Secondary Team Championships

The following information is provided for the attention of shools that have qualified or are reserves. It is important that they read and respond to the information below.

Event Handbook

The event handbook contains important information, and answers many common questions, about the event including timings, travel information, and so much more. It will be available from the downloads section on this webpage.
Please read the handbook carefully in preparing for and attending the event.
Please do not email questions to the organisers until you have read this handbook - the answer is probably in there, but we are always happy to answer questions or provide clarification where it is not.

Forms

It is ESSENTIAL that qualifiers and reserves complete the information required in the following forms by the deadlines stated 

• The Acceptance form is an online form – this needs to be completed as soon as practical and by 7^th November at the latest to secure your place.
• The Accreditation form for Team managers/Adults accompanying the team (link in the letter within the pack) – this needs to be filled in for each adult that forms part of your team delegation i.e. that will be with the swimmers in the balcony seating area or poolside.
  • Provide your DBS number and date of issue
  • Provide a photo of your school photo ID or
    • an authorisation letter from the head teacher:
      • stating you are a teacher at the school or
      • in the case of a non-staff member (e.g., a parent/club coach) stating they had authorisation to supervise the swimmers on the school's behalf
      • With regards to the safeguarding training, we are asking that adults who are directly in contact with the swimmers provide evidence to confirm that safeguarding training has been undertaken (within the last 3 years)
        • Acceptable evidence includes a photocopy/screenshot of a suitable training certificate or an email from the school confirming the adult has conducted such training
  • Provide a passport style photo
  • Without completing the form adults will not receive a pass and security will prevent them entering into the swimmer areas (changing rooms / swimmer balcony seating / poolside).
• The Swimmer Nomination Form Swimmer Nomination Form: 
  • Please complete this form by Thursday 19th November at the latest.
  • Complete one form for each team entered
  • The same form can be used for both Medley and Freestyle relays for a team, or can be submitted seperately
  • Updates can be submitted at any time
  • The latest update will override any previous submissions
  • We do not need to know the order in which your swimmers compete
  • As long as the swimmer is in the list submitted, we don't need to know if you've swapped in a reserve (the form caters for up to 6 swimmers in each team)
• Additionally, there is a Merchandise order form available from the merchandise page.
• No Medical/Permission form is included this year as schools are expected to address these issues as a standard part of their away-trip procedures.

This year we will not be using paper forms. Instead, Schools are required to submit their swimmer nominations for their team(s) using an on-line form. 
Please complete the form at this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Q4Mdjhrx1N
The form can be re-submitted if there are changes. Only one form is required per team (covering both Freestyle and Mixed Stroke relays).
A seperate form will be required if you are entering both an 'Open Boys' and 'Open Girls' team.

09:30 – 12:40 : Pool Familiarisation
12:50                : Opening Ceremony
13:00 – 17:00 : Competition Events (Start - Estimated Finish)
Medal/Award presentations will occur immeadiately after each block of Finals
This will provide a short break for officials and those not involved in the presentations

Spectator space is limited. This year we are selling spectator tickets in advance - see the event handbook for details.
A few may be available on the day, but are not guaranteed.
Spectators will be required to show their tickets which will be sent to their email upon entry to the spectator balcony.

• Due to new venue rules, parking is unavailable at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre for schools or spectators.
• Parking is available a 20-minute walk away at the Harry Mitchell Sandwell site (Harry Mitchell Park, Coopers Ln, Smethwick B67 6AW) as well as surrounding roads.
• Schools will be able to drop off teams in the drop off area before moving on to find parking.
• Designated disabled parking bays are located at the front of the building alongside the drop of area.
  • Please ensure you have a valid disabled badge on display when parking in one of our designated disabled and accessible parking spaces.

All live information for these championships will be accessible from links on our live events page
Information/links should appear by mid morning on the 21^st November.
Livestreaming is produced by   Photography by
There are links to the results of previous years' championships and the championship Records at the bottom of this page.  

The competition conditions for the event were revised in 2026 (effective from September)

The agegroup eligibility for Senior teams where a school has no 6^th form have been relaxed to allow certain swimmers to 'swim up' - please see the conditions for details

For the national finals in November 2026, we expect to invite the top 24 schools in single gender events, and the top 10 schools in mixed gender events. There will also be events for para-swimmers, who should contact their divisional representative to advise of their interest in participating. 

Ages are calculated at midnight 31^st August/1^st September at the beginning of academic year of competition:
e.g. for competitions in school year 2026/27, swimmers must have been born in the date range below (inclusive) to participate in that age-group's events:
NOTE: Nominal school years are provided for information only and will not apply if a student is outside of the normal intake age for the year e.g. if they have retaken a year.

Who can enter?

This is a team event where swimmers represent their school rather than their club. It is open to all secondary school aged swimmers. All schools are automatically affiliate to ESSA on entry to any of its events; there is no need to pre-register or affiliate.
Home schooled swimmers that wish to participate should contact their division representative.
Para swimmers represent their division.

How does my school enter?

Entry forms are made available by each division for their qualifying gala. These forms are often emailed by division representatives to schools that have previously participated or expressed an interest, and are also made available via the division's webpage of this website. Schools may enter only ONE qualifying gala. Some qualifying round galas permit a school to enter more than one team in each age group, but this is subject to the organisers discretion and only the nominated A-team will be eligible for progression to the national finals.
Para teams are organised by the division's representative, so if you have a swimmer in your school who is interested in competing, please contact your division representative.

When is the qualifying event in our area?

All qualification galas are published on the relevant division's webpage of this website.
Schools are not restricted to entering galas in their own division (or county where events are organised at a county level), however the organiser may place restrictions on out of area schools to ensure safe and efficient running of their gala.

What events are included?

Teams compete in 4x50m Freestyle and Medley relays. These are always run short-course (in a 25m pool) during the qualifying round. National Finals are usually run long-course (in a 50m pool); however, this is subject to the availability of a suitable pool. There are three age groups (Junior, Intermediate and Senior), each of which is run as a Male/Open, a Female and a Mixed event.
In addition, Divisions can enter Para teams, run as separate Male/Open and Female events, with a range of disability point to accommodate a wide range of para swimmers.

Can we enter a team with an underage swimmer?

No, swimmers must be within the applicable age range for their age group. ESSA events are based on age groups that set upper and lower ages for swimmers. Ages are based on age at the start of the academic year (31st August/1st September). 

Can we change swimmers between rounds?

Yes, A team can be changed between the qualifying round and the national finals. Further changes can be made between the heats and finals of an event within the National Finals gala. Also, whilst each age group can participate in a Freestyle and Medley relay, there is no requirement for these to use the same four swimmers.

Do first leg results count as a licensed time?

No, This is not a licensed gala so unfortunately times swum at this gala cannot be submitted to rankings.