For parents of children aged 0–11+ who know swimming needs to happen, but haven't found a school where the teachers actually care and the progress actually sticks.
If any of these feel a bit too accurate, you're in the right place.
Most swim schools aren't doing anything deliberately wrong. They're just built to fill as many slots as possible, which means quality drops.
6-12 per class and one teacher. Your child spends most of the lesson standing on the side watching others.
Rotating staff who don't know your child, packed changing rooms, and a curriculum designed to move groups through. Not to develop individual swimmers.
No progression, no continuity, no relationship with a teacher. Kids need repetition and consistency to build real confidence in water.
Everything about Max Johnston Swimming is designed to give your child the best possible chance of progressing and genuinely enjoying it.
While most schools pack 10–12 kids into a lane, every MJ Swimming class has a maximum of 5. Your child gets seen, coached, and noticed every single week.
The teachers stay with the same class and don't get moved around. Your child builds a relationship and trust that accelerates their confidence and learning.
Badge milestones every 8–10 weeks, regular progress updates, and a structured curriculum that moves at your child's pace.
Holiday gifts, birthday messages, and a WhatsApp channel for parents. MJ Swimming feels like a school your family genuinely belongs to.
Fill in the form and Max will be in touch within 48 hours to confirm your spot or add you to the priority waitlist.
Check If There's a Space for My Child100% money-back guarantee on your first lesson · No long-term commitment
It takes about 2 minutes to get the ball rolling.
Tell us your child's age, which days work for you, and your preferred pool location.
Max will confirm whether there's a space available, or add you to the waitlist with an estimated wait time.
Turn up, meet Max & the team, and watch your child take to the water. Covered by our money-back guarantee. Zero risk.
I started Max Johnston Swimming because I believe every child deserves to feel confident and happy in the water. Not just able to survive it.
Every lesson is personal. We get to know each child, work at their pace, and make sure they're progressing every week. That's why parents keep coming back and why their kids actually look forward to lessons.
With 200+ children enrolled across the North West, this isn't just a swim school. It's a community built on real results.
All from Google Reviews, unedited. See all our reviews →
Max is an absolute superstar! He's so understanding with my son and has really helped develop his confidence in the water. My son loves swimming and Max always makes lessons fun. Max also adapted his approach for my very water nervous daughter. Honestly Max will go above and beyond to make children happy and promote their confidence in the water.
Rebecca SmithAmazing guy, has a lot of patience for every child and always has a smile on his face. A job isn't a job when you love what you do, and Max's passion for this really shows every lesson!
JadeKaysha and Max have been great with Adam. He has progressed much quicker than we expected and genuinely loves his swimming lessons. Highly recommend their classes.
Hannah Sultan MutchAll sessions are held at fully staffed leisure centres with changing facilities.
⚠ Timetables are subject to change — we'll always give you plenty of notice
68 John St, Whitworth, Rochdale OL12 8DB
Manchester Rd, Rochdale OL11 3AF
Hudsons Walk, Rochdale OL11 5EF
No hidden fees. No long-term contracts. Just great lessons. And if you ever need to leave, there's no notice period required — just let us know.
Parent-assisted water confidence for babies and toddlers. Building a love of water from the very beginning.
Max 5 pairs per classWeekend lessons and advanced Wednesday sessions for older swimmers. Focused on technique and real progression.
Max 5 per classClasses are strictly capped at 5 children compared to 6-12 at most local schools. The difference in individual attention is night and day.
Lessons are weekly and paid monthly by direct debit, collected on the 1st of each month.
If your child doesn't enjoy their first lesson for any reason, you'll get a full refund. No questions asked. That's how confident we are that this will be the right fit for your family.
Everything you need to know before signing up.