Affiliation Pricing & Service Tiers
Value Alignment for Bursars
Across all tiers, the cost of affiliation support is typically offset by:
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Recruitment or retention of 1–2 pupils per year
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Reduced reliance on paid marketing
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Improved scholarship outcomes and destination narratives
Schools may start at any tier and progress over time as ambition and capacity increase.
Tier 1: Foundation Affiliation
Indicative Investment:
Set-up: £3,000–£5,000
Annual support: £2,000–£3,000
Primary Value:
Rapid entry into the licensed swimming ecosystem with minimal operational burden.
Best suited for:
Schools new to Swim England affiliation or seeking baseline credibility and compliance
Core Objectives:
- Achieve Swim England affiliation efficiently and compliantly
- Enable initial access to licensed competitions
- Establish governance and safeguarding foundations
Included Services:
- Initial programme and facility review
- Guidance on appropriate Swim England affiliation model
- Completion and submission of all affiliation documentation
- Governance and Wavepower compliance support
- Initial competition entry guidance
- Initial competition onsite guidance and support / Team Manager
- One planning meeting with Director of Sport
Tier 2: Performance Affiliation
Indicative Investment:
Set-up: £5,000–£7,000
Annual support: £4,000–£6,000
Primary Value:
Consistent external visibility and measurable performance outcomes that support admissions and reputation.
Best suited for:
Schools seeking regular licensed competition, recruitment impact, and performance progression
Core Objectives:
- Build a visible, credible swimming performance pathway
- Maximise value from county and regional licensed competition
- Support recruitment and retention through results and visibility
Included Services:
- All Foundation services
- Annual competition planning
- Ongoing governance and compliance oversight (SwimMark Accreditation)
- Support with licensed meet entries (inc county & regional)
- Termly review with sports leadership
- Support with swimming specific Teamwear Sourcing
Tier 3: Flagship Partnership
Indicative Investment:
Set-up: £8,000–£12,000
Annual support: £6,000–£10,000
Primary Value:
Consistent external visibility and measurable performance outcomes that support admissions and reputation.
Best suited for:
Schools seeking regular licensed competition, recruitment impact, and performance progression
Core Objectives:
- Build a visible, credible swimming performance pathway
- Maximise value from county and regional licensed competition
- Support recruitment and retention through results and visibility
Included Services:
- All Performance services
- Strategic programme design and growth planning
- Support to host Swim England licensed competitions
- Enhanced marketing and communications guidance linked to results
- Alignment with performance partners (e.g. teamwear, branding)
- Senior leadership briefings (Head / Bursar / Governors)