Aims

The main aims of the NFS are:

1. To licence swimming tuition providers through a process of initial assessment and periodic review to ensure achievement of defined best practice standards.
2. To promote recognition, to the public and the pool operators, of the need to ensure that swimming teaching is only undertaken by those whose delivery and operations meet the laid down standard.
3. To promote higher standards of swimming tuition delivery and operation through education, mentoring and support, with the aim that within a given time frame, all SwimSchools will operate at the highest standards and be licensed.
4. To provide a forum for all swimming tuition providers to have a free interchange of ideas and thereby improve standards of delivery and operation.
5. To provide a coherent voice of the professional licensed operators to influence national policies relating to swimming teaching delivery and associated activities.

Sport England, the strategic lead for sport in England, is working to increase both participation and sporting success, and welcomes any initiative that raises standards in the provision of sporting opportunities. A safe environment with high standards of teaching will provide better opportunities and so encourage more people to swim.

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England

Membership

Will be open to all organisations and facilities where swimming teaching takes place, including:

• SwimSchools
• Swimming Clubs
• State Schools
• Independent Schools
• Local Authorities
• Local Authority Contractors
• Local Education Authorities
• Leisure Organisations and Trusts
• Hotels and leisure groups, where swimming is not a principal activity.

There will be 2 categories of membership:

1. Licensed. These members will have been assessed against, and met, the STAmark quality standards. Licensed membership will be limited to 2 years and will be renewed only when the STAmark is renewed following reassessment. Licensed members will have full voting rights.

2. Associate. These members will sign to undertake that all of their swimming and aquatic teachers are qualified to a nationally recognised standard and will commit to working towards the STAmark quality standards within 2 years. Associate members will not have any voting rights and will be excluded from membership if they fail to be assessd to STAmark quality standards within 2 years.

Quality Mark Standard

STAmark has been developed as a Quality Award to help SwimSchools, and similar organisations that teach swimming, to improve the quality of service standards and to recognise good industry practice.

It is the only nationally recognised quality mark that externally validates and recognises safe practices and standards in SwimSchools and similar operations.

The Award has been designed to support continuous improvement and is underpinned by a series of key principles including;

•  A framework for sustaining continuous improvement
•  Recognition of good industry practice
•  Self-assessment as a 'tool' for service improvement
•  A sector specific standard leading to industry endorsement of the SwimSchool.

STAmark will be the initial Quality Mark for entry as a Licensed member of the NFS. The Board of Directors of NFS will decide, in due course, if any other quality marks will be accepted.

Improving the quality of provision in the sport and recreation sector is firmly supported by SkillsActive. The NFS, in creating a self support network where best practice can be shared, is a welcome development and it is underpinned by the STAmark set of national standards. This accreditation scheme is set out in a clear and understandable manner, and SwimSchools and Clubs that embrace and support its principles will provide a quality experience that can only benefit participants and encourage them to remain active in their chosen sport or activity.

Steve Studd, Chief Executive of SkillsActive

SUPPORTED BY:

Although over recent years there has been a reduction in fatalities, drowning remains the 3rd largest cause of accidental death to children in the UK.

Children can benefit enormously from learning to swim and being confident in and around water. Exposing babies to water early is to be encouraged. Contact with water encourages the desire to swim and reduces the chance of a child developing a fear of water. However, it is important that this teaching process is done correctly.

RoSPA believes that teaching water safety awareness is an integral part of swimming tuition provision. The aim of the NFS to promote higher standards of swimming tuition, should increase water safety awareness and thus play a part in reducing deaths by drowning.

Peter Cornall, Head of Water and Leisure Safety, RoSPA
24th August 2004

STAmark has been endorsed by the Institute of Leisure & Amenity Management (ILAM) in recognition of the STA's commitment to raising professional standards within the management and operation of swimming schools.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The level of annual subscriptions will be decided by the Board of the NFS, for the first year this has been set at £50.

JOINING FEE

There is a joining fee of £15.00.

Benefits of membership of the NFS

Insurance - The NFS have negotiated a special insurance rate which provides a comprehensive package for swimming school operators.

Marketing - Our web site will contain a searchable list of approved swimming schools, together with key benefits to the public of using an STAmark SwimSchool licensed with the NFS. The NFS will also be widely and strongly promoted through its close association with the STA, Sport England, SkillsActive, Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management, RoSPA and other professional bodies.

Influencing policy - As the only organisation that is solely dedicated to representing SwimSchools in the UK the NFS will endeavour to influence key decision making policy at all levels; through government nationally or locally, and wherever the opportunity to protect and promote our interests arises.

SPECIALISMS

Within the NFS, it is anticipated that specialist groups will be set up e.g. Baby SwimSchools, Special Needs Clubs and Lifesaving.

Join NOW

To join the NFS please download and complete our application form or contact the NFS on:

Tel - 01922 645097 Fax - 01922 720628 or email us here.