We Teach the Teachers. Aquatics Training Academy.
Is it time for a career change or a new challenge? Have you considered a career in sports teaching/coaching? Or are you looking for help in advancing your teaching career with more qualifications and skills. Edinburgh Leisure offers a wide range of accredited courses and qualifications across all stages of your career.
At Edinburgh Leisure’s Aquatics Training Academy, we are committed to developing the next generation of Swim Teachers and Dive Coaches. Our qualifications are designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in your career. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality training, we provide courses that cater to all stages of your professional development.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your skills with further qualifications, the Aquatics Training Academy offers a comprehensive range of accredited courses to support your journey. Explore our full range of accredited courses and take the next step in your teaching and coaching career today!
Scottish Swimming Teacher Qualification (SSTQ)
The Scottish Swimming Teacher Qualification (SSTQ) is the industry standard for those who wish to teach unsupervised to groups of swimmers with a range of abilities and is essential for seeking employment as a swim teacher.
This qualification is a practically based course and will allow you to gain the necessary skills and experience prior to progressing to an aquatics working environment. It will support your ongoing learning and development ensuring that you are fully prepared to deliver high quality lessons.
This course is taught over 8 days and costs £600.
Scottish Swimming Coaching Qualification (SSCQ) in Diving
We are excited to introduce the new Scottish Swimming Coaching Qualification (SSCQ) in Diving Course, launching in 2025! This new qualification is designed for those looking to develop their skills in dive coaching, providing the expertise needed to train and support divers at various levels.
This course is taught over 8 days and costs £600.
Scottish Swimming Early Childhood Swim Teaching Qualification (SCQ)
This course is designed to enhance knowledge and standardise the delivery of Early Years swim teaching. Learners will explore the fundamental principles of child development while gaining practical teaching techniques, engaging games, and activities to support learning in the aquatic environment.
Through detailed feedback and peer evaluation, participants will refine their skills to deliver high quality swim lessons for young children. Developed in collaboration with child development specialists, the course focuses on creating a fun and supportive aquatic experience while promoting ongoing development.
The course runs over 3 days and costs £250.
Introduction to Swim Teaching Course
In addition to accredited Scottish Swimming courses, the Aquatics Training Academy has also developed its own training courses to further support aspiring swim teachers.
Our Introduction to Swim Teaching is a 2-day course that offers an introduction to the role of a swim teacher, combining practical and classroom learning. Learners will gain insight into teaching responsibilities, working environments, and essential skills to build confidence and experience. Upon completion, we can support participants in finding volunteering opportunities and provide guidance on progressing to the Scottish Swimming Teacher Qualification (SSTQ).
Career Development Courses
The Aquatics Training Academy has also developed several in-house training courses that support the Continuous Personal Development of Swim Teachers and Dive Coaches. These include:
- Additional Support Needs (ASN) CPD – Enhances understanding of impairments, building confidence in adapting swimming techniques for diverse learners.
- Advanced Swim Teachers CPD – Develops skills in managing mixed-ability classes, fault identification, lesson structuring, and advanced observation.
- Lead Teachers CPD – Prepares experienced teachers to mentor and develop new teachers, covering lesson planning, self-reflection, feedback, and conflict resolution.
For further information on all our course offering and our course calendar and details on costs please contact the Aquatics Training Academy ata@edinburghlesiure.co.uk
