STA is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with CoverMe, an innovative App that has been designed to revolutionise swimming teacher recruitment and cover management for swim school operators.

In an industry where securing swimming teacher cover, especially at short notice, is often time-consuming and challenging, CoverMe provides a practical digital solution that streamlines the process, enables real-time recruitment, and ensures compliance – all while saving operators time and money. This partnership reinforces STA’s commitment to helping swim schools access innovative digital solutions that drive efficiency and success.

For swim school operators, CoverMe also offers exclusive discounts. STA members can benefit from 10% off monthly fees, 20% off annual fees, and 50% off onboarding costs as part of this partnership.

Swimming teachers can also take advantage of CoverMe’s career-enhancing discounts and offers. It is free to sign up, and in support STA will be promoting CoverMe on its free job site which you can find here.

As the name suggests, CoverMe simplifies cover management, saving swim schools significant time and costs in finding swimming teachers. CoverMe research shows that operators spend between four to eight hours per week arranging cover, equating to approximately £5,200 in staff costs per year per site. Multi-site operators report even greater time losses.

By automating the process, CoverMe reduces this workload, allowing managers to focus on running their programmes.

Aligned with this, cancellations due to unavailable cover remain a major challenge, with some swim schools losing up to 20% of their income each week. This also contributes to a growing backlog of participants waiting for lessons. By connecting operators with qualified teachers in real time, CoverMe helps keep lessons running smoothly.

Recruitment is an additional industry-wide concern, with 88% of swim school operators reporting difficulties in hiring teachers, as reported in the State Of The UK Fitness Industry Report 2024. CoverMe’s smart matching system identifies professionals based on qualifications and availability, making it easier for swim schools to fill roles and grow their learn to swim programmes.

Another standout feature of the digital platform is its ability to ensure that all registered swimming teachers are fully qualified with a recognised Awarding Organisation, and hold personal insurance, helping swim schools maintain the highest industry standards. STA’s Commercial Director, Zoe Cooper, emphasised the importance of this, especially as insurance is included as standard within STA’s membership package.

Zoe said,

“CoverMe’s verification system gives swim schools complete confidence that every teacher they hire meets professional requirements. By digitising qualification and insurance checks, CoverMe keeps credentials up to date and easily accessible, enhancing efficiency and ensuring compliance.”

Underpinning all of this, the app also provides a secure alternative to unregulated communication platforms like WhatsApp, which pose data security risks and are not GDPR-compliant. In 2023, a WhatsApp data breach exposed over 84 million emails and mobile numbers. CoverMe ensures swim schools can coordinate staffing securely while protecting personal data.

Dave Candler, STA’s CEO, added:

“This exciting new partnership with CoverMe marks a significant step forward in supporting swim schools and swimming teachers with the long-standing challenges around staffing and recruitment. By helping operators secure qualified cover more efficiently, it will mean fewer cancelled lessons and greater access to swimming lessons. This will help ensure more participants can learn this essential life skill, in line with STA’s charitable objective.”

Lou Crossland, Chief Commercial Officer, CoverMe, said: “The nationwide shortage of swimming teachers is an ongoing challenge and the swimming industry is in urgent need of a digital solution to streamline staffing. We are delighted to partner with the STA to deliver a solution that helps resolve these challenges.”

For more information on how STA members can benefit from this partnership, visit the partner page here!