As of September 2009 the ASA’s ‘quality mark’ became the swim21 scheme. swim21 accreditation replaced Aquamark, the previous accreditation scheme for providers of swimming programmes.
Aquamark had been a valuable tool to help outline what a good swimming programme should look like but Aquamark Accredited centres, Aquamark assessors, leisure contractors, member swim schools and ASA staff all expressed a need to update the programme and give more support to those involved in the programme.
The ASA already operates a successful swim21 Club Accreditation model and a review of the Aquamark scheme showed there would be benefits of amalgamating the ‘quality mark’ schemes under one umbrella.
This makes it easier for the ASA to signpost parents to an accredited centre, as well as ensuring clubs, leisure operators and swim schools can work in partnership through self assessment and accreditation.
What are the main differences between swim21 accreditation and Aquamark?
Aquamark contained 150-plus elements (which contained much duplication). swim21 Learn to Swim/School Swimming Accreditation has 56 elements that reduce the self assessment length, paperwork, time commitment and assessment length but actually drive-up the quality by aligning it to the ASA’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming, Long Term Athlete Development and UKCC qulaifications.