Training and courses

South Staffordshire’s Training Academy provides a huge range of courses which run across all of our leisure centres throughout the year.

The training is for people wanting to become pool lifeguards, swimming teachers and aquatic helpers.  Courses vary in length and tend to run during school holidays. Courses are available to people aged 14 years+ with others for people aged 16 years+.

Funded Training Available:  Find out if you’re eligible for funded training - call 01902 696228 or email peopleandskills@sstaffs.gov.uk

Courses on offer include National Pool Lifeguard Qualifications, Swimming Teacher and Water Assistant Courses, Safety Award for Teachers and a variety of First Aid courses including First Aid at Work, FAW refresher, Emergency First Aid at Work etc. 

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (Claim UCAS points)

  • Candidates must be 16 years of age at the start date of the course.
  • Candidates must be able to swim 100m front and 100m back stroke continuously.
  • Candidates must be able to retrieve a manakin from the deepest part of the pool.
  • Candidates must be able to swim 50m in 60 seconds.
  • Candidates must declare any additional needs/special circumstances prior to the course commencing.
  • Candidates must complete an enrolment form prior to starting the course.
  • Candidates must have RLSS membership prior to starting the course. visit rlss.org.uk for membership details.
  • Candidates must pay £100 non-refundable deposit.  Places will only be held for 48hours and released if no deposit is paid.

DATES

  • Penkridge Leisure Centre, Monday May 27th - Saturday June 1st 2024, 9am-5.30pm
  • Wombourne Leisure Centre, Monday August 5th - Saturday August 10th 2024, 9am-5.30pm
  • Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, Monday August 19th - Saturday August 24th 2024, 9am-5.30pm
  • Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, Monday October 28th - Saturday November 2nd 2024, 9am-5.30pm

BOOK NOW

To check availability and book onto a course, email trainingacademy@sstaffs.gov.uk  

COST:

£280 per person - £100 non-refundable deposit secures place.

STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming

STA L2 Award in Teaching Swimming

  • Candidates must be 16 years+ at the start of the course.
  • Candidates must register with STA (Swimming Teachers Association) for a membership number which is needed to complete an enrolment form at the start of the course
  • Candidates must commit to the homebased work to complete the requirements of the course
  • Candidates must have 100% attendance for the course

DATES

  • Wombourne Leisure Centre, Sunday August 18th - Friday August 23rd 2024, 8.30am-5.30pm
  • Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, Sunday July 21st - Friday July 26th 2024, 8.30am-5.30pm

BOOK NOW

Wombourne Leisure Centre  01902 898202  wombourne@sstaffs.gov.uk

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre  01922 417790  cheslynhay@sstaffs.gov.uk 

COST: 

£295 per person - £70 non-refundable deposit secures place.

STA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Swimming

This course is open to all teachers who hold the STA L2 Award in Teaching Swimming and is the next step to enable you to teach the higher level groups in the STA International Learn to Swim Programme.

  • Candidates must be 16 years+ at the start of the course.
  • Candidates must hold current membership with STA (Swimming Teachers Association) 
  • Candidates must hold the STA L2 Award in Teaching Swimming
  • Candidates must commit to the homebased work to complete the requirements of the course
  • Candidates must have 100% attendance for the course

(Please note the Swim England Level 1 Award in Aquatic Teaching is not an acceptable entry requirement)

DATES:

  • Codsall Leisure Centre, Tuesday August 6th - Friday August 9th 2024, 8.30am-5.30pm
  • Wombourne Leisure Centre, Tuesday October 29th - Friday November 1st 2024, 8.30-5.30pm

BOOK NOW:

To check availability and book onto a course, contact the leisure centre.

COSTS:

£295 per person - £70 non-refundable deposit secures place

STA Level 2 Safety Award for Teachers/Helpers

Safety Award for Teachers/Helpers

STA Level 2 Safety Award for Teachers/Helpers is designed to give you peace of mind when working in a pool where there may be no permanent lifeguard on duty but also to help give a sense of security for swimming lessons or other activities in the water where rescue may be required.

Requirements:

  • be 14years old and above to undertake this course
  • be able to swim 25m
  • be able to recover a manakin from the deep part of the pool
  • make sure you bring your swim kit including t-shirt/shorts to wear in the water
  • bring your refreshments/food with you as under 16's will not be allowed off site

DATES:

  • Codsall Leisure Centre, Monday August 5th 2024, 9am-5pm
  • Wombourne Leisure Centre, Monday October 28th 2024, 9am-5pm

BOOK NOW:

Penkridge Leisure Centre  01785 714152  penkridge@sstaffs.gov.uk

Codsall Leisure Centre  01902 844032  codsall@sstaffs.gov.uk

Wombourne Leisure Centre  01902 898202  wombourne@sstaffs.gov.uk 

COSTS:

£95 per person - £60 non-refundable deposit secures place.

 

 

Aquatic Helper Course

The Aquatic Helper course is designed to give some background knowledge of how the teachers deliver their lessons and the support that an in-water helper may need to give to assist children to learn to swim.

You will not be a qualified teacher and cannot make any claim that you are.  You will be under the direction of a fully qualified teacher at all times when working as an assistant in the water.

Requirements:

  • minimum age 14years 
  • must be able to swim 25m unaided
  • tread water for 1 minute 
  • be prepared to perform a rescue of a manakin from the bottom of the pool.
  • post course - complete 12 hours voluntary work with any swim school (signed of by a qualified teacher) prior to being awarded the Aquatic Helper Certificate

You will need to bring swim kit for the water side and complete a workbook which will be given out on the day of the course.  

You will need to bring lunch/refreshments as under 16years will not be allowed off the premises during the course

Parental consent is required for under 16 year olds - form to be collected, completed and returned to the centre prior to the course taking place.

Please note there may be people over the age of 16 years on this course.

Candidates will get in the water twice to learn and practice skills, and to assist with lessons for 1 hour at the site of the course where practical/available.

For general enquiries about the course, contact the leisure centres direct. 

DATES:

  • Penkridge Leisure Centre, Monday July 29th 2024, 9am-5pm
  • Wombourne Leisure Centre, Monday September 2nd 2024, 9am-5pm

BOOK NOW:

Codsall Leisure Centre  01902 844032  codsall@sstaffs.gov.uk

Penkridge Leisure Centre  01785 714152  penkridge@sstaffs.gov.uk

Wombourne Leisure Centre  01902 898202  wombourne@sstaffs.gov.uk

COSTS:

£65 per person. A  non-refundable deposit may be required at the time of booking. 

 

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