After finishing his GCSEs, Miko, 16, from Sevenoaks, used his summer break to qualify as a swimming teacher. Miko completed a Combined Level 1 Swimming Assistant and Level 2 Swimming Teacher Qualification across nine days, successfully becoming a certified swimming teacher before starting his A-Levels.
Miko explains:
“I’ve been swimming from a very young age; it’s my favourite type of exercise. After I completed my Learn to Swim programme with my swim school I joined their fitness swimming group for leisure swimming and fun activities where the teacher suggested I might like to think about getting my swimming teacher qualifications so I could assist with their lessons.
“I’m not a traditional ‘sporty person’. I’m not into football and I can’t run to save my life. I wouldn’t even say I am an amazing swimmer, but I just love being in the water. What’s amazing is that anyone can swim. You don’t need to be especially athletic or driven. Swimming is the number one inclusive sport. Swimming is all about personal improvement and positive experiences, it doesn’t have to be a competition.”
The nine-day swimming teacher course (Level One and Level Two) combines theoretical classroom lessons, coursework and hands-on pool experience. Trainees apply their learning in real swimming lessons, working directly with children.
Miko says:
“I really enjoyed the course. There was a great bunch of people training and the tutors were fantastic. One thing I have learnt on this course is that you don’t need to come from a competitive swimming background to become a swimming teacher. What you need is passion and a willingness to share your love of the water with others.”
Miko plans to work at the weekends and the odd evening whilst studying for four A Levels.
He explains:
“It made sense for me to undertake this complete training programme in the school holidays so it didn’t effect my studies. Doing the training in between GCSE’s and A Levels made good use of the long break and allows me to start teaching immediately.
“Being a swimming teacher will suit my studies, as the hours are often after school and at the weekend. My plan is to teach throughout my sixth form and whilst at university. I’m really interested in studying economics and politics, and hope to apply to the London School of Economics.
“Having a well-paid part time job will really help with the costs of studying away from home, and I’d much rather work with children and young people, teaching them an essential life skill, than be sat at a boring checkout till in a shop. The other great thing about swimming teaching is that in comparison to other part time and student jobs, that often pay a minimum wage, it’s well paid. Plus having a responsible job on my UCAS form will really make my university applications stand out!
“However, the best thing about being a swimming teacher is that it’s incredibly rewarding. Although we have a lot of responsibility, and constantly have to stay focused on our pupils, watching children progress and become water confident is really fulfilling. My ethos is to keep the children happy and motivated. If they are progressing and happy, then so am I and so are their parents.
“Being a swimming teacher allows me to share a sport that I love with others, and allows me to fund and plan for my future at sixth form, at university and beyond.”
Find out about Combined Level 1 and 2 Swimming Teacher courses.