Bury Swim School (buryswimschool.co.uk) has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 60 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Sports and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 100% rating it 4 stars or higher. Last updated 2026-08-10.
We were recommended to approach Denise Ramsden after disappointing experiences elsewhere approx 5 yrs ago. Once off their waiting list I commenced the weekly swim run with my grandson. It quickly became evident as to the reason for the recommendation. Sitting pool side where I could observe at first hand, the quality of instruction and patience with its delivery was immediately obvious. He was still nervous initially, had panic/coughing attacks when learning breathing techniques and disliked trying breast stroke. For obvious reasons, he much preferred learning back stroke!! However Denise and then Jake gradually encouraged him to tackle each of his fears in a firm but fun way with quips and individual feedback. They both seem to have a natural ability to communicate with the children without being too authoritative. Instead they gain their trust and cooperation. As others have commented, their emphasis is not to rush the pupils through a series of badges but more importantly to concentrate on their techniques. After all it is this which could save their lives when away from the safe, guarded environment of the school pool ! Somehow they also manage to monitor and communicate with each and every one of the pupils during the lesson so none of them feel left out. Under this regime my grandson progressed not only with mastering his breathing, but his speeds improved using his newly learned techniques. Breast stroke has now become his favourite and fastest style of swimming. We now have a true water baby, who loves his time in the pool each week but is also a confident and happy swimmer in the sea and lakes. I cannot recommend Bury Swim School highly enough! They are a credit not only to themselves but to Bury Grammar school whose premises they use to produce these confident young swimmers.
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Sarah Hastry · 1 review · Experienced 2023-07-23 ·
★★★★★
Our experience
My daughter has been swimming at Bury Swim School for the last year. The lessons are fun, friendly, include maximum participation (so the children get the most out of the session) and most importantly, teach them the correct swimming styles. Everyone we’ve encountered, from the young poolside assistants to the teachers, have been friendly and welcoming.
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Consumer · 1 review · Experienced 2023-06-28 ·
★★★★★
The Swim School is absolutely brilliant…
The Swim School is absolutely brilliant - our daughter has become so confident since she started and can’t wait for her next lesson! Denise is kind and patient with the children and the small group sizes are really beneficial.
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Rossendale · 3 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-23 ·
★★★★★
Fantastic swim school
My son’s experience with water and swimming was delayed thanks to the pandemic. Despite this, he has become confident in the water and is now able to swim without aids just in time for his first family holiday abroad.
He has SEN needs but has managed to build strong relationships with the instructors at the school. The smaller class sizes have also helped massively with this.
Most importantly, he has a good understanding of how to stay safe around water which is something a lot of lessons don’t offer.
Bottom line… He loves his lessons and can’t wait to use the hotel pool on holiday!
J
Jennifer Molloy · 1 review · Experienced 2023-07-23 ·
★★★★★
Amazing!!!
Amazing! My little girl has been afraid of water from being a baby , she was 4 when she started swimming due to her fear of water. A work colleague suggested bury swim school so we booked a block of lessons and I can’t believe how much confidence she has gained in the 12 months she’s been going !!! Thank you to Denise , Amy and Megan for all your help and expertise to help our little girl gain confidence in water and be able to swim comfortably!
Bury swim schoolGreat swim school Megan is an excellent…
Great swim school Megan is an excellent teacher and my granddaughter has been nurtured through all her lessons whilst aiming for continuous improvement. Really valuable personal experience and the continuity means they have all made friends
Bury Swim School has been a great addition to my daughters extra curricular activities. Excellent value for money, although you can’t put a price on learning a life experience! I would have liked we started lessons earlier prior to the pandemic, as what we were left with was a child terrified of water. Miss Ramsden has built my daughters confidence in the water at a manageable pace, and we are seeing marked improvement in all aspects of her swimming. Her demeanour with the children is fun but firm, which is exactly what is needed in that environment. I’m super grateful for this swim school, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend other parents get their children on the wait list.
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HC · 15 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-20 ·
★★★★★
Jake is great with the children
Jake is great with the children, understanding what makes them tick to get the best out of them. The focus on technique is great - this is far more than jumping in and just swimming up and down!
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Caroline Jones · 3 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-20 ·
★★★★★
Brilliant for beginners
Our son really enjoys his lessons at Bury Swim school - the small pool and small class sizes are perfect for beginners and were ideal for him starting off as he was quite nervous. His confidence and ability have grown massively and it’s a lovely, calm and positive environment.
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Becky · 1 review · Experienced 2023-07-18 ·
★★★★★
My daughter loves her lessons at Bury…
My daughter loves her lessons at Bury Swim School and has come on leaps and bounds since she started.
I have recommended the swim school to other parents at my daughters school when they've been looking for great swimming lessons for their children.
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Jane L · 1 review · Experienced 2023-07-17 ·
★★★★★
Bury Swim School
We’ve used Bury Swim School for years. Both my children are learning to swim here, 1 at BGS pool
& the other at Haymarket. I can honestly say the instructors are great! Caring, fun & also straight talking which is sometimes needed too.
Denise is available to speak to on the phone when needed & I have even borrowed floats from them when going on holiday- they really do care about the service & go above & beyond.
1 point to mention, BGS facilities could be cleaner when we arrive after the school day.
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Emma Walker · 5 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-19 ·
★★★★★
Excellent swim school with great…
Excellent swim school with great teachers and fantastic facilities. Harry has been attending since he was small and loves his lessons. Keep up to goof work.
We took both of our children from a young age to Bury Swim School after several recommendations from other school parents. We have never regretted it. The standard of teaching is high - all of the instructors are very experienced and the class sizes are kept small so that your child is never overlooked. Both of the pools that BSS use are excellent with good changing facilities and importantly for us, you are also able to watch the lessons from the poolside. Highly recommended.
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Jan Nield · 4 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-18 ·
★★★★★
Excellent
My three grandchildren all have lessons with Miss Ramsden. They are all at different stages & thoroughly enjoy their time in the pool
Excellent standard of teaching. highly recommended
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Beca · 5 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-19 ·
★★★★★
Great swim school
We have 2 children that go here and we have always been really pleased with the progress they have made and how quickly they pick things up. The school concentrates on technique and getting the kids swimming properly, both kids love their lessons and look forward to them each week
Miss Ramsden, Jake and all the swim instructors my son has been taught by have been fabulous. We travel 20 minutes to get to the lessons. My son's swimming has massively improved and the more local swim providers do not compare to the high quality teaching and care that Bury Swim school provide. We've been attending now for over a year and can't wait to see the ongoing development that future years of instruction provide to him. Thanks so much Miss Ramsden and the team.
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Richard Sales · 1 review · Experienced 2023-07-18 ·
★★★★★
Bury Swim School
Denise and her team at Bury Swim School have played a crucial role in nurturing and teaching my son how to swim over the years. Ben started his journey with Denise in the small pool at Haymarket centre and has recently progressed to the pool at Bury Grammar. He loves it! He now has great confidence in the water and fully understands the importance of being able to swim. The lessons are delivered punctually and to a high standard with progression noted every week without compromising the fun element of being in the water. He always asks when we leave how long until his next lesson! I am hoping to start my daughter with Bury Swim school as soon as she is ready. Keep it up Denise and thank you!
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Debs · 4 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-18 ·
★★★★★
Bury Swim School Experience
I cannot compliment Bury Swim School enough for engaging with my daughter, who was terrified of swimming a few months ago, to be confident in the water. Denise and Megan are fantastic
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Hannah · 5 reviews · Experienced 2023-07-18 ·
★★★★★
Bury swim school is fantastic
Bury swim school is fantastic - Swimming tuition is of a high quality with a firm foundation of technique. Miss Ramsden has an ability to engage the children in enjoying their lesson and balances this with holding their attention throughout. Both of my children have had lessons with miss Ramsden, my eldest having 3 previous teachers and I have been most impressed with Bury swim school!
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Elizabeth · 3 reviews · Experienced 2023-06-20 ·
★★★★★
Bury Swim School
Denise Ramsden runs an excellent swim school and has taught our son for a number of years. She is an experienced and kind teacher whom I would recommend without hesitation.
