Horsham Swim School

The vast majority of our swimmers come from within a 3 mile radius of our swim school and therefor will be affected by this proposed take over of North Horsham Parish council hence sharing this rare non swimming related post.

The most important thing you can do is take part in the public consultation.
Residents are encouraged to attend the forthcoming Extraordinary Meeting of North Horsham Parish Council to hear both sides of the debate before deciding how to respond to the Community Governance Review.
A few days ago I published what I felt was a balanced and reasonably neutral post explaining that a proposal had been made to merge North Horsham Parish Council with Horsham Town Council, creating one larger parish council. I also outlined some of the potential benefits because I believe residents deserve to hear both sides of the argument before making up their minds.
Since then, more information has come to light.
The recommendation to proceed to consultation was made by the Governance Committee at Horsham District Council, where the proposal was supported by the Liberal Democrat majority. Although the proposal is described as a merger, many people within North Horsham Parish Council believe it feels much more like a takeover of a long-established, independent, non-political parish council by a politically controlled town council.
North Horsham Parish Council has served local residents for around 132 years. During that time it has built up significant financial reserves, owns modern community buildings and council offices, has a substantial council tax precept, and has developed a strong reputation for representing the communities it serves.
It is therefore understandable that many residents are asking one simple question:
Who actually benefits most from these proposals?
To be fair, there are arguments in favour of a larger council. A single authority could potentially simplify governance, reduce duplication and provide a stronger voice for the wider Horsham area. Those arguments deserve to be heard.
However, from my own perspective, I struggle to see what North Horsham residents gain that outweighs the loss of their own parish council, its identity and its political independence.
I also recognise that I am a politician myself and therefore, like everyone involved, I have my own views. One thing I have always respected is that the overwhelming majority of parish councils operate without party politics. Personally, I believe that has served North Horsham well and I would be disappointed to see that independence disappear.
To give balance, the Leader of Horsham District Council, Martin Boffey, has said that the people should decide and that the proposals should go out to public consultation. It is difficult to argue with that principle. If residents support the proposals after reading the evidence, then I believe that democratic decision should be respected. Equally, if residents reject the proposals, I hope that decision will also be respected.
To give balance, the Leader of Horsham District Council, Martin Boffey, has said that the people should decide and that the proposals should go out to public consultation. It is difficult to argue with that principle. If residents support the proposals after reading the evidence, then I believe that democratic decision should be respected. Equally, if residents reject the proposals, I hope that decision will also be respected.
However, whilst it is difficult to argue with the principle that people should decide, I do have concerns about how we arrived at this second consultation.
The first stage of the Community Governance Review attracted a number of responses and, from the published results, around 70% of respondents did not support a full merger of North Horsham Parish Council and Horsham Town Council. On that basis, I personally questioned whether it was appropriate to spend further public money on a second consultation when there appeared to be little public appetite for pursuing a full merger.
That was one of the reasons I spoke against the recommendation at the Governance Committee. In my view, if a clear majority of respondents in the first consultation were not supportive of a merger, there should have been a much stronger justification for progressing the proposal further.
The proposal to continue the review was brought before the Governance Committee following nominations by six Liberal Democrat District Councillors, and it was subsequently supported by the Liberal Democrat majority on the committee. It is for that reason that I personally believe the proposal has a political element, and why I have concerns that this is, at least in part, an attempt to expand the boundaries and influence of the Liberal Democrat-controlled Horsham Town Council.
That is, of course, my opinion, and residents are entitled to reach a different conclusion. Ultimately, the consultation now belongs to the public, and I would encourage everyone to read the information available, attend the Extraordinary Meeting if they can, and then decide for themselves before submitting their response
One thing that has surprised me is the strength of feeling expressed by many serving North Horsham Parish Councillors. A significant number have publicly voiced concerns and oppose the proposal. Some have even described it as a "hostile takeover", arguing that a merger normally implies both organisations genuinely wish to come together.
North Horsham Parish Council has therefore called an Extraordinary Meeting.
📅 Thursday 30th July 2026
🕢 Commencing at 7.30pm
This is a meeting of the Parish Council held in public, rather than a public meeting. That means everyone is welcome to attend and observe the meeting.
There is normally a 15-minute public participation session at the beginning of the meeting, where residents can ask questions or make comments. The Chairman also has the discretion to extend this period if appropriate.
Whether you support the proposals...
Whether you oppose them...
Or whether you simply want to understand what is happening...
Please come along and listen.
You don't have to agree with me or anyone else. This is about ensuring local people have the opportunity to hear the debate before forming their own opinion.
Many people have never attended a Parish Council meeting before, but this may prove to be one of the most important meetings in the council's recent history.
The proposals could affect:
• The future identity of North Horsham Parish Council.
• How local services are delivered.
• Who makes decisions on behalf of residents.
• The future ownership and management of council assets and financial reserves.
• Your parish council precept and, ultimately, the council tax you pay.
Most importantly... please complete the consultation.
The consultation asks residents to choose between two options.
OPTION 1
Merge the whole of North Horsham Parish Council with the Liberal Democrat-controlled Horsham Town Council, creating one larger parish council. This would also include the parts of the Mowbray development currently within Rusper Parish.
OPTION 2
Keep North Horsham Parish Council and Horsham Town Council as two separate councils, but:
• Transfer the Kingslea Ward from Horsham Town into North Horsham Parish.
• Transfer the Mowbray development from Rusper Parish into North Horsham Parish.
Personally, I have always opposed Option 1 because I believe North Horsham would lose its independence and identity.
However, Option 2 has some merits and I am still considering whether it represents a sensible compromise or whether I will vote for neither option. I intend to listen carefully to the debate before submitting my own response.
The consultation allows you:
✅ 100 words to explain why you support your chosen option.
✅ A further 100 words on the following page to expand on your reasoning.
That is not a lot of space, so it is well worth spending a little time researching the facts, attending the Parish Council meeting if you can, and thinking carefully about your response before submitting it.
If you already have questions that you would like the Parish Council to consider, you may wish to email them in advance to the Parish Clerk at:
[email protected]
The Parish Clerk has also asked that, if you are planning to attend and are able to let her know in advance, it would be greatly appreciated. The meeting is open to everyone and you do not need to book or receive an invitation to attend.
However, knowing roughly how many people are coming will help the Parish Council arrange a meeting room with sufficient seating for everyone.
Whether you support Option 1, support Option 2 or oppose both proposals altogether, your opinion genuinely matters.
Please don't assume someone else will speak on your behalf.
Take part in the consultation here:
https://www.horsham.gov.uk/.../horsham-district-community...
Whatever your view, please get involved.
✔️ Attend the meeting.
✔️ Listen to the debate.
✔️ Read the information.
✔️ Complete the consultation.
✔️ Encourage your neighbours to do the same.
The future of North Horsham Parish Council is now in the hands of the people it serves. See less

☀️ Hot Weather Update – Business as Usual at Horsham Swim School ☀️
Our pool environment is actually not vastly different from normal conditions. The pool is usually heated to 33.6°C and the air temperature is normally around 29°C, so we are already used to operating in warm conditions.

To help keep things comfortable today, we have:
Reduced the pool temperature to 32°C

Turned the air heating off

Opened all patio doors and windows

Set the extract ventilation system to full power

Positioned an additional fan near the changing area

At 11:43am, the air temperature was 30.7°C. I do expect this to rise during the afternoon, potentially reaching around 32°C indoors.

The water will feel noticeably more refreshing than usual with the reduced pool temperature. In fact, some swimmers may even find it feels slightly cool when they first get in!

With all the doors open and fresh air flowing through, it feels a little like being on holiday today—more like an outdoor pool than an indoor one.

My only recommendation would be to bring a bottle of water with you and stay well hydrated.

For us, it's very much business as usual—just with some free heat that we're not paying for!

Of course, if you do not feel comfortable travelling or changing in the hot weather, you are welcome to cancel your lesson via the app up to one minute before the start of your class. This will generate a make-up token that can be used to book an alternative lesson later this term.

More details on how to cancel and amend lessons if needed.

Our software portal now allows customers to notify us of absences online, 24 hours a day. As soon as you let us know you can’t attend a class, the system will automatically generate a make-up token, which can be used to book a free replacement class before the end of the term.

The golden rule:
You must notify us in advance via the app or portal if you are unable to attend. If you do not notify us, unfortunately the class will be lost.

Second golden rule: Make-up classes cannot be rebooked. Once you book a make-up class and use your token, it is considered used—even if you later can’t attend. Unfortunately, the system does not allow these to be moved or reinstated.
For this reason, please only book a make-up class when your child is 100% fit and well. It’s absolutely fine to book on the morning you wish to attend.
You can book up to seven days in advance, but we strongly recommend waiting until the day of the class to avoid any issues.

We hope you understand this is fair — teacher time, heating, and pool hire are all paid for in advance, and without notice, the space cannot be offered to another swimmer. Please note that email notifications are no longer accepted; all absences must be logged online.

Getting Started

Please register and download the app using the link below:

https://www.thinksmartsoftwareuk.com/misc/customer_portal/customer_portal_link.php?server=UK&product=swimbiz&customer_id=6970A3288487A&page_to_navigate_to=HomePage&page_to_navigate_to_params=%7B%7D

You can use this same link to access the ThinkSmart customer portal via a desktop or laptop. Once you have registered, you may find it helpful to bookmark or save this page so you can easily report absences from your home or work computer.

Personally, I find the portal very easy to use, but both the app and the online portal work well — so please use whichever suits you best.

Beware that if downloading from the app store thinksmart have an app and a portal, its the customer portal that is blue in colour the version that you need to download.

Once you are registered and set up, you can begin notifying us of any absences — for the upcoming term.

How to Book a Make-Up Class
Click the link above, install and register for the app (or use the online portal)
Notify us in advance of any absence — this will generate your make-up token
Use your token to book a make-up class during the term

Please note:

Make-up classes can only be booked up to 7 days in advance
Bookings are limited to availability within the coming week
Please ensure your child is fit and well before attending a make-up class

Watch How It Works

You can watch a short video guide on how to book a make-up class here:
https://horshamswimschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/rpreplay_final1775492208.mp4

Trouble shooting,

Frequently Asked Questions – Customer Portal
Q. I am having trouble with the portal and unable to log in
A. Please ensure you have registered before attempting to log in. You must create an account first. The Register button can be found in the bottom right-hand corner once you click the link.

Q. I am logged in but can’t see my child/children
A. The email address you use to log in must exactly match the one we have on file for your account. You must also be the lead contact on the account. In some cases, you may need to register and log in using your partner’s email address instead.

Q. I am unable to use the app, but the portal works online
A. Please make sure you have installed the correct app. The customer app is the ThinkSmart Portal (blue icon) available on the app store. The white app is for business use only and will not work for customers.

Q. I can’t seem to book any make-up classes
A. To book a make-up class, you must first notify the system (via the portal) that your child will miss a lesson. If this was not done in advance, the class is considered used and cannot be credited for a make-up.

Q. I can only see a few days ahead and none are suitable
A. The portal allows make-up classes to be booked up to one week in advance only. Please log back in later during the term to view additional availability and book a suitable session.

Q. I can’t seem to move a make up class that I’ve booked.
A. Make-up classes cannot be moved, cancelled, or amended once booked. Please ensure you are fully able to attend before confirming your booking. To help with this, make-up classes can only be booked up to one week in advance.

Q. I thought I was owed a catch-up class from earlier in the year but can’t see it on the app
A. The system only tracks attendance from 8th April 2026 onwards. Any classes missed before this date will not appear on the portal. However, if you did miss a class before 8th April and informed us (or if a class was cancelled), please email Tony with proof (e.g. email notification), and we will manually add a make-up token to your account.

Q. Do make-up sessions expire?
A. No, make-up sessions do not expire. However, you must still be an active pupil and booked into lessons in order to use them. Make-up sessions cannot be used to extend lessons beyond your booking period. If you leave the swim school, the system will not allow you to book make-up sessions after your final lesson date.

horshamswimschool.co.uk

RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week is an annual, water safety campaign designed to educate children and young adults in water safety and lifesaving skills.

Drowning Prevention Week educates children aged 5 to 17 each June with crucial water safety advice just before the summer
holidays, when young people are outdoors more and need these skills and knowledge most, so everyone can enjoy water safely.
In accordance with the RLSS Drowning Prevention Week we shall be running our water safety lesson on 15th to 21st June

Please can your child/ren wear their normal swimming shorts/costume with an old pair of shorts and a T - shirt over the top. Please note that no hats or goggles will be allowed for this session unless for medical reasons.

This is a very important event for both pupils and parents to enjoy. For more information, please take a look at the RLSS Drowning Prevention Week website.

Cant make a class? Please let us know. Full details below.

Swimming Assistan Mondays – Part Time (Age 15+)

Horsham Swim School is looking for an enthusiastic Swimming Assistant to join our friendly team on Monday afternoons.

This role would suit a strong swimmer with an interest in a future career in swimming teaching or coaching. Applicants are likely to be current or former competitive swimmers, swim squad members, or confident school swimmers looking to gain experience in a professional private swim school environment.

Hours: Monday 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Pay: £9 – £13 per hour depending on age and experience

Many of our assistants go on to become fully qualified swimming teachers, and this is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced Level 2 swimming teachers in a supportive environment. Full training will be provided for the right enthusiastic candidate.

Applicants must be reliable, confident in the water, enjoy working with children, and have a positive attitude.

To apply, please send a short email telling us a little about yourself, your swimming background, and why you would be interested in the role.

A264 closed again. Allow extra time if comming from Crawley. We also had a problem with emails yesterday and apologies if you didn’t get a reply to any emails sent yesterday Wednesday 21st January. Emails now working ok.

🏊‍♂️ Private 1-to-1 & 2-to-1 Swimming Lessons – Limited Off-Peak Slots 🏊‍♂️

We’re often asked about private 1-to-1 swimming lessons, and while Horsham Swim School doesn’t offer daytime 1-to-1s, we’re pleased to share that Matthew Hogben, one of our long-standing instructors, is able to offer off-peak private lessons at the Morriswood pool.

🕒 Available Times (Off-Peak Only)

Monday to Friday

Early mornings: 7:00am – 8:00am

Late evenings: 9:00pm – 10:00pm

(Daytime 9am–7pm is group lessons only. The pool runs Aqua Fit & Aqua Yoga from 7:30pm–9:00pm.)

💷 Prices

£35 – 30-minute 1-to-1 lesson

£45 – 30-minute 2-to-1 lesson

➡️ Payment is made directly to Matthew and bookings are with Matthew directly, not via Horsham Swim School.

🏊‍♀️ Pool Information

Pool size: 12m x 5m

Depth: 90cm – 1.2m

Ideal for beginners and improvers

Not suitable for triathlon training or advanced distance work

👨‍🏫 About Matthew

Matthew is a fully qualified Level 2 swimming teacher, DBS checked, fully insured, and has been teaching with Horsham Swim School for four years.

Key qualifications include:

STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming (2024)

Swim England Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching)

CPR & First Aid – STA Safety Award (valid until Nov 2026)

Enhanced DBS checked

STA Associate Member

Public liability insurance up to £10 million

Matthew also teaches at Three Bs Swim School (Dorking) and Jellyfish Swim School, alongside his private lessons and his shifts at Horsham Swim School.

📞 To Enquire or Book

Contact Matthew directly:
📱 07539 119000
📧 [email protected]

🎄 Private Swimming Pool Hire – Christmas Holidays 🎄

Looking for something fun, warm, and different to do over the Christmas holidays?
Why not book exclusive private use of our lovely heated swimming pool at Morriswood, Horsham 🏊‍♀️✨

✔️ Private hire – just for your family or group
✔️ Warm, clean, indoor pool
✔️ Perfect for families, friends & relaxed festive swims
✔️ No public sessions – you get the pool to yourselves
✔️ Ideal winter activity for children

🎅 Whether it’s a post-Christmas treat, a way to burn off festive energy, or a calm family swim, our private hires are a brilliant option.

📅 Limited availability over the holidays – advance booking essential

👉 Book here:
https://horshamswimschool.co.uk/product/swimming-pool-private-hire/

If you have any questions, feel free to message or comment below.

🎄 Warm water, festive fun, and a stress-free swim – all without the crowds!

Tuesday swimming assistant Required age 15 plus.
Must be a strong swimmer, able to do 25 meters butterfly and have an interest in Swimming, Likley to have have been a squad or competitive swimmer that is looking to progress to become a swimming coach or teacher. Tuesday 3.30pm to 6.30pm. Full training given. To apply please email [email protected] with CV and covering letter explaining why you think you would be ideal for the role?

If you're buying swimwear any time soon, then this is a great safety swimwear guide highlighting the benefits of wearing brightly coloured swimwear 🐠🐠🐠

🌞 By changing to brighter colours, you can help ensure your child is easier to spot when submerged, making it even easier to keep your child under constant supervision when playing and swimming in the water.