So you want to teach swimming? Great, we provide the best opportunities for you to achieve your ambitions. We can help you start your journey as a swimming teacher, and then support you every step of the way as you progress to the level you want.

We’re the UK’s most experienced trainer

As the largest trainer of swimming teachers in the UK, we have a vast experience in supporting all kinds of people achieve teaching qualifications, and we’d love to help you do the same.

Let’s get you qualified

While being an active and challenging role, becoming a swimming teacher is also hugely rewarding. You’ll have great opportunities for employment. Yes, you’ll need your qualifications, but thanks to our expertise and experience, gaining these is also fun and rewarding.

To become a swimming teacher there are two qualifications for you to gain.

The SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) course is the first step and it allows you to support a Level 2 swimming teacher.
We recommend gaining at least 3 months of experience as a swimming assistant before starting your SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming course.

Once you have your level 2 qualification you can then add to your skills with our Level 2 Teaching Pre-school Swimming course or brand new SEQ Level 3 Swim Coordinator programme.

Our course structure

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of government guidance to combat the virus, we have adapted the way we deliver our courses to make sure everyone has the opportunity to train in a safe environment.

Our courses have been split into two halves:

All courses will start online, exploring the theoretical elements either through a series of virtual classrooms, interactive e-learning, or a mixture of both.
Once you have successfully completed the theory you will be able to book onto your practical sessions. These are located across England and will start with a webinar to familiarise yourself with the venue and their Covid-19 policies. During your pool based session, your tutor will go through your practical assessment.

Teaching swimming courses

SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching)

Develops your knowledge, skills and abilities as an assistant swimming teacher.

SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher

Builds on the SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) qualification, giving you the skills to independently deliver swimming lessons.

SEQ Level 3 Swim Coordinator

Produced collaboratively with the swimming sector, to develop leadership skills, support business needs, improve the customer experience and maximise pool performance.

Teaching Swimming to Babies and Toddlers - Virtual Classroom

This course develops your knowledge, skills and abilities as a swimming teacher for babies and toddlers/pre-school children.

Find your nearest course

Continued Professional Development (CPD)

We find that for most the gaining of a qualification is only the start of their swimming journey. The best teachers and coaches are always looking to add to their knowledge and develop their skills.

Find out more

School Swimming

The National Curriculum Training Programme gives you the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality school swimming lessons to make sure your school not only meets but exceeds the national curriculum requirements

Find out more

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

If you already possess the skills and knowledge needed to gain a Swim England qualification, RPL could be the route for you. To qualify through RPL you match your knowledge and experience against the course specification.

Find out more

Institute of Swimming Membership

Help and support so you can develop your capabilities as a swimming teacher

Find out more

Teaching news

Trainee swimming teachers given free access to the Swim England Expected Standards Videos

With the majority of courses starting online through e-learning and live webinars, the Institute of Swimming is ensuring that trainee swimming teachers have all the tools and support they need to succeed. Those starting their SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming or Combined SEQ Level 1 and 2 programmes online, will now have free access to the Swim England Expected Standards Videos while they study the course theory. Both of these courses are

First newly qualified swimming teachers receive their certificates post lockdown

Since the government announced the date for pools reopening, the Institute of Swimming has been busy arranging practical sessions for the 1,000 trainees who started their SEQ Level 1 or 2 swimming teacher courses online during the lockdown. While pools were closed, the Institute of Swimming adapted their courses and split the theory and practical elements so everyone had the opportunity to start their qualification online. This new format is

Everybody Sport and Recreation to help fund training in a bid to recruit new swimming teachers

Everybody Sport & Recreation is looking to train and recruit people to join its aquatics team as fully qualified swimming teachers through the Institute fo Swimming's Swimming Teacher Recruitment Academy. Successful applicants will be taken through their SEQ Level one and two courses, with over 90% of their training costs being funded by Everybody Sport & Recreation, in partnership with the Institute of Swimming. The academy gives

E-learning exploring the Swim England Return to Pools Guidance now open to everyone

To support the release of Swim England’s Return to Pools guidance, the Institute of Swimming created a series of free training webinars and e-learning for swimming teachers and assistants. The webinars saw unprecedented demand with 5000 places taken in just a couple of weeks. These webinars covered an Introduction to the Returning to Pools Guidance, Teaching from Poolside, Effective Communication and Teaching in Deep Water. To make sure

Industry-first qualification supports sector needs and helps teachers take the next step in their career

Swim England Qualifications have launched their SEQ Level 3 Swim Coordinator qualification which is an industry first and been produced collaboratively with the swimming sector. It has been designed to develop leadership skills, support business needs, improve the customer experience and maximise pool performance. The programme is relevant to the current operating environment and gets the candidates to utilise working case studies from their

Swimming teacher training to support Swim England’s Returning to Pools Guidance

In mid-June Swim England released their comprehensive Returning to Pools Guidance which includes robust recommendations for how the whole sector can safely reopen in line with government guidance. So swimming teachers and operators can implement the guidance safely and effectively, and restart their learn to swim programmes, the Institute of Swimming has created a suite of free learning in partnership with Swim England. A series of live

Teaching Swimming

We’re the UK’s most experienced trainer

Let’s get you qualified

Our course structure

Teaching swimming courses

SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching)

SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher

SEQ Level 3 Swim Coordinator

Teaching Swimming to Babies and Toddlers - Virtual Classroom

Find your nearest course

Continued Professional Development (CPD)

Continued Professional Development (CPD)

School Swimming

School Swimming

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Institute of Swimming Membership

Institute of Swimming Membership

Teaching news

Trainee swimming teachers given free access to the Swim England Expected Standards Videos

First newly qualified swimming teachers receive their certificates post lockdown

Everybody Sport and Recreation to help fund training in a bid to recruit new swimming teachers

E-learning exploring the Swim England Return to Pools Guidance now open to everyone

Industry-first qualification supports sector needs and helps teachers take the next step in their career

Swimming teacher training to support Swim England’s Returning to Pools Guidance

Stay in touch