ABOUT

About Affiliation

Swim England is the official national governing body for swimming and other aquatic sports in England — responsible for setting standards, supporting clubs and schools, and overseeing safe, effective aquatic activity nationally.

Affiliation to Swim England means that a school or organisation (for example an independent school with a swim programme or club) formally registers/joins with Swim England and agrees to operate under its governance framework, rules, policies and standards.

Governance: What Swim England Requires

When an organisation affiliates, it commits to adhering to Swim England’s minimum governance standards.

This typically includes:

Adopting and following a constitution or governance framework that aligns with Swim England’s expectations (clear roles, democratic decision‑making etc.).
Safeguarding commitments, including child protection policies in line with Swim England’s guidelines (e.g., Wavepower).
Ensuring qualified staff and volunteers — coaches and teachers have appropriate qualifications and DBS checks as required.
Risk assessment and safety procedures that protect participants and ensure sessions are run safely.
Annual compliance evidence — many affiliated bodies must provide evidence each year to maintain affiliation (e.g., governance compliance, safeguarding, training records).
This governance framework gives Swim England insight and assurance that affiliated providers meet consistent standards.

What It Means for Independent Schools

For a private or independent school that runs a swimming club or programme, affiliating to Swim England means:

Alignment to Recognised Standards - Your swim provision is formally recognised as meeting national standards for safety, governance and coaching.
Access to Resources, Support & Pathways - Being affiliated unlocks access to resources such as governance tools, coach training, safeguarding support, competition pathways and Swim England networks.
Credibility & Assurance - It signals to parents, students and staff that your swim programme complies with nationally accepted best practices in governance and safety.
Competitive & Development Opportunities - Affiliation enables your students to compete in official Swim England competitions, including County, Regional, and National Championships - directly alongside and against swimmers from established competitive swimming clubs. This opens up a formal pathway for athlete development, talent identification, and progression in the sport, giving your school the opportunity to participate at the same level as the broader club network.
Insurance & Protection - Affiliated bodies often benefit from access to group insurance and institutional support mechanisms offered through Swim England membership benefits.

Summary

Swim England affiliation connects your school’s swim programme to the national governing body, aligning it with the highest standards in safety, coaching, and competition.

For independent schools, it’s a strategic step forward — enhancing your existing provision and placing it within the same framework as top competitive clubs. It signals to parents and stakeholders that your programme meets national expectations and offers students access to structured development and the opportunity to compete at County, Regional, and National levels.