other departments.

Thrilled training has been a success

“The impact of the scheme is still being measured but seven David Lloyd Clubs have benefited from additional trained staff to develop and grow learn to swim programmes.

“We’re delighted to have worked so closely with the Institute of Swimming to help fill the teaching gaps we had and make sure our clubs can provide a full learn to swim programme.”

Hannah Kingston, who was one of the David Lloyd Clubs employees who too part on the blended course, said: “I honestly thought the course was amazing – I really enjoyed it.

“The online modules for our Level 1 before the course started were clear to go through and our course tutor, Rebecca, was fantastic, really motivating and supportive.”

Rebecca Cox, the Institute of Swimming’s managing director, said: “We’re thrilled to hear the ‘Grow Your Own’ training model has been such a success and David Lloyd clubs are benefitting from the blended learning course.

“It’s encouraging to hear those who took part on the course have enjoyed the experience and we hope to continue working closely with David Lloyd to help increase their swimming teacher numbers.”