Applications are now closed for 2024 Swim England Senior Swimming Coach programme.

Recognition of Prior International Learning

If you are applying for the Swim England Senior Swimming Coach with overseas qualifications, you will follow a slightly different application process.

Swim England welcomes applications from coaches outside of the Swim England system. Swimming is a sport with global appeal and significance and we are supportive of raising the quality of coaching though quality education where appropriate.

To qualify for the Senior Coach Programme all candidates must be at a level of the Swim England Swimming Coach Certificate. We recognise that other qualifications may appear similar but may not align with the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria of the Swim England Swimming Coach Certificate. 

Therefore, on an annual basis, we will invite applications from coaches with other qualifications to submit an application of suitability, for an initial assessment*.  This process involves mapping prior learning and experiences against the pre-requisite criteria.  Based on this, applicants will be invited to book onto the Senior Coach Programme or the Coach certificate, whichever is more suitable.

Applicants must:

• Have been coaching athletes at a minimum of regional level or equivalent** in their previous inhabited country.
• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Hold a valid DBS and Swim England approved Safeguarding certificate.
• Be listed on the Swim England Teaching and Coaching Register.
• Be coaching at a Swim England affiliated club.
• Currently coaching for at least 10 hours per week, spanning a minimum of 5 sessions, with the same group of athletes.
• Be the lead coach for a squad of 5 athletes who are competing at regional level or above.

Applications open on Wednesday 1st May 2024 and need to be submitted by midnight on the Thursday 30th May 2024.

Shortlisting and appropriate checks will take place from Monday 3rd June 2024.

Applicants will be notified if they have been successful or after Wednesday 12th June 2024.

As part of the application process you will need to submit supporting evidence to confirm that you have met the essential pre-requisite criteria via this form.

Please do not apply if you do not meet the above pre requisites.

*Initial assessment will be carried out by a Swim England mentor/assessor and administered by the Institute of Swimming on behalf of Swim England.

**With the exception of a coach working solely with Master’s Swimmers, who would need to evidence working with athletes competing at national level or equivalent.