Developing future lifeguards: Concord College’s innovative approach to pool safety

As lifeguard shortages persist across the UK, one school addresses the issue, by training its students in the RLSS UK’s National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). The initiative ensures pool safety and equips pupils with valuable skills for their future. 

Concord College in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has just recruited its latest cohort of lifeguards. The eleven students are part of a steady pipeline of NPLQ-trained lifeguards developed by Concord’s Swimming Pool Manager, Julia Kerslake.  

“Since I started managing the Concord swimming pool in 2002, we have trained 220 lifeguards,” she says. “Training student lifeguards with the internationally recognised NPLQ is very important to me and the college. It reflects Concord’s emphasis on health and safety in all that we do. The swimming pool is a huge potential risk in any school, and we must make it as safe as possible for all pool users.” 

NPLQ – a gold-standard qualification 

The NPLQ is the leading lifeguard qualification, with over 42,000 lifeguards qualifying in 2023 alone.  Endorsed by CIMSPA against the occupational Lifeguard Standard and included in the apprenticeship framework, the NPLQ is a Level 3 qualification that now carries UCAS Tariff points, recognising lifeguards’ technical skills and their significant role in helping people enjoy water safely.  

“We are always looking for ways to enhance our students’ educational experience and to equip them well for their life beyond Concord. To leave school with a gold-standard qualification such as this is excellent,” says Kerslake. 

Each October, Kerslake runs a trial to source new lifeguarding talent, open to all students in year 6.1.  

“There are prerequisites for the NPLQ, many of which relate to swimming ability, but the selected students must have the right personality traits.”  

She typically shortlists twenty students from the trial before consulting with the teaching and pastoral staff to ensure they are trustworthy, hardworking, organised, punctual, friendly, and able to cope with the NPLQ course alongside their A-level studies. 

The students receive training over a few months during evenings and weekends, with a flexible RLSS UK Trainer Assessor (TA) fitting the training around term dates and other extracurricular activities. They are fully trained by Easter time each year, shadowing existing lifeguards for the summer term before taking on full responsibilities in September of their 6.2 year. 

Giving students skills for life 

Kerslake believes lifeguarding provides students with excellent life skills, including rescue techniques, basic life support, CPR, AED use, and first aid, as well as the opportunity to gain experience as responsible adults. 

“Many of our students aim for a career in medicine, and there are clear links with the many skills they learn in the course. Students add their NPLQ to their UCAS undergraduate personal statements, and completing and passing the NPLQ earns each lifeguard 8 UCAS Tariff points. Concord pays for all training, and our lifeguards earn money as well. They also love the RLSS UK uniform, especially the free RLSS UK hoodie we provide.” 

Student lifeguards play a critical role at the Concord pool.  

“We rely on our student lifeguards in every open session. They lifeguard for various activities, including swimming lessons, elite training, recreational swimming, staff-only swimming, parish (community) swimming, the annual gala competition, and our triathlon.”  

The lifeguard team also works together to keep three lanes swimming for a full 24 hours, with the help of the wider student and staff body, raising more than £6,000 for local, national, and international charities nominated by the lifeguards. 

Many lifeguards continue using their NPLQ lifeguarding skills after leaving Concord, working in university pools such as Exeter and Bath or at their local leisure centre. Students often return to Concord to work on its summer schools, too. 

“We’ve really enjoyed the training and learning new skills,” says students Karl, William, and Matthew. “We have made good friends and love the hoodies.” 

Jo Talbot, Interim CEO of RLSS UK, says: “Schools like Concord College are setting a great example, and we encourage other schools to adopt similar initiatives. The NPLQ is a comprehensive qualification that equips young people with essential skills to improve their future career prospects and benefit them throughout their lives.” 

Learn more about the RLSS UK’s NPLQ