About Us
Established in 2018 by a team of qualified and experienced swimming professionals, aswim uk is dedicated to developing resources for swimming teachers and tutors as well as parents.
These resources include the pioneering SwimPix cards, for use both in the classroom and the pool. There are different sets that cover Swim England's:
Learn to Swim programme (Learn to Swim Pack)
School Swimming and Water Safety Awards (Schools Pack)
School Swimming Foundation (SEND) Awards (Foundation Pack)
aswim has also produced two 'Break it Down' books that aid lesson planning. One covers the Learn to Swim Programme and another the Schools Swimming and Water Safety Awards as well as the Foundation Awards.
SwimPix minis (on lanyards) of part of the Learn to Swim Pack and of the whole Foundation Pack are also available. These are especially helpful for parents and carers to follow and encourage their child's progress.
All of these aswim resources were developed in association with Swim England.
Accessories are also available including storyboards for displaying sequences of SwimPix and a dummy that can be formed to show different stroke positions.
With special consideration for pupils with additional needs, aswim aims to provide resources that help make teaching swimming a positive, fun, and engaging experience for all.
aswim was founded by Alison Bell and Tim Arundel who, with the support of other swimming professionals, have established resources recognised by national governing body Swim England.
Alison Bell
Alison was a GB National Synchronised Swimmer and GB National Coach for Synchronised Swimming from 1989 to 1996.
In 1985, Alison set up her own ABC Swim School and still gets a buzz from teaching and coaching swimming. She has a wealth of experience with all age groups including many learners with special educational needs.
The experienced and supportive team at ABC has helped Alison pilot many new teaching and coaching ideas, including SwimPix which proved a major help to ABC’s special needs children. Alison also teaches swimming teachers and co-founded Aquability Training, a Swim England approved tutoring centre.
Alison’s day to day experience of autism and dyslexia gave her a passion to develop solutions to enhance learning for all. She has written several continuing professional development seminars and her vision is for aswim to continue to develop resources to aid learning, reduce anxiety and promote fun in education.
Tim Arundel
Tim is a successful freelance illustrator and graphic designer. He has worked in public and private sectors of education and training for over 30 years.
In 2013, whilst continuing his illustration and design work, Tim qualified as a Swim England Level 2 Swimming Teacher. He teaches at ABC Swim School and works extensively with one to one swimming lessons and children with special needs.
Tim developed the branding and graphics for SwimPix, honing the illustrations as the cards were trialled. The resulting cards meet the needs of teachers and are understood easily by pupils covering the widest range of ages and abilities.
With aswim Tim is keen to develop more resources to help make a difference to swimming teachers and their pupils.