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Swimming Teachers' Association (STA)
The Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) is a national governing body for swimming and a UK-registered educational charity (No. 1051631), dedicated to the preservation of human life through the teaching of swimming and lifesaving.
Find out more about Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) here...
Find out more about Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) here...
Swimming Teachers' Association (STA): News and press releases
22 May 2026
STA has welcomed a new statement issued by the Swimming Alliance in response to the
Government’s £1 billion investment into school sport and physical activity over the next
three years.
PRESS RELEASE: Live Borders becomes new STA approved training centre and among first in Scotland to deliver Level 7 Swimming Teacher Qualification
20 May 2026
Live Borders has become a new STA Approved Training Centre (ATC) for aquatics and is among
the first organisations in Scotland to begin delivering STA’s newly accredited Swimming
Teacher Qualification at SCQF Level 7.
PRESS RELEASE: STA launches The Ripple Effect charity initiative to strengthen UK swimming teacher workforce
20 Apr 2026
A long-term charitable commitment to training the next generation of swimming teachers Today
STA is launching ‘The Ripple Effect’, a new long-term charitable initiative designed to
remove financial barriers into swimming teaching and strengthen access to
PRESS RELEASE: STA and SEN UK Swimming partner to expand inclusive swimming opportunities for families
14 Apr 2026
STA, a national governing body for swimming, has announced a new partnership with SEN UK
Swimming, a charity working to improve access to swimming lessons for children and young
people with special educational needs and disabilities.
07 Apr 2026
Wakefield Council has confirmed plans to transition its swim school provision to STA’s new 1-
7 graded Learn to Swim Programme (LSP), with implementation scheduled for May 2026.
30 Mar 2026
Safety Training Awards, the awarding organisation of the Swimming Teachers’ Association
(STA) and a CIMSPA Awarding Organisation Partner, has achieved CIMSPA’s ‘Enhancing’ quality
mark - the highest level of quality assurance awarded by the professional d
PRESS RELEASE: STA and Get More Vits announce purpose-led partnership to support swimming teacher training
20 Mar 2026
STA has announced a new commercial partnership with Get More Vits, bringing together
education, wellbeing and social impact through a shared commitment to supporting swimming
teaching across the UK.
PRESS RELEASE: Strong start for STA's new Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification as 450 learners begin training in first 50 days.
06 Mar 2026
The launch of STA’s new Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification has already seen strong early
engagement across the sector, with more than 450 learners beginning their journey as
swimming teachers within the first 50 days.
PRESS RELEASE: GLL extends STA partnership for five more years to support national aquatics workforce and swimming access
05 Mar 2026
GLL, the UK’s largest operator of swimming pools and a charitable social enterprise, has
announced a five-year extension to its partnership with STA.
PRESS RELEASE: STA and Virgin Active renew training partnership
04 Mar 2026
STA is delighted to confirm that Virgin Active has re-signed its partnership with the
association, continuing the successful collaboration first established in 2021 to support
the delivery of high-quality aquatic and safety training across Virgin Active’s UK clubs.
12 May 2021
The Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) has partnered with a psychologist to provide new
mindfulness and wellness resources for its members.
06 Jan 2020
The Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) and Leisure Opportunities have extended their
strategic partnership.
About Swimming Teachers' Association (STA)
The Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) is a national governing body for swimming and a UK-registered educational charity (No. 1051631), dedicated to the preservation of human life through the teaching of swimming and lifesaving.
Since 1932, STA has maintained high standards in aquatic education, delivering regulated qualifications and training to professionals in more than 22 countries.
Working across the full aquatic pathway, STA supports the development of aquatic professionals across swimming teaching, lifesaving, first aid, pool plant operations and health and safety, alongside specialist disciplines including baby and pre-school swimming, disability swimming and aquacise.
With over 20,000 members, a national tutor network and more than 300 Approved Training Centres (ATCs), STA plays a leading role in developing the UK’s aquatic workforce.
Background
Founded in 1932, STA is a not-for-profit educational charity and national governing body for swimming. It has grown into an internationally recognised awarding organisation, delivering CIMSPA-endorsed qualifications and training, while remaining committed to its founding objective of teaching swimming and lifesaving to preserve human life.
USPs
STA delivers a comprehensive portfolio of qualifications regulated by Ofqual, Qualification Wales and CCEA, and accredited by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation, alongside membership services and workforce development solutions for the aquatic sector.
Its regulated qualification framework spans the full aquatic pathway, covering swimming teaching, lifesaving, first aid, pool plant operations and health and safety. This includes both entry-level and advanced programmes, alongside specialist disciplines such as baby and pre-school swimming, disability swimming and open water swimming coaching. The Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification has been developed in line with CIMSPA professional standards, supporting the next generation of qualified teachers.
STA also delivers its Learn to Swim Programme and International Learn to Swim Programme, providing progressive learn to swim and water safety education pathways for all ages and abilities, with over one million awards presented each year. This is further supported by a school swimming programme. Partnerships with organisations such as Paramount enable character-led awards for young learners, including PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants.
A structured programme of continuing professional development enables members to enhance skills, maintain standards and progress within the industry. This is supported by teaching resources, technical guidance and digital learning tools designed to improve consistency across lesson delivery. Membership provides access to professional insurance, ongoing support and a connected network of aquatic professionals.
STA works with swim schools, leisure operators, training providers and national partners to support workforce development and improve accessibility to training, including through the Swimming Alliance, the APPG, as a CIMSPA Education Partner and part of ukactive’s Aquatics Strategic Group.
As a founding member of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers’ Associations (IFSTA), STA contributes to global standards, working with partners across more than 22 countries.
STA’s work has been recognised through multiple industry awards, including ukactive Supplier of the Year, the Federation of Awarding Bodies Innovation Award, Awarding Organisation of the Year for impact on equity, diversity and inclusion, and Charity Times Award shortlist recognition.
Leadership
STA’s leadership team combines expertise across aquatics, education, and commercial operations, with direct leisure sector experience, providing a practical understanding of industry needs from both operator and training provider perspectives.
Show attending
STA will be active across key industry events over the next 12 months, including Elevate and the Active Aquatics Theatre, activenet and sector-specific conferences.
STA will also engage with members and partners through regional roadshows, collaborative forums and its national conference in November.
case study: GLL (Better): National workforce development
GLL, the UK’s largest charitable social enterprise delivering leisure services, has partnered with STA since 2017 to strengthen its aquatics workforce and create a more structured, sustainable training model.
Operating hundreds of leisure centres nationwide, GLL required a consistent approach to training that could support both recruitment and long-term workforce development. By adopting STA’s qualification framework and establishing itself as an Approved Training Centre (ATC), GLL has been able to deliver training in-house, aligned to its operational needs.
This model has enabled the organisation to create a clear and progressive career pathway for swimming teachers, from initial qualification through to ongoing professional development.
Since the partnership began, GLL has trained thousands of swimming teachers through STA qualifications, alongside delivering specialist training in areas such as baby and pre-school swimming. More recently, GLL has been among the first organisations to implement STA’s modernised Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification, supporting a streamlined, employer-aligned approach to training delivery.
The ability to manage training internally has improved accessibility for staff, reduced reliance on external provision and increased flexibility in scheduling courses across its network. The partnership has also supported the upskilling of existing staff, enhancing knowledge, confidence and competence across aquatics teams.
By combining STA’s qualification framework with its own internal training infrastructure, GLL has developed a scalable and sustainable workforce model. This approach continues to support recruitment, retention and progression, while helping to meet growing demand for high-quality swimming lessons and aquatic provision across the UK.
Operating hundreds of leisure centres nationwide, GLL required a consistent approach to training that could support both recruitment and long-term workforce development. By adopting STA’s qualification framework and establishing itself as an Approved Training Centre (ATC), GLL has been able to deliver training in-house, aligned to its operational needs.
This model has enabled the organisation to create a clear and progressive career pathway for swimming teachers, from initial qualification through to ongoing professional development.
Since the partnership began, GLL has trained thousands of swimming teachers through STA qualifications, alongside delivering specialist training in areas such as baby and pre-school swimming. More recently, GLL has been among the first organisations to implement STA’s modernised Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification, supporting a streamlined, employer-aligned approach to training delivery.
The ability to manage training internally has improved accessibility for staff, reduced reliance on external provision and increased flexibility in scheduling courses across its network. The partnership has also supported the upskilling of existing staff, enhancing knowledge, confidence and competence across aquatics teams.
By combining STA’s qualification framework with its own internal training infrastructure, GLL has developed a scalable and sustainable workforce model. This approach continues to support recruitment, retention and progression, while helping to meet growing demand for high-quality swimming lessons and aquatic provision across the UK.
case study: Virgin Active: Consistent, high-quality training delivery
Virgin Active has partnered with STA since 2021 to support the delivery of high-quality aquatic and safety training across its UK clubs. As a premium leisure operator, Virgin Active required a training solution that would ensure consistency, maintain high standards and support both workforce development and member experience.
By becoming an STA Approved Training Centre, Virgin Active has established a structured, in-house training model delivered through its Learning and Development team. This enables the organisation to deliver a wide range of STA-regulated qualifications, including swimming teaching, lifeguarding, first aid and pool plant, across its estate.
This approach provides Virgin Active with full oversight of training quality and delivery, ensuring consistency across multiple sites while maintaining flexibility to meet local operational needs. It also allows for more efficient planning and delivery of courses, supporting both new entrants into the industry and the ongoing development of existing team members.
The partnership has created clear entry pathways into aquatics roles, alongside structured progression opportunities, helping to attract, develop and retain talent within the organisation. In addition, courses are made available to external candidates where appropriate, supporting wider community engagement and access to training.
STA’s ongoing support, combined with the robustness of its qualification framework, has enabled Virgin Active to deliver industry-recognised training that aligns with current standards and employer needs. The partnership continues to play a key role in strengthening workforce capability, ensuring teams are equipped to deliver safe, engaging and high-quality aquatic experiences.
By becoming an STA Approved Training Centre, Virgin Active has established a structured, in-house training model delivered through its Learning and Development team. This enables the organisation to deliver a wide range of STA-regulated qualifications, including swimming teaching, lifeguarding, first aid and pool plant, across its estate.
This approach provides Virgin Active with full oversight of training quality and delivery, ensuring consistency across multiple sites while maintaining flexibility to meet local operational needs. It also allows for more efficient planning and delivery of courses, supporting both new entrants into the industry and the ongoing development of existing team members.
The partnership has created clear entry pathways into aquatics roles, alongside structured progression opportunities, helping to attract, develop and retain talent within the organisation. In addition, courses are made available to external candidates where appropriate, supporting wider community engagement and access to training.
STA’s ongoing support, combined with the robustness of its qualification framework, has enabled Virgin Active to deliver industry-recognised training that aligns with current standards and employer needs. The partnership continues to play a key role in strengthening workforce capability, ensuring teams are equipped to deliver safe, engaging and high-quality aquatic experiences.
case study: swim!: scalable, in-house training model
swim! partnered with STA to establish an Approved Training Centre (ATC) as part of its strategy to bring aquatic training provision in-house and support rapid business growth. As a growing national swim school operator, swim! required a flexible and scalable training model that could respond quickly to recruitment demands and support expansion across multiple sites.
Through the ATC model, swim! has developed its own internal tutor network, enabling the delivery of STA qualifications across swimming teaching, lifesaving, first aid and pool plant. This has given the organisation greater control over training delivery, allowing courses to be scheduled in line with operational requirements and workforce demand.
Within the first year of the partnership, swim! delivered over 200 courses and certified nearly 700 learners. This demonstrates the scale and efficiency of the model, particularly in response to periods of high recruitment, where large numbers of new staff required training within short timeframes.
The ability to deliver training internally has reduced reliance on external course availability, improved planning and budgeting, and increased accessibility for both staff and the wider community. It has also supported the organisation’s commitment to maintaining high standards in teaching and workforce development.
By embedding STA’s qualification framework within its operations, swim! has created a sustainable and scalable training model that supports both immediate workforce needs and long-term growth, while contributing to the development of a skilled and confident aquatics workforce.
Through the ATC model, swim! has developed its own internal tutor network, enabling the delivery of STA qualifications across swimming teaching, lifesaving, first aid and pool plant. This has given the organisation greater control over training delivery, allowing courses to be scheduled in line with operational requirements and workforce demand.
Within the first year of the partnership, swim! delivered over 200 courses and certified nearly 700 learners. This demonstrates the scale and efficiency of the model, particularly in response to periods of high recruitment, where large numbers of new staff required training within short timeframes.
The ability to deliver training internally has reduced reliance on external course availability, improved planning and budgeting, and increased accessibility for both staff and the wider community. It has also supported the organisation’s commitment to maintaining high standards in teaching and workforce development.
By embedding STA’s qualification framework within its operations, swim! has created a sustainable and scalable training model that supports both immediate workforce needs and long-term growth, while contributing to the development of a skilled and confident aquatics workforce.
Swimming Teachers' Association (STA)
Tel: 01922 645097
Email: [email protected]
Web:
www.sta.co.uk
Address:
Anchor House,
Birch Street,
Walsall,
West Midlands,
WS2 8HZ,
Dave Candler, CEO
Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) video gallery:
Key personnel
Dave Candler, chief executive officer
Zoe Cooper, commercial director
Kayle Brightwell, director of education
Brett Preston, director of digital services
Stuart Tanfield, finance director
Zoe Cooper, commercial director
Kayle Brightwell, director of education
Brett Preston, director of digital services
Stuart Tanfield, finance director
Key customers
STA works with a broad range of customers across the aquatic sector, including independent swim schools, national leisure operators, local authorities, STA Swim Academies, Swim Star Swim Schools, training providers and international partners.
Its qualifications and memberships support individual swimming teachers, schools and organisations delivering aquatic programmes.
Its qualifications and memberships support individual swimming teachers, schools and organisations delivering aquatic programmes.
Plans for the next 12 months
STA will continue to embed its Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification across the sector, supporting training providers and employers with implementation, resources and workforce development initiatives. This includes modern approaches to delivery, combining blended learning and digital tools to support tutors and learners.
There will be a continued focus on expanding CPD provision with specialist partners, enhancing digital learning and improving accessibility to training.
STA will also progress charity initiatives to support recruitment within the aquatic workforce, including bursary programmes and outreach activity, while strengthening its work in inclusion, disability swimming and community engagement.
There will be a continued focus on expanding CPD provision with specialist partners, enhancing digital learning and improving accessibility to training.
STA will also progress charity initiatives to support recruitment within the aquatic workforce, including bursary programmes and outreach activity, while strengthening its work in inclusion, disability swimming and community engagement.
Testimonial
“Since partnering with STA in 2017, we have trained over 4,300 swimming teachers through their qualification framework, helping us build a consistent, scalable workforce model across our centres. Their support has strengthened our ability to recruit, upskill and retain staff.”
– Andrew Clark, national sport & aquatics manager, GLL
– Andrew Clark, national sport & aquatics manager, GLL
Testimonial
“Renewing our partnership with STA reflects our confidence in the quality and robustness of their qualifications. STA’s support has enabled us to deliver consistent, high-quality training across our clubs.”
– Stuart Dickinson, quality development and apprenticeship manager, Virgin Active
– Stuart Dickinson, quality development and apprenticeship manager, Virgin Active
Testimonial
“Becoming an STA Approved Training Centre has given us the flexibility to manage training requirements in-house, enabling us to scale quickly and support workforce growth.”
– Kelly Gaffney, head of people and culture, swim@
– Kelly Gaffney, head of people and culture, swim@
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