Hundreds of learner swimmers across Cornwall are set to benefit from improved swimming provision with the introduction of a pioneering new swim academy from STA, the world’s largest swimming teaching and lifesaving organisation.

Tempus Leisure, the organisation that manages leisure services on behalf of Cornwall Council, will be working in partnership with STA, to launch the academy model at four centres, initially, from November 2013.

Named the STA Tempus Swim Academy, the programme will start at Polkyth Leisure Centre; Dragon Leisure Centre in Bodmin; Phoenix Leisure Centre in Launceston; and Wadebridge Leisure Centre in November 2013, and aims to raise standards of swim teaching across the county by introducing a single teaching system and a standardised programme for swimming lessons.

The Academy, the first to benefit from STA’s recently re-launched International Learn-to-Swim Programme (ILSP), will be launched next at Bude Splash in January 2014.

The STA Tempus Swim Academy will launch officially on November 11, which will coincide with the new block of swimming lessons at Polkyth, Bodmin, Launceston and Wadebridge, and lessons will be available for 50 weeks of the year.

Through ILSP, learners will be awarded at every level of progress with STA’s newly designed colourful certificates and badges. Children who enrol into the Academy will also be given a Success Tracker so they can follow their own progress.

Each leisure centre will initially launch with STA’s Goldfish, Angelfish, Octopus learn to swim awards for children aged 5 years upwards, while there are plans to introduce the STAnley series for pre-schoolers.

As the Academy grows, the programme will also extend into baby swimming and lifesaving lessons for older children.

Theo Millward, STA’s Operations Director, said that the Academy is a proven swim model, and will result in improved swimming provision.

“The successes of our other academies speak for themselves so we are very excited to launch this brand new programme in Cornwall, which will become the biggest STA Swim Academy yet,” said Theo.

“In a coastal county like Cornwall, it is absolutely essential that children learn to swim. Our tried and tested swim programmes will ensure they become confident swimmers who know how to stay safe in and around water so they can enjoy all the aquatic activities that the county has to offer.”

Welcoming the launch of the new academy programme, Simon Dixon, Leisure Facilities Manager at Tempus Leisure, said: “We are really pleased to be launching the STA Tempus Swim Academy across our leisure sites with the support and expertise of STA.”

“The professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment that STA has brought has been impressive as we look to improve the swimming offer within our facilities.”

For further information, Dale Taylor, STA’s Swim Academy Co-ordinator will be hosting parent information clinics at each leisure centre during October. Dale will also be touring the county over the coming months with STA’s friendly mascot, STAnley, to promote the importance of learning to swim and water safety.

For further information visit www.tempusleisure.org.uk.