Swim England Qualifications
Here are the Swim England Qualifications we offer
Scroll down for more information on each of the different qualifications and download the qualification specification.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about which route to take
SEQ Level 1 - Assistant Teacher
This entry-level qualification introduces you to the basics of assisting in swimming lessons and understanding the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework, which is used in 80% of swimming lessons across England.
SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher
The Level 2 qualification is now a single, streamlined course that combines theory and practical teaching experience. It includes 50 hours of learning, with 38 hours guided by a tutor, online self-directed study, and practical assessments in live lesson environments. This prepares you to teach independently and confidently poolside.
SEQ Level 3 Managing Swimming Programmes
Once Level 2 is completed, you can undertake the Level 3 qualification, which develops leadership skills, programme management, and advanced teaching techniques. This course is designed for those who want to manage Learn to Swim programmes, mentor other teachers, and enhance the overall quality of swimming instruction. Level 3 also allows for recognition of prior learning (RPL) if you have relevant experience or previous Level 3 training.
Bespoke CPD Opportunities
Can't see anything you fancy to develop your knowledge further ...?
We are happy to write bespoke CPD training for you and your staff, and indeed we have done this for a number of organisations
SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming to Babies and Toddlers
The Level 2 qualification is now a single, streamlined course that combines theory and practical teaching experience. It includes 50 hours of learning, with 38 hours guided by a tutor, online self-directed study, and practical assessments in live lesson environments. This prepares you to teach independently and confidently poolside.
Continual Professional Development Opportunities
As part of our SEQ Approved Training Centre we are able to offer a range of accredited CPDs. Keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date and refreshed or learn something entirely new.
Pop along to the CPD tab; click here to find out what else you could offer in the pool as part of your teaching portfolio
SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching)
This courses introduces you to the world of teaching.
It will help develop your skills in communication, organisation, planning and confidence.
You will gain a nationally recognised Level 1 Qualification.
This qualification is for assisting or supporting in a teaching environment. It is recognised across the country as a Level 1 qualification which enables you to support teaching to a small group of participants under the supervision of a more qualified teacher.
This is a practical qualification, which will give you the skills needed to act as an assistant swimming teacher
You will learn about:
- The legal aspects of assisting in swimming lessons
- The responsibilities of a Swimming Assistant
- The swimming pathway, fundamental movement, core aquatic skills and component parts of strokes
- Scientific principles of swimming
- What makes up a lesson plan, equipment and communications skills
- How to identify anxiety and use of motivational techniques
- The type of assistance you can provide
- Identify your next career steps.
By the end of this course, you will be able to assist a qualified Level 2 swimming teacher.
Qualification Time
- 30 hours (26 face-to-face guided learning hours)
Entry Requirements
- 16 years+
- No formal entry requirements or prior experience required
Assessment
- Theoretical questions
- Observation record
- Review record
This qualification is not graded. You will either pass or be referred.
Next Steps
Once qualified, your next step is to become an independent swimming teacher, continuing your learning to take the Swim England Level 2 Teaching Swimming qualification and learn the skills to teach children and adults independently
Click the button to download the Swim England Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) Qualification Specification
SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher
The SEQ Level 2 in Teaching Swimming qualification is a comprehensive, one-step course that prepares individuals to teach swimming independently across all ages and abilities.
The Swim England SEQ Level 2 in Teaching Swimming is a streamlined qualification designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver safe, inclusive, and effective swimming lessons from day one. It replaces the previous two-step process, which required completion of a Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) qualification before progressing to Level 2, allowing learners to qualify more quickly through a single, high-quality course.
Entry Requirements
Minimum age: 16 years by the start of the course.
No prior teaching experience is required, though learners can optionally progress from the Learn to Swim Helper CPD course or upgrade from the SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) qualification.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, learners will be able to:
Teach aquatic skills and strokes across all ability groups, from beginners to confident swimmers.
Plan, prepare, and deliver effective lesson plans and schemes of work.
Adapt lessons to meet individual needs and track swimmer progress.
Work professionally within an aquatics team and provide excellent customer care.
Course Structure and Delivery
Total qualification time: 50 hours, including 38 guided hours.
Delivery methods:
Face-to-face: Practical and theoretical learning at a venue with a tutor, including poolside teaching and assessment.
Blended learning: Online interactive theory followed by practical poolside sessions.
The course balances theory and hands-on teaching, with practical assessments conducted in live lesson environments to ensure learners are poolside-ready.
Professional Recognition
Endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), meeting the professional standard for swimming teachers.
Successful completion provides 10 CIMSPA CPD points, supporting ongoing professional development.
It aligns with the Swim England Learn to Swim Program, enabling teachers to deliver nationally recognised swimming lessons with minimal additional training.
Career and Progression
Graduates can work as fully qualified swimming teachers in leisure centres, schools, and private swim schools.
The qualification supports career progression in aquatics, including opportunities to specialise in teaching babies, toddlers, or advanced swimmers.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is recommended to maintain occupational competency and enhance teaching skills.
Level 2 SEQ in Teaching Swimming provides a fast, flexible, and industry-recognised pathway for anyone looking to start a rewarding career in swimming instruction, combining practical skills, professional standards, and career-ready experience.
Level 2 Teaching Pre-School Swimming
This qualification builds on your Level 1 or Level 2 qualification and will give you the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to become a pre-school swimming teacher.
It also includes participation in a minimum of six 30-minute, real-life swimming lessons to gain hands on practical experience.
You will learn about:
- The responsibilities and role of a pre-school swimming teacher
- How early years development, stages of play and reflexes impact on learners swimming ability
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, health related conditions and how to respond and adapt to them
- How to introduce and teach the core aquatic skills in a fun way
- The different supports and holds to use in lessons.
- The advantages and disadvantages of different types of equipment
- How to assess participants swimming ability
- How to plan, adapt and teach lessons which cater for groups with different levels of ability
- Key teaching and lesson management skills including safety and safeguarding, time management and organisational skills, behaviour management, communication skills, teaching methods and motivational techniques
- How to plan for your professional development
By the end of this course, you will be able to independently plan, prepare, deliver and evaluate a series of pre-school swimming lessons.
Qualification Time
- 63 hours (of which 56 are face to face guided learning)
Entry Requirements
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older
Applicants must also hold one of the following qualifications:
- Swim England Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) post 2007 (or ASA equivalent)
- Swim England Level 2 Teaching Swimming (or ASA equivalent) – eligible for exemptions as some learning already assessed.
Assessment
Assessment is made up of a series of component parts: theoretical questions, lessons plans, lesson overview, observation record, evaluation and action plan.
- All the assessment criteria must be achieved
- All evidence produced by the learner must be their own
This qualification is not graded. You will either pass or be referred.
Next Steps
Once qualified, you can enhance your skills with a CPD.
You could also qualify to deliver learn to swim lessons for stages 1 – 7 by gaining the Level 2 Teaching Swimming qualification if you do not already hold this.
Click the button below to download the Swim England Level 2 Teacher for Babies and Toddlers, choose whether you hold the Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification as a pre-requisite.
Level 3 Manager of Swimming Programmes
HALF Fish is one of the few training providers across the country that will be able to run this course initially.
Our Advanced Practitioner, Shelley Whitehead, was part of the team that actually wrote this qualification.
The SEQ Level 3 Swim Coordinator Qualification has been designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be an effective swim coordinator. It develops the wider view of the swim coordinator role for the efficient running of a swim programme, managing the swimming workforce and communicating with both internal and external colleagues.
You will learn about:
- How to maintain professional development and identify your next career steps
- The importance of Swim England, industry guidelines and legal requirements when coordinating swimming programmes
- How to improve the delivery of swimming lessons
- Effective communication skills and how to inform different stakeholders
- Planning and coordination in of the delivery of swimming programmes
- How to deal with the impact on swimming lessons of non-routine incidents
- How to support the development of the swimming workforce
- Understanding the participant journey in order to maximise their experience
- How to plan for business development
- By the end of this qualification, coordinators will be able to effectively and independently plan and manage the safe delivery of swimming programmes, operate the programme in the context of the overall business and manage the workforce
By the end of this qualification it ensures that coordinators can effectively and independently plan and manage the safe delivery of swimming programmes, operate the programme in the context of the overall business and manage the workforce.
Prerequisites
You must be at least 18 years of age or older on the first day of the course
We recommend that you hold an SEQ Level 2 Teaching Swimming qualification (or equivalent), but this certification is not a requirement.