This will depend on where you would like to work, some swim schools work from the Swim England pathway and others work from the STA pathway. Either way, if the swim school recognises your qualification you can deliver either. If you have a centre that you know you would like to work for, check what they accept first.
If you would like to work abroad the STA qualifications are more likely to be accepted abroad. However, the Swim England qualification is more recognized across swim schools in England.
If you would like to get teaching straight away, the STA Award means you can teach non-swimmers, beginners and improvers once qualified. The Swim England course means you assist first to gain experience from Level 2 teachers.
Think about what experience you already have ... in swimming or teaching.
Please give us a call and we can help you choose what is best for you.

Swim England courses are ran over 3 to 4 days for a level 1 and 8 days for a level two.
STA courses are ran over 4 to 5 days for an Award course and 3 to 4 days for the Certificate course.
Our courses are now organised to be flexible to fit in with everyone's changing lifestyle. This is called Flexible Learning, so you may do some of your course online in a virtual classroom with a LIVE teacher and then some in our classroom at the pool and your practical at your centre

On Swim England courses you are assessed by the course tutor throughout, using written questions, ongoing assessment in class and observing on poolside.
On STA courses you are assessed throughout the course with a written portfolio and on the final day of the course, there is an external assessment carried out.

On Swim England courses you are ‘referred’ so we will help you to complete what it was that you struggled with, whether that means more practical or to complete lesson plans or questions. If additional money to support this process is needed we will discuss this with you - this wouldn’t be the full course cost though.
On STA courses, if you do not pass you will need to pay £14 to the STA to retake again after 12 weeks. You will need to find another assessment, or arrange another with us. If additional money to support this process is needed we will discuss this with you - this wouldn’t be the full course cost though.

Swim England courses start with the Level one in Assisting Swimming Teaching, then onto the Level 2 in Swimming Teaching.
STA courses start with the Level 2 Award in teaching swimming, then onto the STA Level 2 Certificate in teaching swimming.
We suggest that you go along and watch some lessons at your local centre, or volunteer with your swim schools lessons if this is possible .... they may even decide to support you through your training!

It actually doesn’t, as long as you know how the stroke should look and how to convey that to the participants you can become a swimming teacher through these qualifications. We have experience of tutoring courses with learners who could not swim strongly, and they improved their own swimming skills on the course as well as passing with flying colours!
Be aware that some swim schools may ask you to teach in the water (and it may be deep) so swimming ability may be something for you to work on in the lead up to your course.
We do lots of our practical stroke work in the water during your course, just have a go ... remember you may be experiencing the same thing that a learner swimmer will be doing, so this gives you a great insight into how they may learn!

Many people feel apprehensive about teaching, even if it is a big passion for them. Throughout the course your confidence will grow though support and guidance and learning how you should teach. However, if you would like more support and guidance we can create a bespoke package for you to meet your needs.
Remember we have done this lots of times and many of the teachers we train have gone on to teach all over the world! Just try your best, attend all of the lectures and take a full part in your course and your tutor will support and guide you

Swim England and the STA, are Awarding Bodies, they provide the certificates - think of them in the same ways as the organisations which structure GCSE's - so they do not run ‘their own’ courses but train individuals to tutor the courses which are administered by them.
Companies wishing to deliver the courses must be registered as an Approved Training Centre (just the same as a school delivering GCSE's) with each governing body. HALF Fish is an approved training centre for Swim England, and the STA . Our tutors have been involved in qualification development too, so know what is involved in all of the qualifications they host

You will just need to remember a swimming kit and shorts and T-shirt. Some days will need to go into the pool twice but this will be communicated to you before the course starts. You can also bring a notepad and pen, but it is not essential. On an STA Course you will be given your e-portfolio and manual at the start of the course.
We use google classroom to host our online delivery - all of this will be explained on your course joining instructions

Yes you certainly can, it will cost and additional £20 and will need to be requested before the start of the course.

The NRASTC full course allows you to rescue within a pool which doesn’t have any lifeguard or first aid cover.
The light version is for teachers who will have lifeguards on poolside with them, so they can react first and gain support from the lifeguard after.
The STA Safety Award for Teachers offers similar course content to allow you to teach swimming without a lifeguard on poolside.