Institute of Swimming delivers bespoke Aquatic Online Training for Derby City Council Swimming Teachers during Covid-19 Pandemic

The Institute of Swimming has developed bespoke online training for its long term partner, Derby City Council, after an aquatic conference day developed by the Institute of Swimming, was cancelled due to the government’s Covid-19 guidelines.

The Institute of Swimming modified the conference day, transforming the training into an online platform to maintain Derby City Council’s operational aquatic strategy.

Ben Hannan, Sports Manager, Derby City Council says:

“It is extremely important to Derby City Council that the role of a swimming teacher is professionalised and that we continue to upskill and value our staff, even if our pools are currently closed. We are continuing to expand our Swim England Learn to Swim provision, and with our new Moorways Sports Village, scheduled to be completed by late 2021, it is crucial our teachers’ skillset is standardised. Delivering quality and consistency for the customer is at the heart of everything we do. ”

The new Moorways Sports Village will use innovative technology to provide a flexible swimming space. The 50m pool can be transformed into three separate pools, providing opportunities to hold different activities at the same time. A separate learner pool will also provide an excellent environment for swimmers of all ages to have lessons.

The Institute of Swimming’s customised online workshops focused on three key areas; Updating the Learn to Swim Framework, Communication Skills – both verbal and body language and Core Aquatic Skills, including standardising assessment outcomes.

Hannan continues: “We’ve been really impressed with the delivery of the workshops for our swimming teachers. Using online platforms with virtual breakout rooms has initiated a lot of lively discussion and engagement, and has allowed us to keep our staff engaged and to keep our operational strategic aims moving forward, even under lockdown.”

Nick Farmer, Workforce Development Officer, Institute of Swimming says:

“Derby City Council is passionate about aquatics, and we are excited to support our valued partner as it expands its Learn to Swim provision and invests in its aquatic offerings. The online workshops and interactive breakout rooms enabled Derby City Council to bring its teaching staff together in an efficient way during these turbulent times. The feedback from the swimming teachers has been extremely positive. The Institute of Swimming is equipped and ready to transform, adapt and be versatile in its approach to our partners and their training requirements.”

Hannan concludes:

“Moving beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, the further use of online training and staff development is something Derby City Council will further explore with the Institute of Swimming, as it allows workforce development to continue with minimal disruption to the operational running of our leisure centres and pools.”