Swimming Teacher Training

If you want to be an inspirational and professional swimming teacher, Cossum Swim Schools can help you achieve the qualifications you need to pursue this rewarding career.

With almost 20 years’ of frontline experience, CSS remains at the forefront of swimming and aquatic teaching in the N Ireland. We follow the STA’s accredited Teacher qualifications. Adopted in over 20 countries worldwide these are designed specifically to ensure swimming teachers are qualified to the highest level.

The rigorous courses are the qualifications required to gain employment as a Swimming Teacher, designed specifically for those who want to confidently teach non swimmers, beginners and improvers of all ages. Our STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming - Beginners and STC Certificate in Teaching Swimming – Full, sit on the National Framework at Level 2 with Ofqual, and both have SQA accreditation, which means you will have attained a high level of aptitude.

Once you are qualified, you can continue to develop your skills by enrolling on additional STA courses for teaching babies, adults, special needs plus Aquacise. Our extensive range of CPD seminars include sessions on Snorkelling, Synchronised Swimming and Seascooter.

The qualifications are supported by the International Learn to Swim Programme (ILSP) which provides the platform for an inclusive, progressive and fun programme that fosters pupil engagement and motivation, whilst rewarding achievement and endeavour.




Teacher Training Courses/ Lifeguard Courses  2012

Places available for these-

Course:  People with Disabilites and People with Disabilites Assistant course, Venue: Cascades Portadown, 20 Sept 2012

Course:  Swimming Teachers Cert / Beginners, Venue: Coleraine INST, starts Sat 9 June 2012

Course:  Baby & Preschool teacher, Venue: Virgin Active/Esporta Belfast, 21 June 2012

Course:  NaRS Pool Lifeguard Certificate, Venue: Coleraine Inst, Sat 28 April - Tue 2 May

Course:  NaRS Pool lifeguard Teacher Examiner, Venue: Coleraine Inst, Sat 28 April - Tue 2 May

Course:  NARS Pool Safety Award,  Venue: Coleraine INST, Sat 9 June 2012

Course:  Aquacise ATA Full Course, Venue: Cascades Portadown, Mon 17 Sept 2012

Course:  Aquacise ATA Conversion Course, Venue: Cascades Portadown, Wed 20 September 2012

Course:  Swimming Teachers Certificate (Full teachers course), Cascades Portadown, Date to be confirmed



Book here - Application forms/ prices/ dates for these courses are available below:

  • NaRs Lifesaving course for swimming teachers Coleraine INST, June 2012 - click here
  • Baby & Preschool teacher, Virgin Active Belfast, June 2012 - click here
  • Aquacise ATA (full Teacher Course), Cascades Portadown, September 2012 - click here
  • Aquacise ATA (Conversion Course), Cascades Portadown, September 2012 - click here
  • Swimming Teacher (Beginner), Coleraine, INST June 2012- click here
  • Swimming Teachers Course (Full cert) March 2012 - click here
  • Special Needs Teacher (Full cert), Portadown, September 2012 - click here
  • Teaching People with Disabilities, Portadown September 2012 - click here
  • STA Pool Lifeguard Course, Coleraine April 2012 - click here
  • STA Teacher/Examiner Course, Coleraine INST, April 2012 - click here                     

         Further information on

"How to become a swimming teacher"

Student Teacher Certificate

This examination course is designed to provide preliminary training for young people aged 13 to 18 as the first step towards a career in the teaching of swimming. Candidates must hold an acceptable life saving qualification and have worked under the guidance of a qualified swimming teacher for at least 5 hours. Candidates take a practical teaching examination and an oral theory examination at the end of the course.

STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming
Beginners (STC[B])
image of STA logoHolders of the STC[B] can teach up to 10 beginners, they may also act as an assistant teacher and may teach larger classes or advanced skills under direct supervision of a suitably qualified swimming teacher. Candidates must be at least 16 years old at the time of the examination, hold an acceptable life saving qualification and attend an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 20 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 18 hours. Candidates are assessed during the course and take a practical teaching examination and an oral theory examination at the end of the course.

STA Certificate in Teaching Swimming
Full (STC[F])
Holders of the STC[F] can teach without supervision, pupils of all levels. Candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of the examination, hold an acceptable life saving qualification, hold the STC[B], or an acceptable equivalent and attend an STA course of instruction that will have a minimum duration of 26 hours. Candidates must attend for at least 22 hours. Candidates are assessed during the course and take a practical teaching examination and a written theory examination at the end of the course.

Aquatic Teaching Qualifications
image of STA logoSTA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching - Aquacise (ATC) Aquacise Teachers are qualified to take aqua sessions for most ability ranges and all fitness levels from the beginner to the athlete. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the examination and attend a course of instruction for a minimum of 26 hours out of a total course duration of at least 28 hours including the ATFU. Candidates are assessed during the course and take a practical teaching examination and a written theory examination at the end of the course.

STA Level 2 Certificate in Aquatic Teaching
Baby & Pre-school (BPC)
Baby & Pre-school Teachers are qualified in the special skills required to introduce babies and very young children to aquatic activities. Candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of the examination and attend a course of instruction for a minimum of 22 hours including the ATFU. Candidates are assessed during the course and take a practical teaching demonstration and a written theory examination at the end of the course.

NaRS Lifesaving
What is NaRS?
image of nars logoNaRS is a group of qualifications designed to provide life saving and lifeguarding skills in swimming pools and on the beach. The NaRS programme offers training and qualifications to suit a wide range of occupational roles and responsibilities. The programme is being constantly developed so that whatever your rescue and first aid requirements, there will always be a qualification that meets your needs. The NaRS programme recognises that there is a degree of commonality in the skills needed and most qualifications have been set up as a series of units making it relatively easy to progress between qualifications as needs or job functions change. A NaRS Pool Rescue Qualification map is below. NaRS has been devised through combining the skills and procedures adopted by a host of specialist organisations. They include the relevant pool rescue skills and first aid skills adopted by the Swimming Teachers' Association (STA), the beach and sea rescue techniques of the Surf Life Saving Association of GB (SLSA) and the professional management skills of the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM). These bodies are totally committed to NaRS. From course administration to its structure, content and delivery, you can be sure of a quality package. This ensures that the qualification is of the highest order combining the latest rescue and life saving skills and knowledge. The STA is approved by the QCA as an awarding body; most NaRS qualifications are, or will be included on the National Qualifications Framework as level 2 qualifications, and NaRS Pool Lifeguard, Pool Attendant and Poolside Helper are all recognised Technical Certificates for the Apprenticeship Framework.

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