STA Level 2 Pool Water Testing

Make sense of the science, with practical skills and personal support

We make science a little bit cool!

Learn how to carry out routine swimming pool and spa water tests, record your results and understand what they mean. With clear explanations, interactive activities and support from Lynn Goring-Crook, this course will help you build confidence in an important part of keeping pool water safe and enjoyable.

Who is this course for?

This qualification is ideal for anyone responsible for routine pool water testing, including lifeguards and other staff who carry out tests as part of their role.

You will develop the basic knowledge and practical skills needed to test water competently, record your findings and understand the significance of the results.

What will the learning be like?

Expect an interactive online course with practical examples, discussion and activities that help the science make sense.

We’ll help you untangle acids and alkalis without taking you to breakpoint—although we’ll explain what that means too!

And will there be games to help you learn? Absolutely. We take the quality of your learning seriously, and we believe there is plenty of room for fun along the way.

Support from start to finish

Your tutor, Lynn Goring-Crook, will guide you through the course with clear explanations, encouragement and constructive feedback.

At The Skills Surgery and The Swim Surgery, we want you to feel comfortable asking questions and confident putting your learning into practice. Our learner support begins before the course and continues afterwards, so you have someone to turn to as you develop your skills.

Course details

Theory date: 29th September 2026
Theory time: 9.30am–1pm
Venue: The Swim Surgery Online Interactive Classroom, via Zoom
Tutor: Lynn Goring-Crook

Please attend the full session to meet the course attendance requirements.

Your online theory exam

Exam date: 1st October

Your multiple-choice theory exam will be available through Cirrus from 7am until midnight. You will have 30 minutes to complete it, so choose a start time that allows you to finish before the exam closes.

You can take the exam from home using a computer or laptop with Google Chrome. It cannot be completed on a phone or tablet.

If the date is inconvenient, or you cannot access Cirrus, please contact us before booking to discuss the options. A paper exam may be possible by arrangement.

Your practical assessment

Submission deadline: 1st October 2026

You will need to submit:

• A video of yourself carrying out a series of pool water tests using the techniques taught during the course.

• A completed pool water testing record showing the results from your video.

You must have access to a swimming pool, suitable testing equipment and a device to record your practical assessment. Please check the equipment requirements below before booking.

How will you be assessed?

To complete the qualification, you will need to:

• Attend all required teaching sessions.

• Complete the multiple-choice theory exam.

• Submit your practical pool water testing video.

• Complete the accompanying pool water testing record.

Entry requirements

You must be at least 16 years old.

What you will need

For your online learning

• A computer, laptop, tablet or suitable phone with a working microphone and camera to join Zoom.

• Internet access to use your e-manual, Nearpod and our interactive learning activities.

• A Gmail account and a suitable device to access Google Classroom, where we share pre-course paperwork and communications.

• The ability to view and complete course documents, including Word documents and PDFs.

• A pen and paper or another way to make notes.

For your theory exam

• A computer or laptop with Google Chrome to access Cirrus. Phones and tablets cannot be used for the exam.

For your practical assessment

• Access to a swimming pool and pool water.

• A suitable basic pool water testing kit, including DPD 1, DPD 3 and phenol red tablets.

• A phone or another device capable of recording your assessment video.

Access and reasonable adjustments

If you would like to discuss access to learning, equipment requirements or reasonable adjustments, please contact lynn@theswimsurgery.co.uk before booking.

We are here to support you before, during and after your course.

Booking and payment

Payment plans are not available for this course. However, you can reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit and pay the remaining balance before the course begins.

To arrange this, contact jeremy@theswimsurgery.co.uk.

For course questions or help with booking, contact our Course Administration Manager, Helen, at helen@theswimsurgery.co.uk.