This course develops your knowledge, skills and abilities as an assistant swimming teacher. It will enable you to actively support a qualified swimming teacher in the delivery of a planned learn to swim session.

Course content

You will learn about:

• The legal aspects of assisting in swimming lessons
• The responsibilities of a Swimming Assistant
• The swimming pathway, fundamental movement, core aquatic skills and component parts of strokes
• Scientific principles of swimming
• What makes up a lesson plan, equipment and communications skills
• How to identify anxiety and use of motivational techniques
• The type of assistance you can provide

Download the full SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) specification.

This qualification has been endorsed by CIMSPA as meeting the requirements of the assistant swimming teacher professional standard. Once qualified you can gain a 12 month free CIMSPA affiliate membership giving you access to further benefits.

Prerequisites

You must be at least 16 years of age. There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification and you do not need any previous experience of teaching.

Training format

There are three different ways to complete your SEQ Level 1 Assistant Swimming (teaching) qualification:

1. Face to Face

This will be delivered at a venue with a tutor at the site. The course theory takes place in a seminar room, you will then go to the pool for your practical work, lesson delivery and assessment. 

2. Blended Learning

This course will start online through interactive e-learning which you do in your own time. Once you get to the venue, there is some theory content to cover in a seminar room before your practical work, lesson delivery and assessment pool-side.

3. Online and Virtual

This course allows you to make the most of learning online and will cover the course theory through interactive e-learning and live zoom webinars. E-learning allows you to work through the content at your own pace while the zoom webinars will be with the rest of your course cohort and from the comfort of your own home. Once you get to the venue, you’ll have pool-based practical work, lesson delivery and assessment to complete. 

Training with the Institute of Swimming

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA), has awarded the Institute of Swimming ‘Enhancing’ in its education partner quality assurance review, recognising great practice and high-quality provision. By choosing the Institute of Swimming, you can be assured that the training is outstanding and will support your work and your career.

Job prospects

With many pools on the lookout for new staff, job prospects are good. Pay starts at £6–£10 an hour. For a full breakdown of average hourly rates see our salary checker.

For current employment openings, you can also look at our jobs section.