Swimming Teacher
Also advertised as: Aquatics Teacher, Learn to Swim Teacher, Swim Instructor, Swimming Coach, Swimming Teacher
Teaches children and adults to swim safely, from beginners to improvers.
What the job involves
Swimming teachers plan and deliver lessons to groups or individuals, building water confidence and stroke technique while keeping safety the top priority at all times. Most teachers work part-time hours around school and leisure centre timetables, often across several venues. A recognised teaching qualification and current lifesaving skills are required.
Typical responsibilities
- Plan and deliver swimming lessons by ability level
- Assess pupil progress against national swimming awards
- Maintain pool-side safety and supervision
- Communicate with parents on progress
- Support gala or aquatic events
Common employers
- Leisure centres
- Swimming schools
- Schools
- Hotels with pools
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£17,000 – £21,000 a year
With experience
£21,000 – £27,000 a year
Typical hours
Part-time and evening/weekend heavy, often across multiple venues
Working environment
Poolside, warm and humid
Remote working
on_site
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Teaching and coaching
- Water safety awareness
- Patience
- Communication
- Lesson planning
Transferable skills you may already have
- Swimming or lifeguarding experience
- Working with children
- Coaching
Requirements employers ask for
- Teaching and coaching
- Water safety awareness
- Patience
- Communication
- Lesson planning
- Swim England or equivalent Swimming Teacher qualification
- Enhanced DBS check
- Swim England Level 1 or 2 Swimming Teacher award
Useful but not essential
- Swimming or lifeguarding experience
- Working with children
- Coaching
- National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification
Helpful qualifications
- National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification
Licences and checks
- Swim England Level 1 or 2 Swimming Teacher award
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- Community Activator Coach (Level 2)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: PE and sport
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Swimming Teacher
next
Aquatics Coordinator
next
Swim School Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Rewarding to see pupils learn a life skill
- Flexible hours can suit other commitments
- Demand is consistent year round
What people find hard
- Often part-time with variable hours
- Poolside environment can be tiring on the voice and joints
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a swimming teacher?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a swimming teacher earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £17,000 to £21,000 a year, rising towards £27,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Swimming or lifeguarding experience, Working with children, Coaching.
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Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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