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.

The qualification that’s best for you will depend on where you’d like to work. Some swim schools follow the Swim England pathway, while others use the STA pathway. As long as the swim school recognises your qualification, you’ll be able to deliver lessons through either route. If you already know which centre you’d like to work for, it’s a good idea to check which qualifications they accept before you book your course.

• Working in England: Swim England qualifications are widely recognised across English swim schools.

• Working abroad: STA qualifications are often accepted internationally. Swim England qualifications are also widely recognised overseas, and it is usually straightforward to use them for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) when transferring to another country’s system.

• With the STA Award, once qualified you can teach non-swimmers, beginners, and improvers straight away.

• With the Swim England course, you’ll first assist a Level 2 teacher to gain experience before moving into independent teaching.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate
that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they
already have and do not need to develop through a course of learning.

For example:

If you hold another similar qualification you may be eligible for RPL as you can demonstrate you have already learnt the content of part of the course you are enrolling on. 

Some benefits of RPL.
·It reduces the duplication of learning
·Learners can complete this without having to take time from work or attend a learning programme
·Learners can complete this as a method of upskilling if they need to re-enter a workplace.
·It allows for gaps and shortages in skill to be filled

Before registering Learners, Triton Training’s quality manager will discuss with them the option of using RPL for
their past learning or experience and the likelihood that RPL will be accepted.

A Learner’s ability to apply for RPL will be dependent upon their existing levels of skill or knowledge and the evidence they can provide. Where past
certification only provides evidence that could be considered for part exemption of a qualification, Learners must
be able to offer additional evidence of previous learning or achievement.

Pre-assessment fees for RPL.

STA Level 2 Award Qualification converting to SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification: £300.00* 

STA Level 2 Certificate Qualification converting to SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification: £300.00* 

All other International Qualifications converting to SEQ Level 1 & 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification: £500.00* 

After assessment has taken place, Triton Training’s quality manager will provide feedback to the applicant, discussing the results and provide support or further guidance on options available for their further development. This may include additional course fees if there are gaps in evidence and the applicant needs to attend a partial course to complete the transfer of qualification to the new awarding body. 

*Please note that pre-assessment costs include course registration fees with the new awarding body and is non refundable even if the application for RPL is unsuccessful.

To apply for RPL please follow the procedure in the link below:

Triton Training ATC Recognition of Prior learning Policy 2024

Triton Training ATC Recognition of Prior learning Guidance 2024

Swim England courses are ran over 4 days for a level 1 and 8 days for a level two.

STA courses are ran over 5 days for an Award course and 4 days for the Certificate course.

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 will be a multiple choice exam and an observation of your teaching skills by an external assessor. 

For Swim England courses, if you are referred, we will support you in completing the areas you found challenging. This might involve additional practical work, lesson planning, or written questions. If additional costs are required to mark any late theory submissions, support this process, or rearrange practical assessment we will agree these with you beforehand. 

For STA courses, if you do not pass, you will need to pay a resit fee to the STA to retake within 6 weeks. You will also need to either find another assessment opportunity or arrange one with us. If additional costs are required to mark any late theory submissions, support this process, or rearrange practical assessment we will agree these with you beforehand. 

Please ensure that you refer to the reassessment policy below for further detail. 

Triton Training ATC Reassessment Policy 2025

It is very important that you attend your course in full, as each session covers essential learning and assessment elements required by the awarding body.

• If you are late: Arriving late may mean you miss key safety or assessment information. In some cases, this could prevent you from continuing on the course that day or completing the qualification. Please make every effort to arrive on time and contact your course tutor to let them know your estimated arrival time. 
• If you miss part of the course: Once a course has started, we cannot guarantee that it will be possible to catch you up on the missed content, you will need to contact your course tutor who will provide guidance based on your specific circumstances. We also cannot provide refunds for missed sessions. Non-attendance without prior communication also means no transfer or refund will be offered and you may not be permitted to continue on the course..
• Exceptional circumstances: If you are unable to attend due to illness, injury, or another situation outside of your control, you may be eligible to transfer to another course (a transfer fee of 25% of the total course cost applies). Supporting evidence, such as a doctor’s note, may be required.

Triton Training ATC Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustments Policy 2025

• Special considerations: If you have a disability, learning need, or temporary condition, please let us know at the point of booking so we can discuss reasonable adjustments to support your learning and assessment.

If you believe exceptional circumstances apply, please contact our Quality Manager at info@tritontraining.co.uk as soon as possible.

It isn’t essential to be a strong swimmer to take these qualifications. What matters most is that you understand how each stroke should look and can effectively communicate that to your participants. We have successfully trained learners who could not swim at the start of the course, not only did they develop their own swimming skills during training, but they also went on to pass with excellent results.

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.

• A laptop/ tablet or pen & paper
• Photo ID (passport/ driving licence)
• Swim Kit 
• Shorts to wear in the pool. We will provide you with a t-shirt to wear in the lessons
• Towel
• Flip flops/ pool shoes
• Warm clothes for after the practical
• Lunch/ snacks/water

Swim England and the STA do not run ‘their own’ courses but train up individuals to tutor the courses which are administered by them. Companies wishing to deliver the courses must be registered as an Approved Training Centre with each governing body. Triton Training Ltd is an approved training centre for Swim England, STA and RLSS.