The Development of a Pilates Standard in the UK
Body Control Pilates is the first UK Pilates teacher training provider
to submit its Basic Matwork Course for approval at Level 3
Update issued September 2005
The UK’s major Pilates organisations and training providers have,
for many years, supported the need for a national standard in Pilates.
Such a standard is considered vital in helping to ensure the quality and
safety of teaching in the Pilates Method, thereby continuing to protect
the excellent reputation that Pilates enjoys today.
After three years of preparatory work, we are very pleased to confirm
that a new national standard for Pilates came into effect in August 2005.
This was ratified by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) and
will be overseen by SkillsActive (the Sector Skills Council for Active
Leisure and Learning) and the Register of Exercise Professionals. The
standard sits at Level 3 in the national qualifications’ framework.
Any organisation that provides a Pilates teacher training faculty in the
United Kingdom will be able to apply for recognition of its courses against
this standard and it is strongly recommended that, if you are about to
embark on a career as a Pilates teacher, you train with an organisation
whose course has either been ratified at Level 3 or which is in the process
of applying. Typically, a ‘Level 3 course’ should comprise around
100 hours of classroom tuition with a further 50 hours of supervised teaching
and an additional element of ‘self study’.
Pilates teachers graduating from approved courses will then be eligible
to apply for inclusion on the Pilates section of The Register of Exercise
Professionals (www.exerciseregister.org). The Register is the recommended
information source for both club operators and members of the public,
who may wish to check a Pilates teacher’s credentials in terms of
training qualifications and professional development.
Existing Pilates teachers can also apply for inclusion on the Register
as long as their original training course is assessed as meeting the standard,
or if they have upgraded their knowledge through approved courses or workshops.
Teachers must have continued to develop their knowledge and teaching skills
through a programme of continued professional development.
The Body Control Pilates Academy has recently submitted its course for
approval at Level 3. It is the first UK Pilates teacher training provider
to do this and we now await the outcome of this submission, expected in
November 2005. As part of this process, we have introduced some minor
amendments to the content and procedures of our course – these take
effect from courses commencing in October 2005.
Body Control Pilates is committed to retaining its position as Europe’s
foremost provider of Pilates teacher training and wholeheartedly supports
the new standard.
SkillsActive Press Release
dated: 15th August 2005
Following an extensive consultation process with Pilates organisations,
Pilates teachers, trainers and employers across the UK, SkillsActive is
pleased to finally launch the new standard for Pilates – a first
for the industry within the UK.
Now official approval has been received, the industry will enjoy a Pilates
specific standard that will be recognised across the whole of the health
and fitness industry, and can now be used to work towards membership of
the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) at Level 3.
Lee Buck, SkillsActive’s qualifications and standards officer said;
“We are so pleased that these standards have now been approved. The
whole process has been years in the making and could not have been achieved
without the support of many Pilates training organisations, Pilates experts,
teachers and employers; without them the development of the standard would
not have happened.
“This is a huge step forward for the fitness industry, we will be
able to recognise Pilates training providers who deliver quality training
that meets the nationally agreed standards and in turn this will allow
fitness professionals to access quality training in the discipline of
Pilates leading to an upskilling of the workforce.”
Lynne Robinson, director Body Control Pilates Association said; “This
standard is a major milestone for Pilates worldwide. Pilates organisations
in the UK have spent several years helping to develop its content and
the result will be hugely beneficial for Pilates enthusiasts across the
country. This standard, and the list of qualified teachers on the Register,
will significantly help to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness
of Pilates teaching. I wholeheartedly support this important initiative.”
The approval of the standard will lead to the recognition of qualified
and skilled Pilates professionals across the UK. There are several organisations
around the world that have developed a certification process for Pilates
professionals, however SkillsActive is the first to have consulted with
the industry to develop National Occupational Standards for Pilates.
Michael King from the Pilates Institute said; “Pilates Institute
welcomes the new Level 3 Pilates Qualification as now instructors who
have been doing ongoing comprehensive training can be acknowledged and
fully represented within the industry.”
REPs registrar, Cliff Collins said; The Register of Exercise Professionals
is looking forward to working closely with the leading Pilates training
providers to help make sure the hundreds of Pilates teachers can join
REPs. These Level 3 Standards are an important addition to the qualification
structure which will help enable operators and members of the public to
understand and identify which Pilates teachers who are properly qualified.”
For more information about the approvals process, and to obtain the new
standards, visit: www.skillsactive.com/pilatesandyoga
Body Control
Pilates Association website
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