News & Updates

STA is pleased to announce the launch of the new STA Level 2 Award in Aquacise qualification.

As part of Safety Training Awards’ (STA) ongoing commitment to creating high quality professional qualifications which meet the needs of the industry, employers, and learners, STA is extremely proud to launch this new qualification.

The qualification aims to train learners to plan, instruct and evaluate fun, motivating and inclusive aquacise classes to participants.

The new STA Level 2 Award in Aquacise qualification has been endorsed against the CIMSPA Core Group Exercise Instructor professional standard. This endorsement is recognition from the sector’s chartered institute that the STA Award in Aquacise qualification is a professional qualification that meets the needs of employers.

The qualification consists of 3 mandatory units:

• Unit 1: Understanding Anatomy and Physiology in Relation to Exercise
• Unit 2: Understand the Scientific Principles and Safety Requirements Relevant to Aquatic Exercise
• Unit 3: Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of an Aquacise Instructor in Planning, Delivering and Evaluating an Aquacise Session.

Learners must have independently completed Unit 1 and Unit 2 via pre-course online programmes prior to attending an STA Award in Aquacise course. Tutors must obtain evidence of completion of the STA pre-course online programmes in the form of certificates which must be retained by the Approved Training Centre (ATC) for quality assurance purposes.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can be applied for the pre-course online programmes depending on a learner’s qualification. For example, if a learner holds a CIMSPA endorsed Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction / Gym / Exercise to Music qualification and / or STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming / STA Level 2 Award in Aquatic Teaching – Baby and Pre-School, STA will recognise prior learning for one or both of the pre-course programmes. RPL is only available for the online programmes. ATCs must gain copies of the qualification certificate and ensure they are accepted before RPL is approved. Copies of certificates must be retained by the Approved Training Centre for quality assurance purposes. Should RPL be applied, learners must complete all hours of the tutor led course and assessment.

The new resources include:

• STA Award in Aquacise Resource Manual
• Learner Portfolio
• Assessment Strategy
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Tutor Assessed Skills Sheet
• MCQ Assessment Papers
• Suggested Timetable
• Qualification Specification.

The resource manual has been created into a high-quality book-bound printed manual featuring a vibrant new design and easy-to-follow chapter layout. The resource manual is available now within the STA Swim Shop in e-manual or hard copy format.

To deliver the new STA Award in Aquacise qualification, tutors must complete the FREE online STA Award in Aquacise Tutor Upskill programme. The upskill holds a CPD value of ½ point and includes information on the course content, resources, and assessment requirements. It is recommended IQAs who wish to IQA the qualification complete the upskill. It would also benefit ATC co-ordinators.

The new resources and assessment materials must be used when delivering the new STA Award in Aquacise qualification.

STA Swimming Teacher Code of Practice has also been updated to include the addition of the new Award in Aquacise qualification and can now be downloaded from STA Online.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.