A DORSET swim school that serves 2,300 people each week has won a major industry award.

Individuality Swimming has won the STAr Swim School Provider Award at the Swimming Teacher Association’s (STA’s) first-ever Aquatic Excellence Awards.

Kristin Maguire, who founded Individuality Swimming more than 20 years ago, said: “I have been teaching people to swim my whole life and Individuality Swimming was founded on my desire to share my passion and help as many people as possible not only learn to swim but love to swim.

“To win this award feels absolutely amazing. It shows that we’re absolutely on the right track with our ethos and approach and we’re delivering the kind of excellence that sets us apart in the sector. I am so proud of my team – this is a testament to their hard work and commitment most of all.”

The UK-wide award was open to all organisations delivering learn-to-swim programmes, taking into consideration how they have expanded the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities in their communities to learn a key life skill.

The judges also looked for examples of how the organisation has delivered best practices in swimming teaching through training, education, and career development.

Individuality Swimming’s mission is to provide supportive, individualised learning for all, believing it’s never too early or late to learn.

It offers aqua natal classes, parent and baby sessions, small group swimming, with no more than five children in a group and one-to-one teaching.

It has 87 staff, serving 2300 clients aged from four weeks to 87 years, in 12 locations across Dorset, with 837 sessions running over seven days a week.

Individuality Swimming also has its own Approved Training Centre, with seven tutors on the team offering a multitude of development opportunities for its own staff, as well as training external students. It has already trained 65 swimming teachers. The centre was a finalist in running for the UK STAr Approved Training Centre award as well.