Swimming teacher wins teacher of the year!

One of our most popular swimming teachers at Hillsborough Leisure Centre has been awarded the prestigious title of Swim England’s Teacher of the Year!

Malcom Johnson who has worked for us for 18 years won the award last night at the Swim England annual awards ceremony. Malcolm teaches at Hillsborough Leisure Centre on our disability swimming programme working with children on their Stages 1 to 7 swimming qualifications on the Swim England programme.  

The Swim England Teaching and Education Awards and Conference 2022 is the UK’s largest event for the swimming workforce and the evening awards ceremony gives Swim England the chance to honour the very best of the amazing swimming teachers, coaches and educators in the country.

Matthew Pierre, our Programme Supervisor at Hillsborough Leisure Centre said: “I’m happy that Malc has won this award because he has a genuine passion for his role as a swimming teacher.

“I've seen first-hand the difference his lessons can make to the confidence of the children he teaches. Our disability swimming lessons at Hillsborough are a key part of the programme and Malcolm's hard work has made sure they've always been delivered to an exceptionally high standard.”

Malcolm is also a learning mentor in a local primary school and has been teaching swimming for over 30 years. He was up against other swimming teachers like himself who provide quality lessons week in week out and who are motivated to improve their learners’ standards and go the extra mile to ensure they deliver the best quality, inclusive learning experience for their pupils and strive to inspire the next generation of teachers.

Malcolm said: “I’m absolutely thrilled, and this is not just for me but for all the children I teach as well. It’s just an absolute honour.

“I’d like to thank all the parents who supported the children even in the time during the pandemic when I couldn’t get into the water with them, and they would to support the lessons.”

Malcolm attended the award ceremony with his son last night in Solihull. This year is extra special as it is the first time the awards have been staged in front of an audience since 2019 due to the pandemic.

Paul Hudson, Head of Sports and Leisure at Sheffield City Trust said: ”It’s fantastic to see Malc get this recognition as he is so dedicated to the children he teaches.

“There are over 40 children every week attending his lessons and he makes sure that every single one of them gets the attention, help and support they need, the award is very well deserved, and we’re all thrilled for him.”

For more information about swimming lessons on our Swim England Learn to Swim programme please click the link below.