About AMES and Vicky

An Introduction to AMES UK Swim School

Vicky has a BSc(hons) in Psychology, an MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology. Vicky has discussed with a London University Professor the possibility of embarking on a doctorate centred on “Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology for Children with Special Needs”, but sadly life circumstances at the time made this impossible.

Vicky was an Olympic Torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics. She took part in the Torch Relay on Monday the 21st of May in Minehead, Somerset. She was selected by the Olympic Committee for her outstanding teaching skills and methods, and her commitment to the sport of swimming. Vicky teaches, helps, supports and mentors special needs children and mainstream children in relation to the sport of swimming. (more photos from the Olympic Torch Relay 2012 are in our gallery pages)

Also in the sport of swimming Vicky has competed at International level for Greece. At the height of her swimming career she was the Greek National 200m Breaststroke Champion for 3 years running – narrowly missing the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 because she missed the start of the selection procedure having by then taken up residence in the UK to start her first degree. At that time Vicky was the No 1 Breaststroker in her event for the country but because of procedural oversights, Greece finished up taking their No 3 ranked swimmer to the Olympics.

Vicky has lived, studied and worked in the UK since 1995 and has Dual Nationality (Greek and British).

All AMES Swim School classes are taught using the framework laid down by Swim England’s (formerly the Amateur Swimming Association) National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS). This scheme delivers a structured approach with progression through 10 distinct stages. (see Swim England NPTS Stages for more details).

Swim School classes at AMES UK are grouped solely by the ability of the swimmer and not their age. Each swimmer will be assessed and integrated into the classes at the appropriate level for his/her ability.

All our classes will be taught by a Swim England qualified Teachers.

To motivate our swimmers the school endorses the inexpensive Swim England Award scheme that runs along side the NPTS scheme. This provides incentive and recognition of achievement for the swimmer as they progress through the various levels.

“Mission statement: The mission of AMES UK Swim School is to provide all swimmers, children and adults, with a memorable, high standard and positive swimming experience. Our caring, well-trained and experienced staff will work on positive reinforcement, support and technical practice in order to built confidence in the mental and physical well being of the swimmers. ”
Vicky Panagiotidou

Vicky believes in giving everybody the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential. To achieve this it is vitally important that the parents/guardians of the child are involved with the development of their child’s swimming abilities. To this end you may be given certain exercises to do with your child in between Swim School lessons.

Vicky has been teaching and coaching swimming in the UK since 1995. As a swimming coach Vicky worked for Croydon Amphibians SC (coaching their second highest squad) and was the Head Coach for the Greek arm of AMES in 2004. While she was in Athens in 2004, she trained 12 children to a high enough standard to compete in the Greek National Swimming Championships. Vicky has also worked as Head Coach for Orpington Ojays SC and more recently at Salisbury Stingrays SC as Head Coach for their Performance Squad’.

Swimming is Vicky’s life. She lives for the sport and thrives on imparting her skill and knowledge onto others. If Vicky is not in or around a swimming pool she is not living.

Vicky Panagiotidou – Owner of AMES UK Swim School