Swimming Australia supports primary schools to source their own program providers to deliver their Sporting Schools program, as there is a broad range of swimming and water safety programs across Australia.
GoSwim
Swimming Australia believe that every child should be provided the opportunity to take part in swimming and water safety programs that are inclusive and provide a balanced approach to the delivery of water safety, personal survival and swimming education.
There are a diverse range of swimming and water safety program providers across Australia. To ensure that primary schools select the appropriate swimming and water safety programs for their students, Swimming Australia recommends that schools check the requirements for delivering swimming and aquatics programs through their State or Territory Education Departments outlined in the ‘Who can deliver’ section.
Swimming Australia also has a national partnership with Belgravia Leisure to deliver the GoSwim for Kids program at Belgravia Leisure swim schools across Australia. This program can also be delivered as part of the Sporting Schools program. More information on this program visit the GoSwim website.
View a list of swim schools, clubs and facilities that can potentially provide school swimming and water safety programs.
Supervision
All swimming coaches, swimming and water safety teachers and primary school teachers delivering the Sporting Schools program will need to follow the recommended guidelines for delivering aquatic programs:
| Age Group | Swim Australia and AUSTSWIM Guidelines |
|---|---|
| Beginners - Little or no experience. | 1 swimming and water safety teacher: 10 students |
| Intermediate - Basic skills and can swim 25m of a recognisable stroke. | 1 swimming and water safety teacher: 12 students |
| Advanced - Can swim 50m using at least one recognisable stroke. | 1 swimming and water safety teacher: 15 students |
Please note: Ratios are different for open water swimming
Cost
Swimming program costs will vary depending on the requirements of the primary school and program providers. The following program aspects may be covered by the Sporting Schools grant:
- Program delivery costs - these costs will be dependent on the coach or swim school. Costs may be charged at a fixed rate for the session or per participant.
- Pool entry costs - primary schools that do not have their own pool may cover pool entry fees for program participants.
- Transport costs - primary schools that do not have their own pool may cover transport costs.
Teachers
Primary school teachers who would like to deliver a swimming and water safety program should first check the requirements for delivering programs through their State or Territory Education Department outlined below:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Swimming Australia encourages teachers to explore development opportunities and recommends the Swim Australia Teacher course or the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety (or equivalent) as a minimum standard. More information on these courses.
Primary school teachers may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning to contribute to the Swim Teacher courses.
Coaches
Coaches interested in supporting primary schools to deliver a school swimming program can contact schools to explore opportunities to assist with program delivery.
To become a coach and deliver swimming in Sporting Schools please ensure you are working towards the following requirements:
- Be aged 16 years or over
- Hold a current Working With Children Check
- Confirm adequacy of insurance
- Hold a Swim Australia Teacher accreditation; or
- AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety accreditation (or equivalent)
Find more information on these courses.
Coaching Providers
Swim schools and aquatic centres may be contacted by their local school to deliver the Sporting Schools program. All swim schools and aquatic centres can deliver swimming and water safety programs as part of the Sporting Schools program as long as program coaches or swimming and water safety teachers meet the minimum standards and the programs also meet requirements of State and Territory Education Departments.
Requirements for delivering programs through State or Territory Education Departments outlined below:
Swimming Australia
Email: sporting.schools@swimming.org.au
Phone: (03) 9910 0700
Website: www.swimming.org.au