Best practice within your swimming lessons
Teaching position
When a teacher is responsible for delivering a group lesson, the recommended teaching position is from the side of the pool as this gives the teacher the best position to oversee the whole group.
Swim England suggests best-practice for group lessons is the use of a Level 1 Swimming Assistant in the water providing correct manual support where applicable, in addition to a Level 2 Swimming Teacher delivering from the poolside.
There are numerous benefits to swimming teachers delivering from the poolside:
- Enhanced Safety: Better group observation for safety and secure registration.
- Optimal Positions: Continuous view for accurate demonstrations.
- Reduced Support: Less manual assistance is needed.
- Varied Communication: Verbal/non-verbal methods for teaching.
- Improved Behaviour: Better class management
Appropriate holds
Using a Level 1 assistant benefits both swimmers and teachers in lower stages. Hands should be positioned correctly for support, avoiding physical limb manipulation. Verbal and visual instruction should be encouraged to increase the swimmer’s discovery of movement in the water.
When in the water, as an assistant or teacher, support should only be delivered using the following positions;
Appropriate clothing
Teachers and assistants in water should wear rash vests, full-length t-shirts, and shorts over standard swimwear.
The purpose of wearing the above-recommended clothing;
- The teacher is easily identified.
- It provides a barrier between the teacher’s and the participant’s skin.
- The teacher can keep their modesty if a swimmer was to hold onto them.
Tone and language
Use the right tone and positive language when teaching to encourage learners and peers. Clear direction and positive reinforcement boosts confidence and clarifies progress.
The type of language that is listed below is harmful and unacceptable;
- Racist or discriminatory
- Sexual nature
- Belittling or derogatory
- Frightening or threatening
Safeguarding CPDs and courses
Swim England provides a number of courses that increase your awareness and knowledge of safeguarding.
The free ‘Swim England Child Safeguarding Basic Awareness’ course guides you on how to understand; what child safeguarding is, the responsibilities and the procedures to be followed if you have a concern.
Our Swim England Safeguarding CPD goes into more detail than the basic awareness course mentioned above. This workshop will raise your awareness of signs of abuse, and give you the tools and confidence you need to deal with any issues sensitively, appropriately and effectively should the need ever arise.