The new five-year deal will see the organisation working in partnership with the national governing body until 2013.

The agreement to use the NPTS, a template for learn to swim schemes, means the Academy will use the highest quality syllabus and awards system. The plan is a comprehensive and progressive teaching programme based upon sound technical and educational principles.

The National Plan will run alongside the asa Kellogg’s Awards Scheme and looks set to benefit the 600 students that currently receive swimming lessons at the pool.  It will be launched in conjunction with the re-opening of Burnham Pool as the Burnham-on-Sea Swim & Sports Academy next month.

As part of the deal the Academy will receive additional support and advice from the asa’s Business Team and will work towards Aquamark accreditation – the asa’s quality seal of approval for leisure providers.

The pool was managed by Sedgemoor District Council until late last year when spending constraints threatened closure, but Sara Cox-Conklin and her husband Mark stepped in and successfully acquired ownership in April 2008.  Since that time, the new owners have instigated a modernisation programme for the pool to ensure it both caters for community needs and develops as a centre of sporting excellence through its new role as a swimming academy.

New owner and former World Triathlon Champion and UK Modern Pentathlon Champion Sara is excited about the launch and working closely with the asa.

“We are looking forward to implementing the asa’s highly structured programme which is based on years of research, planning and implementation.  The National Plan offers exceptional value, has standardised swimming lessons and made seamless the implementation of a high quality learn to swim scheme for all leisure providers.

“The reason we chose to work with the asa was their worldwide recognition and professionalism and we welcome the support of their business team who we have found to be extremely efficient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about our business”.

The asa Business Team Manager Mandy Mason welcomes Burnham Pool on board.

"The asa is committed to providing our partners with the support they need to deliver quality learn to swim programmes,” she said.  “We are pleased to welcome Burnham Pool and congratulate the new management on their re-launch as the Swim & Sports Academy. Our Business Team will be working closely with them to ensure they build on their current success whilst using the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and the asa Kellogg's Awards Scheme."