hello@littleswimcompany.co.uk
Vic 07855 805940
Helen 07968 914013

We are looking for Swimming Teachers to join our team

 

Vic Forman, Little Swim Company

We are looking for swimming teachers to join our team.

Our swimming lessons in North Somerset are proving so popular, that we are looking for energetic, fun and enthusiastic swimming teachers to join the team.

We teach Monday, Wednesday and Friday after school and Saturday mornings. You don’t have to be an expert swimmer, but if you love swimming and feel that you could inspire children to do the same, please get in contact with Vic or myself.

How to train as a swimming teacher / What qualifications do I require to become a swimming teacher?

If you are interested in training as a swimming teacher, the first place to look for information on the training & qualifications required is the Amatuer Swimming Association (ASA) or Swimming Teachers Association (STA). Both run their own programme of training which typically include 2 levels, which I have outlined below.

STA Award & Certificate

The STA run courses all over the country and each course takes approximately 4-5 days to complete. In order to take the STA Award you must also have completed a PEP Award (Swimming Pool Rescue Skills), but this is often incorporated on the first day of the STA Award course.

STA Award aims to produce teachers that can teach up to 10 beginners and can also act as an assistant swimming teacher and can teach larger classes or advanced skills under the direct supervision of a swimming teacher qualified to certificate level.

http://www.sta.co.uk/sta-award-in-swimming-teaching/

STA Certificate aims to prepare holders to teach, without supervision pupils of all levels.

http://www.sta.co.uk/sta-certificate-in-swimming-teaching/

ASA UKCC Level 1 & 2 Award

ASA UKCC Level 1 Award (QCF)  – The first qualification you require for any discipline is the ASA LEvel 1 Award. If successful at Level 1 you can then proceed to Level 2. Both these levels focus on ‘how to teach/coach’ and ‘what to teach/coach’ The holder of an ASA Level 1 Award is qualified to teach / coach in a support role only.

http://www.swimming.org/asa/teaching-and-coaching/the-three-qualification-levels/

 ASA UKCC Level 2 Certificate (QCF) – to work on you own without supervision (other than lifeguarding cover) you will be required to hold an ASA Level 2 Certificate. This will provide you with the skills, knowledge, tools and techniques to effectively plan, prepare and deliver teacher / coaching sessions.

http://www.swimming.org/asa/teaching-and-coaching/the-three-qualification-levels/

Between these two courses, I would recommend getting as much experience as possible by volunteering either down at your local swimming club or sports centre. This is one of the best opportunities you will have to learn from other teachers. Seeing other teachers teach is not only great for picking up teaching practises, but also to learn of games / fun activities you can use to improve your lessons.

Happy teaching 🙂

Posted in: Little Swim Company, Uncategorized

Swimming products we love…

 

zoggs-character-cap-blue-shark

Our clients are always asking us which googles, swimming aids we would recommend and so we thought we would put together a list of the products we love.

Goggles – I really like the mask style, as they are much more comfortable and generally form a better seal. They have easily adjustable straps, which means there is no fuss taking them on and off. The one thing I would say against the Aquasphere goggles is that they do tend to start steaming up, where as Zoggs seem to have found the winning formulae to prevent this.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/aqua-sphere-seal-kids-mask-with-clear-lens/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zoggs-phantom-kids-mask/

Kids swimming costumes and trunks – Without doubt the best swim wear is the Speedo Endurance range – it is amazing! I have had some of my costumes for years and the fabric has never even started to disintegrate. They are not the most exciting swimsuits, but they keep their form and elasticity perfectly.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/speedo-boys-endurance-plus-jammer/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/speedo-girls-endurance-plus-medalist-swimsuit-2/

Wetsuits – Some children obviously feel the cold more than others and being warm and comfortable in the water has a big effect on a how much a child enjoys their class and how quickly they progress. A lot of wetsuits are just too cumbersome for swimming in, but the Aquasphere Kids Stingray is fantastic. It has a warm neoprene body for keeping little ones warm, but with fabric arms and legs to make swimming effortless. Make sure you buy the correct size (it should be fairly snug), but they last for a couple of years and are perfect for holiday too.

Hats – If you find your child’s goggles are continually falling down the back of their head, it is probably due to the conditioner in their hair. A hat works wonders at keeping goggles in the correct position and obviously also stop hair falling into the face whilst swimming. The silicon hats are worth the extra pennies, as there is no pull on the hair and the inevitable squeals! I love these character versions, as they can’t help to bring a smile to your face.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/zoggs-silicone-character-cap-1/

 Swimming aids – This is a question we get asked a lot, particularly when parents are planning a holiday. Armbands are obviously useful if you are managing a number of children in the pool at one time, but they are not great at encouraging a good swimming position. Woggles are better, but they are rather long if you are trying to squeeze one into your suitcase. The very clever people at SplashAbout came up with fings, which we now use in our classes. They are much shorter than a woggle and a lot more comfortable for children to swim with.  They come in 3 sizes for babies, toddlers and pre school.

*These are not a buoyancy device – please watch your children at all times when they are in or around water*

http://www.splashabout.com/en/splash-about-fings-2/

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Special Introductory Offer on all new Baby and Mini Swim classes

 

3pm 004

*12 weeks for the price of 10 on all new Baby and Mini (toddler) swimming classes*

To celebrate our new classes starting in our wonderfully warm hydrotherapy pools across Bristol and North Somerset, we are offering 12 weeks for the price of 10!

Classes will be starting w/c 4 November and we have sessions at:

Our Pool, Wrington, North Somerset – Monday and Friday morning 09.45 and 10.15

Sandford Station, Sandford, North Somerset (close to Weston Super Mare) – Thursday morning 10.30

St Christophers School, Westbury Park, Bristol – Monday and Friday lunchtimes 12.45 and 13.15

COMING SOON January 2014 – *Brand new Hydrotherapy Pool in Bristol BS6*

Hydrotherapy pools are perfect for teaching young babies, as the water is nice and warm 

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