24th September 2009: Carwarden Pool classes back to normal:
Good News! Swimming classes will be back to normal at Carwarden from this Monday 28th September.
21st September 2009: Carwarden Pool Closure:
Unfortunately the Carwarden Pool continues to be closed for swimming, so all Carwarden swimming lessons this week will be at
St Johns School Pool, normal times. For directions see St Johns Directions.
21st September 2009: National Plan for Teaching Swimming
We have provided an overview of the ASA's National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) for information. Please see the NPTS page for more information.
15th September 2009: Carwarden Pool Closure:
Unfortunately the Carwarden Pool was closed to us yesterday so Monday's lessons had to transfer to St Johns School,
Victoria Road, Knaphill (Directions). Tuesday's lessons also had to move to St Johns School today.
Wednesday's lessons will move to Gordons (directions) - if you don't already know the times of
these lessons tomorrow, then please contact Karen.
Watch this space for next week's arrangements.
13th July 2009: Summer Special Courses announced for 27th - 31st July:
The ever popular Summer Special courses have been announced. These varied courses are half an hour per day for five days, and a new course has been
added - the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
More information and contact details for these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu
option on the left for these details.
15th April 2009: Dates for next term (Summer 2009 Term) are published:
The dates for next term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates - next term menu option on the
left for current details.
28th February 2009: Easter Special Courses announced for 6th - 9th April:
The ever popular Easter special courses have been announced. These varied courses are half an hour per day for four days, and a new course has been
added - the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
More information and contact details for these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu
option on the left for these details.
10th February 2009: Carwarden access:
On Monday and Tuesday at Carwardens, the path between the car park gate and the swimming pool was closed because it was still
covered in snow and ice: people were directed the other side of the white house and through the picnic area to the pool. This was
despite the thaw and the rain.
So please look out for diversions at Carwarden in case the normal path is closed again. Thank you.
4th February 2009: All swimming is cancelled for today (Carwarden and Gordons):
Due to continued adverse conditions swimming is cancelled for today, Wednesday 4th February 2009 at both Carwarden and Gordons pools.
3rd February 2009: All swimming is cancelled for today:
Due to continued adverse weather conditions causing the school to remain closed, swimming is cancelled for today, Tuesday 3rd February 2009.
2nd February 2009: All swimming cancelled for today:
Due to adverse weather conditions, swimming is cancelled for today, Monday 2nd February 2009.
4th December 2008: New for January - Multi-Activity Class introduced at Gordons:
New for January at Gordon’s Pool, Ollie Otters is introducing a multi activity class on Wednesday evenings from 7.00 – 7.30pm.
This new class is for children able to swim 25m frontcrawl, backcrawl, breastroke.
All these activities will be covered per term:
water polo
diving
rookie lifeguard
survival
If you are interested in places on this, then please contact us for details.
4th December 2008: Next Term's dates published:
The dates for next term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates - next term menu option on the
left for current details.
13th October 2008: Carwarden Pool closure update:
Carwarden House School notified us today that the swimming pool will remain closed until Thursday 16th October.
Consequently Carwarden lessons for Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th October are
not possible.
We are hopeful that normal lessons at Carwarden can be resumed from 20th October onwards.
Latest details will be posted here as they are made available to Ollie Otters.
12th October 2008: Carwarden Pool closed for Monday 13th October:
Carwarden House School notified us today that the swimming pool filtration system has been repaired but requires a period of running
for health and safety tests before they can allow swimming again. They expect the tests to be completed satisfactorily on Tuesday
morning, therefore they have kept the pool closed for Monday 13th October.
Normal lessons at Carwarden should be resumed from Tuesday afternoon onwards.
The term for Monday lessons will now be extended by a second week to replace the 13th October lessons, so the last day
of the Mondays term will now be 8th December 2008.
See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for revised details.
7th October 2008: Gordons Parade Ground unavailable on Wednesday 8th October for normal car parking:
We have been informed today by Gordon's School that the Parade Ground is to be used tomorrow night, Wednesday 8th October 2008, and will therefore be unavailable to Ollie Otters for normal parking.
Please park in the car park across the road and then walk over the footbridge into the school to the pool building, as in this diagram.
7th October 2008: Carwarden term extended by one week following Pool Filtration System failure:
Following yesterday's Carwarden swimming pool filtration system failure, and the loss of Ollie Otters lessons on 6/7/8 October,
the Carwarden term will run on an extra week to make up for this week's lessons.
See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for revised details.
6th October 2008: Pool Filtration System failure today at Carwarden:
Carwarden House School notified us today that the swimming pool filtration system is not working properly and that they have
closed the swimming pool until at least Wednesday. Consequently, Ollie Otters Carwarden lessons have had to be cancelled for
Monday 6th October, Tuesday 7th October and Wednesday 8th October.
2nd September 2008: Autumn Term dates published:
The dates for this coming term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates menu option on the
left for current details.
6th July 2008 : Summer Special Courses announced for 28th Jul - 1st Aug:
As ever, our popular special courses have been arranged for the early part of the summer holidays. These varied courses are half an hour per day for 5 days,
and include our new course, the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
Term time classes are also available for Parents & Toddlers.
More information and contact details to book for these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu
option on the left for these details. But HURRY - places are limited!
2nd July 2008 : 5 mph Speed Limit Reminder at Gordons School
We have recently been advised that some parents are driving too fast in the school grounds.
Please note that the speed limit is 5 miles per hour inside Gordon's School grounds, and that anyone travelling faster could have their child's lessons revoked.
8th June 2008: Carwarden and Gordons: The B311 Red Road is to be closed from 18th June for 10-12 days:
The following may affect your journey to either Carwarden or Gordons school pools.
The B311 Red Road running past Lightwater is to be closed from 18th June between 0900 and 1630. The closure is from the junction for
Macdonald Road to The Maultway.
It will enable the National Grid to replace the overhead power cables which cross the road along that stretch.
Local signs indicate the closure is for 10 days from from 18th June (i.e. Wednesday 18th June to Friday 27th June
inclusive). However, official notices have reserved the possibility of closure until Monday 30th June.
For more information and details of alternative routes click here.
8th May 2008: Half Term Special Courses announced for 27th - 30th May:
The ever popular special courses have been arranged for the upcoming May Half Term. These varied courses are half an hour per day for 4 days,
and include our new course, the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
Term time classes are also available for Parents & Toddlers.
More information and contact details for these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu
option on the left for these details.
25th April 2008: Change to Gordons Sunday dates for Summer Term 2008:
The Gordon’s School Parade date has changed to Sunday 11th May. Consequently, we will not be holding swimming lessons on Sunday 11th May and we will be swimming on Sunday 18th May.
These date changes have also been reflected on-line in the Lesson dates - this term menu option on the left hand side.
16th March 2008: Easter Special Courses announced for 7th - 11th April:
The ever popular Easter special courses have been announced. These varied courses are half an hour per day for a week, and a new course has been
added - the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
Next term there are also opportunities for new term-time classes for parent and toddler, one to one and small groups for nervous swimmers.
More information and contact details for both of these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu
option on the left for these details.
14th March 2008: Next Term's dates announced (for Summer 2008):
The dates for next term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for current details.
22nd January 2008: Good News - Boiler fixed at Carwarden:
The boiler which heats the swimming pool at Carwarden is up and running now today. Lessons for Tuesdays and subsequent days are therefore starting as usual.
For those affected by the boiler failure for the Monday lessons at Carwarden, we have managed to arrange replacement lessons for Monday 31st March 2008.
21st January 2008: Boiler failure today at Carwarden:
The boiler which heats the swimming pool at Carwarden has failed today, 21st January, so unfortunately Monday's lessons have had to be
cancelled. Carwarden hope to have it operating again in time for swimming lessons on Tuesday 22nd January.
*** However, it is advisable for parents of children swimming on Tuesday at Carwarden to
check the latest situation with Karen in case it is not repaired in time for the pool to warm up sufficiently for swimming lessons. ***
To check with Karen, please ring 01483 - 852759, but not until at least 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday as there
won't be any new information from Carwarden until at least then.
*** Parents are also advised that if they have mobile phones then they should keep them switched on during the day in case there are text message to send to them. ***
21st December 2007: Next term's dates announced:
The dates for next term are now available on-line. Note that Monday sessions added at Carwarden for last term have been continued.
A number of website improvements have been made recently. The noticeable ones are the Ollie Otter icon
now stored by some browsers when you save Ollie Otter bookmarks/favourites, and the boxes around each news
item on this latest page. Also, the "Printer Friendly" version of the "Booking Conditions & Swim School
Rules" page has been removed because this page and most of the other pages on this site have now been
made printer friendly in their own right.
Other internal changes (less visible) have been made to simplify and speed up the website, to improve
search engine optimisation, and to prepare for further additions/enhancements to this website.
9th July 2007: Crash Courses announced for Summer Holidays:
We are delighted to announce the ever-popular crash courses for this Summer's school holidays, now at Gordons
and at St Johns School.
See the Crash Course menu item on the left for full details and booking.
9th July 2007: Directions to Carwarden added:
Directions to the pool used by Ollie Otters at Carwarden House Community School are now on-line. There is a choice of map engines which
will locate Carwarden for you, and which may also give you directions and routing from your postcode, depending which engine you choose.
Directions to the pool used by Ollie Otters at Gordons School are now on-line. There is a choice of map engines which
will locate Gordons for you, and which may also give you directions and routing from your postcode, depending which engine you choose.
3rd June 2007: Updated on the Sponsored Swim 2007:
As you know, swimmers from Ollie Otters and Waitrose swam a mile for three charities on 31st March.
It's a big "Well Done!" to all the swimmers - so far between them they have raised over
over £3640
for the three charities!! The breakdown is
£995.72 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer,
£374.62 for Cancer Research UK, and
£2272.33 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Please contact Karen at Ollie Otters if you have any outstanding donations. Thank You.
You can read more and see pictures from the night on the Sponsored Swim Report page.
2nd April 2007: Sponsored Swim 2007 Report:
Swimmers from Ollie Otters and Waitrose swam a mile for three charities on Saturday night,
31st March. Read all about it, see the pictures and find out how much they raised on the
Sponsored Swim Report page.
For up-to-date information please see this web site.
4th December 2008:
New for January - Multi-Activity Class introduced at Gordons:
New for January at Gordon’s Pool, Ollie Otters is introducing a multi activity class on Wednesday evenings from 7.00 – 7.30pm. This new class is for children able to swim 25m frontcrawl, backcrawl, breastroke.
All these activities will be covered per term:
If you are interested in places on this, then please contact us for details.
4th December 2008:
Next Term's dates published:
The dates for next term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates - next term menu option on the left for current details.
13th October 2008: Carwarden Pool closure update:
Carwarden House School notified us today that the swimming pool will remain closed until Thursday 16th October. Consequently Carwarden lessons for Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th October are not possible.
We are hopeful that normal lessons at Carwarden can be resumed from 20th October onwards.
Latest details will be posted here as they are made available to Ollie Otters.
12th October 2008: Carwarden Pool closed for Monday 13th October:
Carwarden House School notified us today that the swimming pool filtration system has been repaired but requires a period of running for health and safety tests before they can allow swimming again. They expect the tests to be completed satisfactorily on Tuesday morning, therefore they have kept the pool closed for Monday 13th October.
Normal lessons at Carwarden should be resumed from Tuesday afternoon onwards.
The term for Monday lessons will now be extended by a second week to replace the 13th October lessons, so the last day of the Mondays term will now be 8th December 2008.
See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for revised details.
7th October 2008: Gordons Parade Ground unavailable on Wednesday 8th October for normal car parking:
We have been informed today by Gordon's School that the Parade Ground is to be used tomorrow night, Wednesday 8th October 2008, and will therefore be unavailable to Ollie Otters for normal parking.
Please park in the car park across the road and then walk over the footbridge into the school to the pool building, as in this diagram.
7th October 2008: Carwarden term extended by one week following Pool Filtration System failure:
Following yesterday's Carwarden swimming pool filtration system failure, and the loss of Ollie Otters lessons on 6/7/8 October, the Carwarden term will run on an extra week to make up for this week's lessons.
See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for revised details.
6th October 2008: Pool Filtration System failure today at Carwarden:
Carwarden House School notified us today that the swimming pool filtration system is not working properly and that they have closed the swimming pool until at least Wednesday. Consequently, Ollie Otters Carwarden lessons have had to be cancelled for Monday 6th October, Tuesday 7th October and Wednesday 8th October.
2nd September 2008:
Autumn Term dates published:
The dates for this coming term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for current details.
6th July 2008 : Summer Special Courses announced for 28th Jul - 1st Aug:
As ever, our popular special courses have been arranged for the early part of the summer holidays. These varied courses are half an hour per day for 5 days, and include our new course, the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
Term time classes are also available for Parents & Toddlers.
More information and contact details to book for these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu option on the left for these details. But HURRY - places are limited!
2nd July 2008 : 5 mph Speed Limit Reminder at Gordons School
We have recently been advised that some parents are driving too fast in the school grounds.
Please note that the speed limit is 5 miles per hour inside Gordon's School grounds, and that anyone travelling faster could have their child's lessons revoked.
Thank you
The pages on Directions to Gordons school and Gordons - Parking have also been updated to reflect this reminder. hyperlink_as_displayed.
8th June 2008:
Carwarden and Gordons: The B311 Red Road is to be closed from 18th June for 10-12 days:
The following may affect your journey to either Carwarden or Gordons school pools.
The B311 Red Road running past Lightwater is to be closed from 18th June between 0900 and 1630. The closure is from the junction for Macdonald Road to The Maultway.
It will enable the National Grid to replace the overhead power cables which cross the road along that stretch.
Local signs indicate the closure is for 10 days from from 18th June (i.e. Wednesday 18th June to Friday 27th June inclusive). However, official notices have reserved the possibility of closure until Monday 30th June.
For more information and details of alternative routes click here.
8th May 2008:
Half Term Special Courses announced for 27th - 30th May:
The ever popular special courses have been arranged for the upcoming May Half Term. These varied courses are half an hour per day for 4 days, and include our new course, the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
Term time classes are also available for Parents & Toddlers.
More information and contact details for these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu option on the left for these details.
25th April 2008:
Change to Gordons Sunday dates for Summer Term 2008:
The Gordon’s School Parade date has changed to Sunday 11th May. Consequently, we will not be holding swimming lessons on Sunday 11th May and we will be swimming on Sunday 18th May.
These date changes have also been reflected on-line in the Lesson dates - this term menu option on the left hand side.
16th March 2008:
Easter Special Courses announced for 7th - 11th April:
The ever popular Easter special courses have been announced. These varied courses are half an hour per day for a week, and a new course has been added - the ASA NPTS flip'n'fun introduction to diving.
Next term there are also opportunities for new term-time classes for parent and toddler, one to one and small groups for nervous swimmers.
More information and contact details for both of these are now available on-line. See the Crash course details menu option on the left for these details.
14th March 2008:
Next Term's dates announced (for Summer 2008):
The dates for next term are now available on-line. See the Lesson dates menu option on the left for current details.
22nd January 2008: Good News - Boiler fixed at Carwarden:
The boiler which heats the swimming pool at Carwarden is up and running now today. Lessons for Tuesdays and subsequent days are therefore starting as usual.
For those affected by the boiler failure for the Monday lessons at Carwarden, we have managed to arrange replacement lessons for Monday 31st March 2008.
21st January 2008: Boiler failure today at Carwarden:
The boiler which heats the swimming pool at Carwarden has failed today, 21st January, so unfortunately Monday's lessons have had to be cancelled. Carwarden hope to have it operating again in time for swimming lessons on Tuesday 22nd January.
*** However, it is advisable for parents of children swimming on Tuesday at Carwarden to check the latest situation with Karen in case it is not repaired in time for the pool to warm up sufficiently for swimming lessons. ***
*** Parents are also advised that if they have mobile phones then they should keep them switched on during the day in case there are text message to send to them. ***
21st December 2007: Next term's dates announced:
The dates for next term are now available on-line. Note that Monday sessions added at Carwarden for last term have been continued.
See the Lesson dates - next term menu option on the left for current details.
25th October 2007: Website improvements:
A number of website improvements have been made recently. The noticeable ones are the Ollie Otter icon now stored by some browsers when you save Ollie Otter bookmarks/favourites, and the boxes around each news item on this latest page. Also, the "Printer Friendly" version of the "Booking Conditions & Swim School Rules" page has been removed because this page and most of the other pages on this site have now been made printer friendly in their own right.
Other internal changes (less visible) have been made to simplify and speed up the website, to improve search engine optimisation, and to prepare for further additions/enhancements to this website.
9th July 2007: Crash Courses announced for Summer Holidays:
We are delighted to announce the ever-popular crash courses for this Summer's school holidays, now at Gordons and at St Johns School.
See the Crash Course menu item on the left for full details and booking.
9th July 2007: Directions to Carwarden added:
Directions to the pool used by Ollie Otters at Carwarden House Community School are now on-line. There is a choice of map engines which will locate Carwarden for you, and which may also give you directions and routing from your postcode, depending which engine you choose.
See the Directions to Carwarden menu option on the left for current details.
7th July 2007: Next term's dates announced:
The dates for next term are now available on-line. Note that Monday sessions have been added at Carwarden.
See the Lesson dates - next term menu option on the left for current details.
7th July 2007: Directions to Gordons added:
Directions to the pool used by Ollie Otters at Gordons School are now on-line. There is a choice of map engines which will locate Gordons for you, and which may also give you directions and routing from your postcode, depending which engine you choose.
See the Directions to Gordons menu option on the left for current details.
26th June 2007: Carwarden term dates for Wednesday revised back:
The Carwarden term dates should not have been extended for the Wednesday lessons, so the last Carwarden Wednesday session is on 4th July.
See the Lesson dates - this term page for correct details. Apologies for any inconvenience caused!
21st June 2007: Latest on the sponsored swim:
Over £4000 has been raised so far for the charity sponsored swim!!
Read more details on the Sponsored Swim Results page.
19th June 2007: Carwarden term dates extended:
The Carwarden term dates have been extended to replace missed lessons. See the "Lesson dates - this term" page for more details.
3rd June 2007: Updated on the Sponsored Swim 2007:
As you know, swimmers from Ollie Otters and Waitrose swam a mile for three charities on 31st March. It's a big "Well Done!" to all the swimmers - so far between them they have raised over over £3640 for the three charities!! The breakdown is
Please contact Karen at Ollie Otters if you have any outstanding donations. Thank You.
You can read more and see pictures from the night on the Sponsored Swim Report page.
2nd April 2007: Sponsored Swim 2007 Report:
Swimmers from Ollie Otters and Waitrose swam a mile for three charities on Saturday night, 31st March. Read all about it, see the pictures and find out how much they raised on the Sponsored Swim Report page.