FAQ
Are STA's swimming teaching qualifications recognised/regulated?
Yes. They are regulated by Ofqual and are recognised internationally, allowing you to travel with your career.
The STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming also meets CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard. This professional standard outlines the role and scope of a swimming teacher and the essential knowledge and skills that are needed to meet the sector minimum deployment standards, providing you with the confidence that this qualification is what employers are looking for.
Why is there no level 1 qualification?
To meet the needs and demand of the industry, STA qualifications are all level 2 and above which means upon successful completion of the course, learners can go out and teach on their own.
Which qualification do I need to gain first, the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming or STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming?
Step 1: Start with the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming
You will need to gain the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming qualification first to develop the vocational skills and technical knowledge of a swimming teacher. This will allow you to independently teach your very own class of 12 participants from non-swimmers up to improvers (children and adults). Once qualified, you’ll be able deliver up to the Goldfish stage of STA’s progressive International Learn to Swim Programme.
Step 2: Progress to the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming
Progress on your teaching pathway with the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming—the next step which meets CIMSPA’s employer-led swimming teacher professional standard. This qualification will expand your expertise to teach competitive strokes, survival and rescue skills, diving, competitive starts and turns; allowing you to teach non-swimmers through to advanced participants.
Once qualified, you’ll be able to retain your existing participants by offering progressive lessons, extended skills and advanced awards with the full range of the International Learn to Swim Programme.
What are the main differences between the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming and STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming?
STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming is the
First step to becoming a qualified swimming teacher. It teaches essential skills and knowledge to teach independently.
Teach up to Goldfish stage of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme
Focusses on non-swimmers, beginners and improver participants
STA Level 2 Certificate
Offers expertise to a qualified swimming teacher
Extends knowledge to teach competitive strokes, survival and rescue skills, diving, competitive starts and turns
Teach the full range of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme
Focusses on advanced participants
Why do I need to gain an STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming qualification when I already hold the STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming?
If you want to progress on your aquatic career pathway, by gaining the STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming you can teach the full range of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme, whilst also extending your own skill set to offer more in your lessons.
Is it easy to find Work?
Yes, there is a national shortage of swimming teachers