Kingston Teacher Andy Dormer Wins Puddle Ducks Star Award 2026

Key Points

• Andy Dormer, a swimming teacher from Kingston, has been named Puddle Ducks National Star Teacher for 2025 after nine years with Puddle Ducks South West London.
• The award recognises exceptional technique, inspiring confidence in young swimmers, and praise from families, selected from UK-wide nominations.
• Dormer previously won the local Star Teacher award five times.
• Nominated by parent Louis, whose daughter progressed from nervous at 10 months to confident independent swimmer at nearly four years old in the Dippers class at Strathmore at Grey Court School.
• Louis praised Dormer’s patient, calm, and gentle approach, crediting him for transforming his daughter’s confidence and making swimming a favourite activity.
• John Challinor, CEO of NationMedia (publishers of SwimNation), selected the winning nomination and commended Dormer’s rapport with children and parents, focus on improvement, family involvement, and gentle encouragement.
• Dormer expressed satisfaction in guiding children from first swims to confident swimmers and pride in the award reflecting family recognition.
• Puddle Ducks South West London teaches children from birth to 10 years across local pools, fostering life skills and love of water.

Kingston upon Thames (South London News) March 24, 2026 – An inspirational swimming teacher from Kingston has been honoured with the prestigious Puddle Ducks National Star Teacher Award for 2025, recognising his transformative impact on young swimmers and their families.

Andy Dormer, who has dedicated nine years to teaching with Puddle Ducks South West London, stood out among nominations from across the UK. The award celebrates teachers who excel in technique, build confidence in babies and children in the water, and earn heartfelt praise from the families they serve. Dormer’s achievement marks a national pinnacle, building on his five previous local Star Teacher awards.

Who is Andy Dormer and What Makes Him Stand Out?

Andy Dormer has become a cornerstone of swimming education in Kingston, guiding countless children from their earliest water encounters to confident swimmers. As reported in the original coverage by South London News, Dormer teaches in the Dippers class at Strathmore at Grey Court School, where his methods have profoundly affected pupils like Louis’s daughter.

The nomination from Louis, a parent whose child has swum with Dormer since 10 months old, highlights Dormer’s exceptional qualities. Louis stated:

“Andy has been teaching our daughter to swim since she was just 10 months old, and now, at nearly four, the progress she has made is incredible. When she first started, she was very trepidatious in the water and nervous around others, but Andy’s patient, calm and gentle approach completely transformed her confidence.”

He added:

“Thanks to his dedication, our daughter now swims independently and absolutely loves the water. We feel so lucky to have found Andy – he truly goes above and beyond and has made swimming one of our daughter’s favourite activities.”

This personal testimony underscores Dormer’s ability to foster not just skills, but joy and independence in swimming. His nine-year tenure with Puddle Ducks South West London has seen him teach across local pools, serving children from birth to 10 years old.

What is the Puddle Ducks National Star Teacher Award?

The National Star Teacher Award, administered by Puddle Ducks, honours instructors who demonstrate outstanding technique and inspirational teaching. It draws nominations nationwide, with winners selected for their proven impact on young swimmers’ confidence and family engagement.

John Challinor, CEO of NationMedia—publishers of SwimNation—personally selected Dormer’s winning nomination. As reported by South London News, Challinor said:

“This is obviously a teacher who is able to build and maintain a rapport with the children – and the parents – that they are working with over a long period of time. By being able to identify and focus on areas that help children improve – and to involve parents in supporting their child’s progress – means that the activity becomes not just a learning process, but one where a family is able to spend quality time together in a shared experience that they all enjoy. To gently encourage children to push themselves a little further each week, whilst maintaining a calm and reassuring presence, is surely at the heart of good swimming teaching. I just wish I’d had access to Puddle Ducks when I was young.”

Challinor’s comments emphasise the award’s focus on holistic development, blending technical prowess with emotional support. Dormer’s five prior local wins position him as a consistent performer, now elevated to national recognition for 2025.

How Did Andy Dormer’s Journey to the Award Unfold?

Dormer’s path reflects steady excellence. Over nine years, he has honed his skills with Puddle Ducks South West London, an organisation that teaches essential life skills through fun, developmental swimming programmes. The franchise operates across South West London pools, reaching thousands of children and instilling a lifelong love of water.

His national win stems directly from family nominations, with Louis’s detailed account proving decisive. This grassroots recognition aligns with Puddle Ducks’ ethos, where parent feedback drives awards. Dormer’s repeated local successes—five Star Teacher honours—demonstrate sustained impact, culminating in this UK-wide accolade.

What Did Andy Dormer Say About His Win?

In response to the award, Dormer shared his fulfilment in the role. As covered by South London News, he said:

“It’s incredibly satisfying being able to share and guide a child’s progress from first encounters with swimming, be it shortly after birth or as a feisty toddler, on to confident and capable swimmers. The recognition reflected by this award comes directly from the families involved and I’m proud to be part of their swim journey.”

Dormer’s words convey humility and passion, crediting families for the honour. His pride in shared journeys resonates with the award’s family-centric criteria.

Why Does This Award Matter for Swimming Education?

This accolade spotlights the vital role of specialised teachers in early water safety. In the UK, where drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death for young children, programmes like Puddle Ducks address critical needs. Dormer’s success model—patience, progress tracking, and parent involvement—offers a blueprint for effective teaching.

What is Puddle Ducks South West London and Where Do They Teach?

Puddle Ducks South West London delivers tailored lessons for babies and children up to 10 years, emphasising fun and safety. Classes span local pools, including Strathmore at Grey Court School in Kingston, where Dormer instructs the Dippers group for toddlers.

The programme helps thousands master swimming fundamentals, transforming initial fears into enthusiasm. As per the South London News report, it promotes quality family time alongside skill-building, aligning with Challinor’s praise for shared experiences.

How Has Dormer’s Teaching Impacted Families Like Louis’s?

Louis’s nomination provides concrete evidence of Dormer’s influence. Starting at 10 months, his daughter overcame trepidation through Dormer’s gentle methods, achieving independent swimming by nearly four. Louis noted:

“Andy has been teaching our daughter to swim since she was just 10 months old, and now, at nearly four, the progress she has made is incredible… Thanks to his dedication, our daughter now swims independently and absolutely loves the water.”

Such transformations extend beyond technique, boosting confidence and family bonding. Dormer’s approach—calm, patient, and dedicated—exemplifies best practices.

What Role Did John Challinor Play in the Selection?

As CEO of NationMedia, Challinor judged nominations for SwimNation. His endorsement of Dormer focused on long-term rapport and gentle progression. Challinor remarked:

“This is obviously a teacher who is able to build and maintain a rapport with the children – and the parents… I just wish I’d had access to Puddle Ducks when I was young.”

Challinor’s expertise lends weight to the award, validating Dormer’s methods nationally.

What Broader Lessons Can Be Drawn for Parents Seeking Swim Lessons?

For Kingston and South London families, Dormer’s story highlights Puddle Ducks’ value. Parents should seek teachers with proven rapport, like Dormer’s track record. Early starts—from birth—yield remarkable progress, as Louis attests.

How Does This Fit into UK Swimming Initiatives?

The award aligns with national efforts like Swim England campaigns for water confidence. Puddle Ducks contributes by prioritising fun, reducing barriers to lifelong swimming.

Looking Ahead: Dormer’s Future with Puddle Ducks

Dormer continues teaching, inspiring more families. His national status may draw further nominations, sustaining his legacy. Puddle Ducks South West London benefits, reinforcing its reputation in Kingston and beyond.