Everyone Active, the charitable leisure trust operating across the UK, has attained Swim England’s prestigious Learn to Swim Accreditation for all 140 of its leisure centres.
This accreditation, awarded for a two-year period, marks a decade of consistent recognition for the trust in delivering Swim England’s Learn to Swim programme in partnership with over 65 local authorities nationwide.
The accreditation is a testament to Everyone Active’s commitment to governance, sustainability, and effectiveness in operating swim schools.
It not only validates their operational standards but also enhances the visibility of their Learn to Swim programme within local communities.
Accredited organisations receive a certificate, personalised plaque, and the Swim England Accredited Provider logo to prominently display and use in promotional materials.
Currently, Everyone Active boasts more than 3,600 swim teachers certified to Swim England’s Level 2 through the Institute of Swimming.
These instructors lead over 25,000 swim classes weekly, serving a student base exceeding 180,000.
The trust maintains a policy of no waiting lists by ensuring classes have available spaces, facilitating new children to join seamlessly.
The assessment for Swim England’s Learn to Swim Accreditation is managed by Right Directions, a health and safety and quality management company, on behalf of Swim England.
It evaluates critical business areas including business development, workforce development, health and safety compliance, customer satisfaction, and programme delivery standards.
Everyone Active engages in both standalone assessments and those integrated into Sport England’s quality assurance mark, Quest.
Sarah Lobo, Head of External Accreditations at Right Directions, commented on Everyone Active’s achievement: “This is a fantastic achievement for Everyone Active.
Every two years 20 per cent of their sites must be rigorously assessed by our team in order to achieve accreditation nationally; it’s a big commitment.
We select facilities from all regions, as well as sites from any new contracts they have gained in the previous two years, to guarantee good representation from across the country and ensure all sites are up to Everyone Active’s high standards.
If just one site doesn’t pass the assessment then all 140 leisure centres fail. To have held the accreditation since 2016 shows Everyone Active’s utmost dedication to delivering the best possible Learn to Swim experience.”
Ian Cotton, Group Aquatic & Activity Manager at Everyone Active, expressed pride in the accreditation: “We’re proud to have achieved Learn to Swim accreditation at all our swimming facilities.
This achievement is recognition of the hard work and dedication of our fantastic colleagues across the country.
“Independent verification of our standard processes and procedures through the Swim England accreditation is an important element of us maintaining a high-quality scheme.
Swim lessons are a key part of our business, and holding the National Governing Body accreditation endorses the great work undertaken by our swim managers and swim teachers.”
Fleur Standen, Technical Aquatics Manager at Swim England, emphasized the accreditation’s role in elevating the profile of Learn to Swim programmes and acknowledging excellence in aquatics management: “The Swim England Learn to Swim Accreditation, facilitated through Right Directions, not only raises the profile of the Learn to Swim programme offer at facilities, but also acknowledges the excellence in governance, sustainability, and effectiveness.
It is fantastic to see the amount of Everyone Active sites that have completed the Learn to Swim Accreditation and share their continued commitment to aquatics and their standard of excellence.”