Marie, 57, is an Institute of Swimming tutor responsible for training the next generation of swimming teachers. Marie is passionate about coaching and ensuring that everyone, including those with special educational needs, has the same access and opportunities for learning, regardless of background and traditional academic qualifications.

Living just 400 metres from the beach in Fleetwood, Lancashire, her comprehensive career in leisure began during her college days in Barnsley, where she first worked as a lifeguard and swimming teacher. She explains:

“At 18, my dream of joining the police force was crushed by a now dated and seemingly arbitrary requirement that female recruits had to be at least 5 feet 10 inches tall. Standing just one inch short at 5 feet 9 inches, I found myself having to rethink my career, and I redirected my ambitions to my natural strengths in sport and leisure, having played hockey for South Yorkshire and swimming competitively for Sheffield.”

From teaching swimming, Marie moved into health club and leisure management roles and held positions for both local authority and private sector operators, including Bury Council, the Village Hotel Group, Lancashire Raquet Club and Salford Community Leisure.

In 2019 Marie also qualified as a Swim England tutor, giving her the opportunity to combine her extensive industry experience with her passion for education and people development. She now runs her own training business and delivers a wide range of courses across the country, including first aid and mental health first aid, alongside tutoring for the Institute of Swimming.

Marie says:

“Tutoring for the Institute of Swimming has allowed me to influence and shape the next generation of swimming professionals, and I absolutely love it! What I enjoy most is recognising that traditional educational models don't work for everyone. This has led me to develop innovative teaching methods that can accommodate different learning styles, personalities, experiences and demographics.

“I regularly meet students who describe themselves as ‘not very bright’ because they didn't succeed in more traditional school settings. Yet these same individuals often become some of my most successful swimming teachers.

“The flexibility of the Institute of Swimming’s blended learning has changed accessibility to swimming teacher training. I can now deliver courses to students anywhere in the country, as students can complete the theory components online when it suits their schedules, without worrying about childcare or extensive travel costs. It makes professional development accessible to so many more people.

“My commitment to inclusive learning goes far beyond simply delivering course content. I proactively reach out to each student before courses begin, gathering information about any conditions or learning differences that might affect their experience. This allows me to tailor my teaching methods to individual needs - whether that’s creating waterproof prompt cards for students with short-term memory or providing additional one-to-one support sessions for those who need extra guidance.

“My experience with students who have SEN, such as dyslexia and ADHD, as well as those who may lack in confidence, has reinforced my belief that swimming teaching can attract individuals who may not always thrive in more academic environments but still possess other valuable qualities. These practical learners often struggle with desk-based roles but excel in the hands-on, people-focused environment of pool-side teaching. My role becomes not just about imparting technical knowledge but about rebuilding confidence and demonstrating that there are alternative pathways to success.”

Marie says many of her learners arrive on her courses having had negative educational experiences, carrying beliefs about their own capabilities that limit their potential:

“Through positive, supportive tutoring experiences, I can help rebuild their confidence and open their minds to possibilities they hadn't previously considered. Even if learners eventually move away from swimming teaching, they carry with them the transferable skills and renewed self-confidence gained from their training experience.”

Find out more about Swimming Teacher courses.