Withington Girls’ School, operating in the vicinity of Manchester, stands as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic development for young women aged seven to 18. As a girls-only primary and secondary day school, it offers an environment where students are encouraged to discover their talents and think independently. The school prides itself on its inclusive all-faiths ethos, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and providing them with a nurturing environment that celebrates learning and fosters a strong sense of community.
The academic achievements of Withington Girls’ School are truly remarkable. In the Times 2024 Parent Power Rankings, the school is positioned at 26, a testament to its consistent performance in national league tables. The school’s A-level results are impressive, with 40.7% achieving A* grades and 76.8% securing A*/A grades. At GCSE level, the results are equally outstanding, with 81.5% of students attaining A*/9/8 grades and 93.6% achieving A*/A/9/8/7 grades. These exceptional results highlight the school’s dedication to academic excellence and its role as a gateway to some of Britain’s top universities.
The Headmistress, Sarah Haslam, has been part of the Withington community since 1995 and has served as head since 2016. Her leadership style is characterised by poise and calmness, ensuring that every pupil is known and supported. She emphasises a love of learning among students, encouraging them to fulfil their potential and find their place in the world. Her commitment to pastoral care is evident through initiatives such as
o homework weeks for senior pupils and enrichment sessions focusing on mental health.
Entrance to Withington Girls’ School is competitive, with around 80-85 Year 7 places available each year. The selection process includes exams in English, Maths, and verbal reasoning, followed by interviews for successful candidates. The school values individual thinking and originality, seeking students who demonstrate curiosity about the world around them.
The curriculum at Withington Girls’ School is broad-based, offering a wide range of subjects from the outset. Students study core subjects such as Maths, English, and Sciences alongside options in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), humanities, arts, and technology. The school places a strong emphasis on STEM subjects at A-level while also encouraging students to explore the arts, drama, and languages.
Parents consistently praise the school’s academic standards as amazing, with lessons described as fast-paced yet supportive. The school fosters confidence-building through a try again approach rather than pressuring students. There is no gifted and talented stream; instead, scholarship is embedded in the school’s culture. For those considering Oxbridge applications, subject extension work is available alongside mentoring from alumnae.
Withington Girls’ School offers extensive extra-curricular opportunities across various fields. Drama productions are popular, with annual performances involving students from different year groups. Musical opportunities abound with choirs, ensembles, and regular concerts showcasing student talent. The school also excels in sports, with netball and lacrosse teams achieving success at county and national levels.
The school’s ethos is rooted in its founding mission to provide equal educational opportunities for girls as their male counterparts. Inside its modern facilities lies a vibrant community where collaboration is encouraged through spaces like the Hub—a communal area designed for interaction and creativity.
Pastoral care at Withington Girls’ School is exemplary; tutors meet pupils twice daily to monitor wellbeing closely while senior girls offer peer support through subject coaching or confidence mentoring programs when needed.
The diverse mix of pupils reflects Greater Manchester’s multicultural landscape—parents note that race or colour isn’t considered an issue here due to inclusivity being ingrained within school culture.
Overall communication between parents remains strong thanks largely due half-termly reports keeping families informed about progress made by daughters attending this prestigious institution which seeks empower young women cultivate wide-ranging interests embrace challenges they face during formative years education journey ahead them beyond graduation day itself too!
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