GirlsIndependent

Withington Girls' School

Manchester, Manchester, North West · M14 6BL

Founded in 1890, Withington Girls' School is an independent, non-denominational day school for girls in Manchester, taking pupils from age 7 through to the sixth form. With 589 pupils on roll it sits comfortably in the medium-size band, and a sixth form of 164 anchors the senior end of the school. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education quality and personal development, though it should be noted that the compliance standards were judged not met at inspection. A non-selective ethos on faith combines with academic entry at 11+, giving the school a clear scholarly focus.

589

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£19,998

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 7-18
Pupils: 589
Pupil:teacher ratio: 20
Location: Manchester, Manchester, North West
Website: www.wgs.org
Telephone: 0161 224 1077

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Headmistress Mrs Sarah Haslam

Latest results

Attainment 8

48.8

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

93%

A-level A*-A

75%

A-level A*-B

91%

Teaching & academics

Academic results are strong across both stages: 93% of GCSE entries reach grades 9-7, and at A-level three quarters achieve A*-A with 91% at A*-B. The sciences and mathematics are clearly popular, with Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Biology among the most-taken A-levels, alongside humanities such as History and Government and Politics. Pupils can also pursue an EPQ and a range of languages including Chinese and German. The headline Attainment 8 score of 48.8 edges above the national average of 46.9.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 164

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsFurther MathematicsChemistryBiologyEnglish LiteratureHistoryGovernment and PoliticsPsychology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 10.32%
EHC plans: 0.13%

Arts & extracurricular

Languages

SpanishFrenchGermanChinese

Popular GCSE subjects

PhysicsChemistryBiologyMathematicsEnglishHistoryGeographySpanishFrench

Sport

Main sports

NetballFootballBadmintonVolleyballLacrosseCricketHockeyTouch Rugby

Beyond the classroom

Sport spans a wide programme, from netball, lacrosse and hockey to cricket, volleyball, badminton and football. The breadth on offer suggests room for both committed team players and those wanting to try something new.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1890
Religious character: Non-denom
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Pupils in years 7-10 are required to hand in their phone at the start of the school day and collect it at the end of the day. Pupils in year 11 and the sixth form may keep their phones in bags or lockers but they must remain switched off and out of sight at all times. Any phones that are seen or heard by staff on school premises will be confiscated apart from those used in the Sixth form common room, in late stay or by pupils in line with a school medical plan.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £19,008 - £19,998
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 4 February 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A long-established Manchester girls' school with consistently high exam outcomes and a science-led sixth form. Means-tested bursaries help widen access to annual day fees of around £19,000-£20,000.

The Passmate verdict