How to determine learner to teacher ratios in programmed sessions

GUIDANCE 

What are learner-to-teacher ratios?

How many learners each swim/class instructor can supervise in a programmed session is set out in a learner-to-teacher (LT) ratio (Swim England et al., 2017a). 

In my view, the concept should be broadened to include all instructors in programmed sessions and the number of persons they can be responsible for (IP ratio). This would permit a change in the language from "learner" (excludes, e.g. aqua fit participants) to "persons".

Why do we have LT ratios, and how are they created?

LT ratios are important because the instructor's principal method of supervision is head counting, and larger group sizes increase the time it takes to complete the head count. 

They can also make it more difficult to keep track of pupils who leave the session for toilet breaks, to fetch belongings due to injury, or to leave the session early.  

An LT ratio should be chosen based on the following factors: 

• The likelihood a pupil will need to leave the session. 
• The likelihood a pupil will need to leave the poolside during the session. 
• The age and maturity of the participants. 
• Their height and whether they can stand comfortably in the water. 
• Their swimming ability, water safety awareness, and water confidence. 
• Any additional needs that place the participants at greater risk. 
• The competency and confidence of the teacher.

What LT ratio should I have in place? 

Unless otherwise specified, the following ratios are set out primarily in Safe Supervision (Swim England et al., 2017a). 

1:1 upwards

• Swimmers with special educational needs or disabilities. 

1:6  

• Children between 3.5 and 5 years old. 
• When teaching from in the water (although Swim England's position is 1:1 or 1:2).  

10:1

• Diving training

12:1

• Teaching beginners swimming (cannot swim 25 metres in a recognised stroke). 
• Adult and child class (with an accompanying parent over 16 years old, see HSG179:2018 para 69 and CIMSPA, 2014).  

20:1

• Teaching mixed ability groups swimming. 
• Teaching improving swimmers to swim (can swim 25 metres in a recognised stroke). 
• Teaching diving drills on the poolside. 
• Teaching synchronised swimming. 
• Fitness class delivery in shallow water (<1.5 metres).

30:1

• Fitness class delivery in deep water (>1.5 metres). 
• Coaching competitive swimmers. 

References

CIMSPA. 2014. GN014 Parental and operator guidance for child supervision policies in swimming pools.

HSG179:2018. Health and safety in swimming pools. HSE, 4th edition. 

Swim England et al. 2017a. Safe supervision of programmed training and swimming sessions. 3rd edition. 

Swim England. 2017b. Teaching in the water and the handling of children. 28 June. 

Citation: Jacklin, D. 2021. Determining learner-to-teacher ratios in programmed sessions. Water Incident Research Hub, 31 December.