Withington Girls’ School was founded in 1890 by some of the most influential and visionary citizens of Manchester at that time. The founders wanted their daughters to have the same opportunities as already existed for their sons – so at Withington, girls have always been encouraged to find and pursue their passions, to try new things, and not to feel that any subject or activity is closed to them.
True to its founding principles, Withington is a school where the pleasure of learning is its own reward. The Withington ethos recognises that understanding the value of learning, and knowing how to learn, sustains and enriches us throughout our lives.
The golden rule of respect for self, respect for others and personal responsibility underpins the Withington school community where diversity is celebrated, teamwork valued and every pupil is encouraged to play their part, with older pupils and alumnae providing inspirational role models. The school provides a wide range of opportunities for girls, helping them to achieve their potential, academically, socially and personally.
The School’s A level and GCSE results have been consistently outstanding. Girls who gain a place as a result of the entrance examination normally take GCSE/IGCSE examinations in 9/10 subjects, followed by 3 or 4 A levels. An exciting and varied Enrichment programme offers Sixth Formers courses such as mindfulness, financial literacy and leadership skills. In addition to the Enrichment Programme, which all Sixth Formers follow, many also complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Studies are directed towards encouraging a love of learning for its own sake, frequently going beyond the confines of the examined curriculum. Futures guidance prepares students for university entrance, including Oxford and Cambridge (around 12% of the cohort on average in the past five years), as well as degree apprenticeships.
The School enjoys excellent facilities including a purpose-built Junior School building, a central, enclosed ‘Hub’ area at the heart of the school and an expanded and refurbished suite of university-standard Chemistry laboratories, all of which were completed in 2015. During 2018, a significant new sports facilities development was completed, reflecting the school’s ongoing commitment to the promotion of physical activity for girls, one of the school’s founding principles. In 2019, the outdoor netball courts and all-weather pitch were resurfaced to a high specification, bringing Withington’s sports facilities to an excellent standard across all areas. A project to extend and refurbish the ground floor dining area, and create additional space in a first-floor extension which incorporates a new conference room, pastoral offices and a learning support centre, was completed early in 2022.
Withington fosters all-round development and the girls’ academic studies are complemented by an extensive range of over 100 extracurricular activities. Music is strong and very popular; there is a comprehensive range of choirs and orchestras, involving all age groups. Drama also thrives with regular productions including original works. Girls play a variety of sports, including hockey, lacrosse, netball, rounders, tennis, athletics and football. Pupils are selected to represent county and national squads, and there are regular sports tours within Europe and further afield such as the USA and South Africa. In addition to fixtures with other schools, pupils compete in a variety of sports within the School’s House system. The four Houses, named after Withington’s founders, also provide a focus for dramatic, musical and other activities.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Young Enterprise scheme, Model United Nations conferences, voluntary work in the local community, Science, Mathematics, Linguistics Olympiads and a wide range of academic extension activities, residential activity weekends, foreign trips and local fieldwork all feature prominently in the School’s provision. Numerous extracurricular clubs and societies are offered. Awareness of the wider world is encouraged and girls have a strong sense of social responsibility, participating in many fundraising activities. Sixth Formers use their holiday time to participate in community projects in The Gambia once a year; others participate in expeditions (an 18-day expedition to Morocco in 2023, Costa Rica in 2024 and Eswatini in 2025). Preparation for life after school starts early and involves a programme of careers advice, work experience and UCAS application guidance. Older girls work with younger girls in numerous ways, through the House system, extracurricular activities, peer support and mentoring.
Visitors are warmly welcomed and Open Days are held in the Autumn term. A number of means-tested bursaries are awarded annually together with awards from several external Trusts. Entrance at age 7–11 is by Entrance Assessment/Examination, held in January, together with interview (11+ entry only) and a reference from current school. Admission to the Sixth Form is by interview and is conditional upon GCSE results. For entry at other points, please don’t hesitate to contact the Admissions Team for further information.
The School has a thriving alumnae network with regular events and many alumnae offering help and inspiration to current pupils. The School engages in a number of partnership projects with local state schools and has strong links with the local community. Withington has earned a number of accolades from the Sunday Times Schools Guide; ranked first for academic results in the North-West in the 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2022 editions, named as North-West Independent School of the Decade in the 2021 edition, North-West Independent School of the Year for 2012, 2020 and 2023, and Top Independent Secondary School of the Year nationally 2009/10. Withington was the Financial Times Best Value Independent Day School in 2012 and is regularly ranked as one of the best value independent school in the country by The Daily Telegraph, based on an analysis of results in public examinations and fees. Consistently featured in the annual Tatler Schools Guide of the top independent schools in the UK, Withington was named as a Runner-Up for Public School of the Year 2015 by Tatler.
Fees per annum (2025-2026). Senior School: £19,998, Junior School: £15,258, incl. VAT, lunches, before- and after-school care and insurance. LAMDA, individual instrumental music lessons and Arts Award are charged separately.
Charitable status. Withington Girls’ School is a Registered Charity, number 1158226. It aims to provide an exceptional quality of opportunity, to encourage independence of mind and high aspirations for girls from seven to 18.
Governors & Staff:
¶ Alumnae
The Governing Body:
Chair: Mr M Pike, LLB
Mr C Poston, BSc, FCA (Hon Treasurer)
Dr J Allred, MB ChB, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP
Mr A Chicken, BA, MEd, FRSA
Mr M Griffin
¶Mrs D Hawkins, DL, JP, LLB
Prof D Leigh, BSc, PhD, CChem, FRS, FRSE, FRSC, MAE
¶Dr L Maynard-Atem, MSc, PhD
Dr S Patel, BSc, MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP, RCPathME
Mr A Pathak, BSc
Mr H Sinclair
¶Mrs S Stuffins, BA, MSc, MRICS
Mr M Torevell, BA, ACA
Headmistress: Mrs S J Haslam, BA Lancaster (English)
Deputy Head Pastoral: ¶Ms J M Baylis, MA Manchester (English and Drama)
Deputy Head Academic: Mr T Bennett, MA Cantab (Geography)
Head of Junior School: Mrs E Clark, BA Nottingham Trent (Childhood Studies)
Assistant Head: Dr S E Madden, PhD Newcastle (Biology)
Director of Sixth Form: Ms E K Robinson, MA Cantab (Classics, Enrichment)
Assistant Head Pastoral: Mrs J Johnston, BA MMU (Art)
Assistant Head Academic: Mrs E Suttle, MSc MMU (English)
Deputy Head of Junior School: Mrs L Cordrey, BA York
Chief Financial and Operating Officer: Mr C Cross, BA Liverpool
Heads of Department/Subject Leads:
Mrs C Air, BA Oxon (History)
Mrs A Alker, BA North Staffordshire (Psychology)
Mrs L Berry, BA Manchester (Drama)
Mr M Boyle, BSc Wales (EPQ)
Mrs A Clark, MA Manchester (English)
Mrs E Corrigan, MSc Durham (Biology)
Mrs F Cotton, BA Heriot-Watt (Design Technology)
Mr A Cumberford, BA Oxon (German)
Mrs C E Edge, MA Leeds (PSHCE, Partnerships Coordinator)
Miss L Hegarty, BA Sheffield (French)
Mrs J C Howling, MA Cantab (Classics)
Ms L Johnson, BA Manchester (Physical Education)
Mr R Latham, BA Durham (Religious Studies)
Mrs K Michael, MA Open University (Physics)
Miss A Noya, BA Santiago de Compostela (Spanish)
Mr A Pargeter-Davies, MSc Open University (Mathematics)
Mrs S J Rigby, BA Nottingham (Learning Support)
¶Mrs S Roberts, MA Manchester (Physical Education)
Mrs G E Sargent, BMus London (Music)
Dr J Smiles, PHD Manchester (Science, Chemistry)
Mr A Snowden, BSc Warwick (ICT)
Miss J Southern, BA Newcastle (Geography)
Mrs N Toubanks, BSc Manchester (Economics)
Mrs J C Wallis, BA Leeds (Politics)
Mrs N Watson, BA Leeds (Food & Nutrition)
Miss F Whiteley, BSc Lancaster (Psychology)
Executive Assistant to Headmistress: Mrs L Thomas, BSc Sheffield Hallam
Head of Futures: Ms N Kober, BSc Bristol
School Health Lead: Sister E Wood-Kemp, Bachelor of Nursing Manchester
Examinations Officer: Mrs M Surridge, BSc Central Lancashire
Librarian: Mr A Thorley, MA Oxon
Archivist: Miss H Brown, MA MMU
Development Director: Mrs L Dowdall, BSc Leeds
Director of Admissions and Marketing: Mrs C Dow, BA Witwatersrand
Operations & Educational Visits: Mrs N Baguley
Office Manager: Ms S Kennedy, BA Manchester
Director of Digital Services: Mr A Lockett, BSc Bradford
Site Manager: Mr M Morris, NEBOSH