Certificate in the Teaching of Swimming for Adults other than Teachers (24 hours)

This programme must be delivered in two stages.  Stage 1 (18 hours) will be followed approximately 2-3 months later by stage 2 (6 hours).  Completion of Stage 1 will allow the AOTT to provide support to a more qualified teacher and enable the candidate to gain wide experience in the teaching of swimming.  A 1 day (6 hour) module is also available.  AOTTS completing the 1 day (6 hour) module only will be qualified to assist a more qualified teacher by working with a small group of similar ability covering a limited range of basic skills under direct supervision.  Those who complete the full 24 hour course will be able to teach a wider range of skills to a group of similar or mixed ability under the supervision of an ASA/UKCC Teacher/Coach (or equivalent) or a qualified teacher (QTS) who holds the ASA Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming.   AOTTS completing the Helper Course who wish to attend the full 24-hour course will be exempt from Day 1 of this course.

Pre-requisite

Minimum 18 years of age at the start of the course. Currently working as a classroom assistant or as a classroom helper and nominated by the Head Teacher of the school (where currently assisting or helping) to participate in the course.

Aim

To equip an AOTT to teach a range of aquatic skills to groups, to groups of similar or mixed ability under the guidance of an ASA/UKCC Teacher/Coach (or equivalent) or a qualified teacher (QTS) who holds the ASA Primary School Teacher Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming.

Objectives

To familiarise the AOTT with issues related to the delivery of swimming in schools

Syllabus
- Roles and responsibilities of an AOTT; those who achieve Module 1 and those who achieve Modules 1 & 2
- Establishing an effective working relationship with;
  - the school teacher
  - the swimming teacher
- Difference between working under supervision and under guidance
- National Curriculum programme of study

To equip the AOTT with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist in the delivery of a session

- Management of time, space, pupils and equipment
- Working with a small group of similar ability
- Working with a larger group of mixed ability
- Working from a pre-prepared session outline
- Basic teaching methods; whole part whole, guided discovery, multi stroke and single stroke
- Positioning on the poolside and in the water; verbal communication; visual communication including mime and demonstration.

To familiarise AOTTs with the TOPS Swim Resource

Syllabus
- Overview of the cards; relationship to National Curriculum;requirements for Physical Education e.g. four aspects of physical education; scope of cards e.g. multi discipline; Health & fitness; school club links; water safety.

To equip the AOTT with basic technical knowledge

Syllabus
-Key underpinning skills – what are they and why are they important?
- Safe entries and exits including use of steps, swivel entry, climbing out
- Floating
- Breath control and initial submersion
- Regaining the standing position
- Sculling
- Streamlining
- Transition to deep water, including treading water
- Using games to develop key underpinning skills
- Issues related to teaching non swimmers

Development of a range of aquatic skills
 - safe feet first entries
- floating
- submersion, including swimming underwater and picking up objects
- vertical and horizontal rotation, including front and back somersaults in the water
- sequencing

Key principles related to the four recognised strokes

- Body position and influence of head position
- Alternating actions – key points related to Frontcrawl and Backcrawl
- Simultaneous actions – key points related to Breaststroke and Butterfly
- Using BLABT as an observation technique
- Development of technique through the use of progressive practices and games activities; identification of faults, causes and corrections; introduction to stroke analysis

Fundamentals

- Flotation, resistance, propulsion and rotation
- Acquisition of skill – repetition and reinforcement
- Principles and practise of stroke analysis

To equip the AOTT with knowledge of Health and Safety in the pool environment

Syllabus
- Practical application of NOPs and EAPs
- Knowledge of types and location of rescue equipment

To equip the AOTT with basic water safety knowledge

Syllabus
- Water safety code
- Safety in and around water including introducing swimmers to risk assessment
- Introduction to non contact rescues

To assist the AOTT to develop swimming and water safety within their own school

Syllabus
- Planning an effective school programme
- School/club links
- Role of the ESSA/ASA/RLSS
- Legal responsibility of the teacher

To familiarise the AOTT with the school / club links programme

Syllabus
- What can schools do?
- Swim 21 and accredited clubs
- School teachers / swimming teacher relationship

Method of Assessment

Each AOTT will be continuously assessed within the practical context through the use of an assessment checklist, oral questioning and logbook and a more formal assessment will take place on the final day of the course. Throughout the course there should be a gradual increase in the number of pupils taught.  AOTTs should be given the opportunity to teach a group comprising of between 6-8 swimmers.

Time Allocation

15 hours theoretical content. 9 hours practical content to include:
- TOP Sport Swimming
- Practical application of Health and Safety provision
- Development of those skills included in this syllabus
- Working with a group
- Working with different abilities
- A lesson demonstration given by the Tutor

NB The exact detail of what is covered in the practical session will be decided through consultation between the Course Tutor and the Course Organiser.  Flexibility is allowed to increase the amount of practical activity and thus reducing the 15 hours theoretical content.

All administration will be through the ASA Workforce Development office

Level of Responsibility

This certificate will equip an AOTT to take a group* of children under the guidance of a more qualified teacher (see Role).
* The number in the group is determined by the ability of the swimmer and industry recommendation related to teacher ratio as stated in the publication ‘Safe Supervision for the Teaching and Coaching of Swimming’ (see note 10).

Supplementary Notes

The teaching of swimming in schools is often carried out by a number of different parties.  Experience would suggest that the most successful programmes are those where a fully qualified swimming teacher works closely with a qualified classroom teacher or qualified AOTT although in some instances the classroom teacher or AOTT may also be a qualified swimming teacher.  Therefore, it is recommended that where this relationship is well established there is great value in both parties (AOTT and Swimming Teacher) attending this workshop.  This will help to facilitate the sharing of ideas and expertise and will help to build on the strength of both parties.  The requirement to hold the ASA Level 2 Certificate for the Teaching of Swimming applies only to swimming teachers (not DfES qualified) who deliver swimming to primary schools.

The ASA has been recognised by the Professional Development Board for Physical Education as a licensed provider of CPD, providing CPD opportunities for school teachers. In addition the ASA National Curriculum Training Programme has been kite marked by the Professional Development Board as being of high quality and appropriate to primary school teachers delivering the swimming component of the National Curriculum.

Delivery of the course syllabus will be planned by the Course Tutor following consultation with the Course Organiser.

Additional Recommended Reacing (not provided as part of the course)

 - Swimming, Teaching and Coaching Level 1  (ASA)
 - National Curriculum Resource Pack    (ASA)
 - National Plan for Teaching Swimming – Module 2 (ASA)
  (Non-swimmer, Beginner & Improver 1)
 - Safe Supervision for Teaching & Coaching   (ISRM)