Withington Girls' School
School summary
Founded in 1890, Withington Girls' School is a non-denominational independent day school in Manchester educating girls from 7 to 18. With 589 pupils, it sits in the medium-size band and maintains a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 20. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education quality and personal development, though parents should note that its most recent compliance judgement was not met. Means-tested bursaries help widen access alongside annual day fees of roughly £19,000 to £20,000.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
93%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
75%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
91%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 4 February 2025
Teaching & academics
Academic results here are striking: 93% of GCSE entries reached grades 9-7, against a national average of just 23%, and at A-level 75% achieved A*-A compared with 28% nationally. The curriculum leans confidently towards the sciences and mathematics, with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths popular at GCSE and Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology prominent at A-level. Alongside GCSEs and A-levels, pupils can take the Extended Project Qualification, and language choices stretch to Spanish, French, German and Chinese. The sixth form of 164 pupils suggests a strong pipeline into demanding university courses.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Headmistress · Mrs Sarah Haslam
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 164
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport is broad and team-oriented, spanning netball, lacrosse, hockey, cricket, football, badminton, volleyball and touch rugby. The range gives girls plenty of scope to find a discipline that suits them, whether competitive or recreational.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1890
- Religious character
- Non-denom
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 10.32%
- EHC plans
- 0.13%
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.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £19,008 - £19,998
- Bursaries up to
- 100% of fees
Means-tested bursaries available
Schools nearby
Manchester High School for Girls
Manchester, North West
The Manchester Grammar School
Manchester, North West
Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys
Manchester, North West
Manchester Vocational and Learning Academy
Manchester, North West
St Bede's College
North West
Moor Allerton Preparatory School
Manchester, North West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A high-achieving Manchester girls' school where exceptional exam results meet genuine breadth in sport and languages. Families drawn to its academic strength should weigh the excellent education rating against the unmet compliance finding.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Withington Girls' School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.