SHAPING THE FUTURE

Dave Candler, CEO, Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), reveals details of the new Level 2 Qualification, which launched in January 2026

In January, STA officially launched its brand-new Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification. Developed and endorsed against CIMSPA’s updated Professional Standard - and shaped by extensive feedback from members, swim schools, tutors, learners and employers across the UK - this new regulated qualification represents an important step forward for our sector. It will not only shape the future of the swimming teaching profession, but also significantly streamline how courses are delivered and managed.

Building a modern, practical qualification

A priority throughout development has been ensuring the qualification reflects the realities of today’s poolside environment. The curriculum has been completely refreshed and aligned with CIMSPA’s updated Professional Standard across the full learn-to-swim pathway, bringing together everything teachers need to deliver safe, high-quality, inclusive lessons.

This enhanced curriculum includes key strokes, aquatic skills, personal survival, rescue techniques and essential water safety - all informed by industry insight and the changing needs of learners. The structure enables teachers to build strong technical knowledge while also developing the broader skills required for effective, learner-centred teaching.

Importantly, we have placed a much stronger emphasis on practical, work-ready skills. Across consultation, employers consistently told us that new teachers needed more hands-on experience to ensure they felt confident from the moment they stepped onto poolside. In response, this qualification includes significantly more practical teaching and real-world application. It equips learners not only with the knowledge of what to teach, but also the confidence and capability to teach effectively.

This focus on practical readiness marks a real shift in the industry and is one of the most important developments of the new programme.

Supporting tutors through modernised delivery

Just as the needs of learners have evolved, so too have the needs of tutors and Approved Training Centres. ATCs highlighted the need for clearer delivery structures, more flexible models and reduced administrative strain. We listened closely to those insights.

The result is a fully modernised delivery model supported by new digital tools and blended learning options. Tutors will now benefit from updated resources designed specifically to simplify planning, running and assessing courses. These enhancements mean courses can be delivered more efficiently, whether face-to- face, online, or through a combination of both.

One of the most transformative innovations is our AI-assisted marking. This technology will automatically check and process defined elements of learners’portfolios, reducing the marking burden during courses while maintaining consistency and accuracy. This ensures tutors can spend more time teaching and supporting their learners, rather than managing paperwork. Learners, in turn, will receive feedback more quickly, which is vital for their progress and confidence.

We have also introduced a fully digital learner portfolio and a standalone online safeguarding module. This allows learners to complete safeguarding independently and flexibly, ensuring that tutor-led time is focused on the core programme itself.

By embracing modern learning methodologies and prioritising tutor contact time, this qualification provides a more flexible, streamlined and supportive experience for everyone involved in training delivery.

A qualification designed for the whole sector

To truly modernise training, it was essential that this qualification created clarity and consistency across the sector. The new structure supports the full pathway of teaching across all ability levels, ensuring teachers can confidently support learners at every stage of the learn-to-swim journey.

At the same time, one of the qualification’s real strengths lies in its comprehensive scope. By bringing together the skills needed to teach every ability and the full range of aquatic skills into one clear pathway, it creates consistency for teachers and employers alike. This is particularly important for operators, local authorities and swim schools who need a predictable, high-quality standard of teacher training to support workforce planning.

Crucially, this qualification is designed to train teachers - not to prescribe a specific awards programme

Crucially, this qualification is designed to train teachers - not to prescribe a specific awards programme. This ensures STA-qualified teachers remain equipped to work confidently across different learn-to-swim frameworks used throughout the UK. This flexibility remains one of STA’s defining strengths, and it is central to supporting employers’ needs in a diverse sector.

Support beyond certification

Throughout consultation, employers were clear that training should not end the moment a teacher becomes qualified. They emphasised the need for structured post-qualification development to help new teachers grow in confidence, embed best practice and remain aligned with industry expectations. In response, this qualification includes built-in support beyond certification: every learner who completes the programme receives a bundle of CPDs and 12 months of STA membership. This ensures teachers continue to develop professionally during their first year in the workforce, while giving employers the reassurance that their teams are supported, up to date and equipped for long-term progression.

Supporting the transition

As part of this launch, we have invested heavily in supporting the entire training network. Throughout 2025, we delivered a comprehensive programme of live webinars, tutor upskills, resources and implementation briefings to ensure that ATCs, tutors, IQAs and swim schools are fully prepared for the transition.

This collective preparation would ensure that when courses went live, teachers and training providers would be able to confidently adopt the new approach and take full advantage of the enhanced delivery model.

Looking ahead

Our new Level 2 qualification sets a new benchmark for swimming teacher training in the UK, and we are proud to lead the way as a national governing body for swimming. By embedding digital tools, embracing innovations such as AI-assisted marking and strengthening the practical, learner-focused design, we are addressing today’s challenges while shaping the learners of tomorrow. This qualification reflects STA’s long-standing commitment to listening to the industry, adapting to change and leading with solutions that support tutors, empower learners and build a stronger, more confident workforce. As we look ahead to the coming years, this launch marks the beginning of a new chapter - one where training is more efficient, more consistent and more aligned with the future needs of aquatics.

We are proud to lead the way as a national governing body for swimming

For the 20,000+ teachers we represent, for the swim schools and operators we support, and for the millions of learners who rely on safe, high-quality swimming lessons, this qualification sets the standard for what comes next. For more information and to register / search for the first courses, visit [www.sta.co.uk](http://www.sta.co.uk/)

About the author

Dave Candler is the CEO of the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), a position he has held for 10 years, supporting more than 20,000 swimming teacher members across the UK. Alongside this, he is CEO of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers’ Associations (IFSTA), representing organisations in 22 countries worldwide. Dave also holds Chartered Manager Fellow status with CIMSPA and sits on the Swimming Alliance Steering Group, helping to shape national standards, workforce development, and the future direction of the aquatics sector.