There are very few schools that actually are a RLSS ATC. This means we can train our own lifeguards here. It also means we can train our staff in aquatic rescue skills which in the past they had to do elsewhere. The staff here take the RLSS National Rescue Test for Teachers & Coaches which is renewable every 2 years. The College RLSS Trainer/Assessor for the courses that are run here is Mrs Sue Kay. The lifeguard qualification is a professional one, National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), involving 39 hours of training with an examination at the end of the course which is conducted by external RLSS assessors. The course is made up of a water skills section, cardio pulmonary resucitation (CPR) first aid and the theory that applies to all of these. The qualification is recognised abroad as well so very useful for gap years & working overseas. As a life skill this is an impressive qualification to have on a CV. Students must be 16 years of age prior to starting the training. The NPLQ is valid for 2 years & renewable at the end of that period. A minimum of 20 hours ongoing logged training is required in that period before the qualification expires. At the College the already trained lifeguard students (of which we have over 40 at the moment) have the opportunity to train every other week to keep their skills current. Our student NPLQ's (along with a member of staff) regularly act as lifeguards at boarders swimming sessions at our pool, an important part of pastoral care, interaction & responsibilty development. Courses are run every term over 8 weeks extra-curricular in the evenings with an additional summer holiday course that is run as an intensive 5 day course. The pass rate here has been very good so far - 100%!! Every year the College as an Approved Training Centre is externally verified by IQL the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards, which is a professional body of the RLSS. Last year the College got 100%. It is hoped that the College can become a Centre of Excellence status for the College in the next few years!
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