Introducing the Quality Swim School (QSS) initiative, developed by Swimming New Zealand in partnership with Swimming Coaches and Teachers of New Zealand Inc.
There's no doubt about it - we all want to improve the image and services of learning to swim and swim schools in New Zealand. The advantages are significant: higher standards of swimming tuition, recognised, accountable standards for good industry practice, improved professional status for swim coaches and teachers, validated safe learn to swim methods and standards that deliver and demonstrate best practice in Learn to Swim provision.
Our customers will have peace of mind that their swim school conforms to a nationally recognised standard, providing them with excellent teaching practices in a safe environment. The result will be a quality experience that benefits everyone and helps to keep everyone swimming for longer. Click
here to view the first QSS Public Awareness flier.
Quality Swim Schools have had a very successful first year with 90 swim schools joining the initiative. The QSS Update newsletter here shows examples of some of the exposure and brand profiling achieved during the year.
Quality Swim School is the industry bench mark for defined best practice standards in our swim teaching industry. Within the next two years we aim to encourage every swim school in New Zealand to become a registered Quality Swim School. We make no apologies for setting the standards high and we intend to adhere to these standards. But we will not be working on this in isolation. Registered Quality Swim School operators will be involved with the formulation of moderation processes and give feedback in order to maintain and improve these standards annually.
Becoming a registered Quality Swim School
To recieve a Self Assessment Pack for your Swim School click
here.
The process includes:
Completing the Self Assessment Questionnaire, together with the Quality Swim School Agreement and return them with the annual fee of $200 (excl GST) = $225 to Swimming New Zealand for assessment and counter signature.
Successful applicants will be notified within 10 days and sent the appropriate certification.
Following Confirmation of Registration
Marketing collateral will be sent to your swim school.
Including, door stickers, posters and electronic art work and an electronic copy of a letter from Commonwealth record holder Moss Burmester to distribute to your swimmers. Click
here to view the QSS Poster Series.
Who qualifies for Quality Swim School status?
Any Swim School that completes the Quality Swim School Self Assessment Form and scores in excess of 95 points over the seven sections, as well as attaining the minimum requirement for each individual section, qualifies for QSS status. Any swim school interested in being involved but who do not achieve the required 95 points may apply to Swimming New Zealand for assistance.
The Quality Swim Schools independent audit process is completed by the Swimming New Zealand Regional Education Managers with all registered Quality Swim Schools on an annual basis. The Education Advisory Committee (Ally Todd (chair) Alex Calwell, Steven Lindsay, Jill Clarke and Brett Naylor) have confirmed the audit process.
Annually, the registered Quality Swim Schools will meet to discuss and moderate this process.
Quality
Swim
School
membership is for a one-year period after which biannual membership applies. Membership is renewed only if the swim school meets the required standard.
Who can apply for Quality Swim School status?
Any organisation where swim teaching or coaching takes place:
The Quality Swim School award mark
The Quality Swim School mark is developed as the national mark for swim school best practice. Only those schools who comply can be awarded and can carry the Quality Swim School mark. Over the next year it will be actively promoted by Swimming New Zealand and Swim Coaches and Teachers of New Zealand Inc, so that stakeholders and the public can instantly recognise the value this mark brings to a swim school. We will be encouraging consumers to search for swim schools with the Quality Swim School mark.
