Brighton Workshop
Purposeful Play, Calm Teaching & Confident Swimmers
Sunday 14th June | Brighton | In-pool & practical
Teach with clarity.
Lead with confidence.
Create swimmers who are ready for the real world.
This is not a qualification.
This is not a tick-box course.
And it’s definitely not another “add more games” training.
This is a practical, in-pool workshop for swim teachers who want to slow things down, sharpen their judgement, and teach with intent rather than intensity.
If you’ve ever felt:
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Overstimulated by content overload
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Pressured to entertain rather than educate
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Unsure whether what you’re doing is truly serving the child
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Torn between safety, progression, play, and parental expectations
This day is for you.
WORKSHOP
Brigton
Children don’t need louder lessons.
They need better-designed ones.
In this one-day immersive workshop, you’ll learn how to:
What this workshop is really about
1 / Use play with purpose, not panic
2 / Read children’s movement, regulation, and readiness in real time
3 / Design activities that build Water Wisdom, not just skills
3 / Support confident, anxious, independent, sensory-seeking, and hesitant swimmers without forcing outcomes
3 / Teach in a way that feels calm, grounded, and sustainable for you
Everything you learn is transferable immediately into lessons on Monday morning.
What You’ll Learn (and Practise)
This workshop blends theory you actually need with in-pool application.
You'll explore:
In-Pool Sessions
(The Heart of the Day)
You’ll be in the water, observing, experimenting, and reflecting.
We’ll look at:
No performance. No pressure. Just thoughtful, skilled teaching.
What You’ll Leave With
By the end of the day, you’ll have:
A clearer understanding of why you do what you do
Greater confidence in reading swimmers
Language to explain your approach to parents and teams
Practical strategies you can use immediately
Reduced mental load when planning lessons
A renewed sense of purpose in your teaching
Many teachers say they leave feeling lighter, steadier, and more confident in their role.
Who is this workshop for?
A swim teacher working with babies, toddlers, preschoolers or early stages
Feeling overwhelmed by fast-paced lesson structures
Wanting to teach in a way that aligns with child development
Curious about purposeful play but unsure how to apply it properly
Ready to refine your teaching rather than add more noise
This day is ideal if you are:
You don’t need to be “creative”.
You don’t need to change everything you do.
You just need to be open to seeing teaching through a calmer, clearer lens.
Who It’s Not For
This workshop may not be right for you if you are looking for:
A formal qualification
Survival-only teaching models
High-pressure assessments
A one-size-fits-all method
Rigid lesson scripts
This is about judgement, awareness, and professional growth.
Why Train With Helen Hughes?
Helen has over 30 years’ experience in aquatic education and is the founder of Mini Water Adventurers.
Her work focuses on:
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Child-centred, developmentally appropriate teaching
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Purposeful play as preparation for real-world water situations
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Supporting teachers to move from overwhelm to confidence
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Creating swimmers who are not just skilled, but Water Wise
This workshop is grounded, practical, and rooted in real teaching environments, not theory detached from the pool.
Workshop Details
📍 Location: Brighton
📅 Date: Sunday 14th June
⏰ Time: Full-day workshop (exact timings confirmed on booking)
🏊 Format: Theory, discussion, and in-pool practical sessions
👥 Group Size: Limited to keep learning meaningful
Investment
This is a professional development workshop, priced to remain accessible while respecting the depth of training provided.
Standard Ticket: £125 closes: Friday 6th June
Early Bird: £95 (limited availability) closes: Sunday 30th March
Group Rate: £330 (or £110 per teacher) for 3 teachers booking together (if you have more than 3 please contact me).
All pricing includes in-pool training and supporting resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Is this a qualification?
No. This is a professional development workshop, not an assessed or certificated qualification.
The focus is on judgement, understanding, and practical application you can use immediately in lessons.
02
Will I be assessed?
No. All in-pool learning is demonstration, observation, and teacher-focused practice.
This day is about how you teach, not performing or being assessed.
03
What level of experience is this suitable for?
This workshop is suitable for qualified swim teachers at any stage of their career.
Whether you’re newly qualified or highly experienced, the learning adapts to your level of insight and reflection.
04
Is this suitable if I teach young children?
Yes. The workshop is especially relevant for those working with toddlers, preschoolers, and early stages, but the principles apply across all ages.
05
What should I bring?
You’ll need:
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Swimwear and towel
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A notebook if you like to jot things down
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An open mind and curiosity
All workshop materials are provided.
06
Can I book as a group?
Yes. Group bookings for 3 or more teachers are available at a discounted rate.
Group tickets must be purchased in one transaction.
07
What if I can no longer attend?
Tickets are non-refundable, as places are limited.
If you’re unable to attend, you may transfer your place to another teacher with prior notice.
08
Will I receive resources?
Yes. You’ll receive supporting resources and reflection prompts to help embed the learning back into your teaching practice.
09
Is lunch included?
Snacks & hot drinks will be provided but lunch is not provided. Please bring your own or plan to purchase nearby.
10
Still unsure?
That’s completely okay.
This workshop isn’t about doing more, being louder, or changing who you are as a teacher.
It’s about seeing more clearly, so teaching feels steadier and more intentional.
If you’ve been questioning:
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whether you’re doing enough (or too much)
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whether play is truly purposeful or just filling time
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whether there’s a calmer way to teach without losing progress
You’re already in the right place.
You don’t need to arrive with confidence.
You don’t need all the answers.
You just need a willingness to pause, observe, and refine.
This day is designed to support you, not overwhelm you.
If something in this page has resonated, trust that nudge.
You’re very welcome to join us in Brighton.