Manchester High School For Girls

Manchester High School for Girls is one of the leading independent girls' day schools in the country. It is a selective, academic school and last summer’s public examination results at both Advanced and GCSE level were excellent, placing the School amongst the top schools nationally.

For 150 years, Manchester High School for Girls has taken pride in giving girls an academic education of the highest quality. Founded in 1874, the School has made a pioneering contribution to the development of women’s education. All three of Mrs Pankhurst’s daughters were educated here.

The School is a non-denominational, independent day school, which has charitable status. It is also a member of the Girls’ Schools Association and of the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools.

School's Purpose

Manchester High School for Girls was founded in 1874 “To impart to the girls the very best education which can be given and to fit them for any future which may be before them”.

Today, the School upholds these founding principles by encouraging each individual pupil to achieve educational excellence across a broad range of learning opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. For each pupil, this all-round education fosters an awareness of their own value and a sense of responsibility towards others, both within our community and across the wider world.

Our Aims

Manchester High School for Girls aims to educate and empower our pupils by:

• Supporting our pupils to develop an understanding of the value of education as an end in itself; instilling a lifelong love of learning, whilst striving for academic excellence alongside cultural awareness and understanding

• Inspiring pupils to achieve high academic standards within a culture of innovation, where they fulfil their individual potential

• Providing a broad and diverse range of subjects and extra-curricular activities that offer each individual pupil the opportunity to develop their talents and flourish

• Educating the whole child and prioritising their wellbeing so that pupils leave School with a sense of self-awareness, self-worth, self-discipline and an ability to contribute with confidence in an increasingly competitive and technological world

• Drawing on the School’s social, cultural and religious mix of pupils to enable all to live and grow in an atmosphere of mutual respect and compassion

• Encouraging qualities of caring, kindness, honesty and loyalty, fostering high moral standards

Since 1893, the School has provided means tested financial support for a significant number of girls. Currently, approximately 10% of girls in the Senior School are in receipt of some form of financial assistance. Admission to the Senior School is by examination and interview. Entry to the Preparatory Department is from the age of 4 and sometimes occasional vacancies are available for entry at other ages. Admission is selective by means of an assessment for infants and an entrance examination in Mathematics and English for the juniors.

The Senior School caters for girls from 11 to 18 and the Preparatory Department provides for girls from four to 11. Most girls in the Preparatory Department progress into the Senior School. Currently there are 223 girls in the Preparatory Department and 537 in the Senior School and 174 in the Sixth Form.

The Curriculum and Timetable

All pupils follow an extensive, strongly academic programme of study, culminating in outstanding examination results at GCSE and A Level. In 2024, around 60% of A-level grades awarded to MHSG students were A*/A, and 40% of our students obtained straight A*/A grades.

Over 80% of all GCSE grades awarded to our students in 2024 were grade 7 or above – and the majority of our Year 11 pupils chose to stay on to join the MHSG Sixth Form. We are very proud of the pupils' excellent academic performance in this and previous years.

The School offers a wide choice of subjects at A-level and GCSE, with over 20 subjects offered at each level. Pupils take the equivalent of 9 or 10 GCSEs and, currently in the Senior Sixth 3 or 4 A- level subjects. Almost all leave to pursue a degree at a university of their choice and, each year, a significant number gain admission to Oxford or Cambridge.

Pastoral Support, Care and Guidance

Highly effective systems of student support have been established where the roles of the Form Tutor and Heads of Year are pivotal. Heads of Section oversee Lower and Middle School years in an added layer of support and there is excellent communication and transition between all pastoral staff. The work of the pastoral team is greatly enhanced by the School Nurses and the School Counsellor. Other key staff who contribute to the provision of pastoral support, care and guidance include the Director of Sixth Form Studies, a Learning Support Co-ordinator, Well Being Co-ordinator and Head of Careers. Administrative support for the work of the Deputy Head (Pastoral Care) and the Heads of Year is provided by the Pastoral Secretaries.

Extra-Curricular Activities

There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, which are well supported by girls and teachers. Many take place at lunchtime but, in addition, there are numerous  trips which offer the opportunity for students to develop and follow their interests and talents in music, drama, sport and academic areas.

Accommodation

In the last eighteen years, an ambitious refurbishment and development schedule has seen the classrooms, laboratories and specialist subject accommodation transformed. Modernisation of the dining room and kitchens, library, main hall, lavatories, three ICT suites, two language laboratories and greatly improved work facilities for staff have completed the upgrades. The school facilities include an impressive Sports Complex with fitness suite and climbing wall to augment the existing swimming pool, Astroturf pitch and a dance studio. A free membership scheme for staff to the Fitness Suite is available. The Preparatory Department have benefited from four additional classrooms since 2012, and a state of the art Sixth Form Centre was completed in 2014.

The Preparatory Department

The Preparatory Department has an excellent academic record and enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a caring school in which each girl is valued as an individual. The girls are educated to the highest standard by experienced, caring and committed staff; the department provides a broad, academic yet forward-looking curriculum, as well as exciting opportunities for extra-curricular activities.

It offers a friendly, happy and secure environment in which the qualities of kindness, respect, loyalty, self-discipline and self-worth are encouraged and developed. Each girl is helped to develop her self-confidence, her special talents and her academic potential.

The philosophy of both the Preparatory Department and the Senior School is that happy girls will achieve their potential. The level of pastoral care provided for the girls is, therefore, extremely high and includes 2 part time nurses (based in the Senior School, assisted by a doctor who visits one day each week), the Playground Friends and School Sister schemes, and specialist before and after school care.

Inspection and Future Plans

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) conducted an inspection of Manchester High School for Girls in April 2024. The School was found to be fully compliant with all of the regulatory requirements and the inspection report highlights the following as a significant strength of the school:- "Leaders have high aspirations and have firmly established core values that underpin the school. This results in a caring, inclusive and diverse community. Staff are ambitious for the pupils and thread the values of learning, innovation, compassion, wellbeing and individuality through every aspect of school life. This results in empowered and dynamic pupils who flourish." The full inspection report can be accessed via our website.

A strategic development plan which runs from 2024-2027 is in place. The School is continuing to work to maintain a culture in which learning is pre-eminent and in which change is welcomed in the pursuit of improvement.

Staff Benefits

All full-time permanent members of staff are entitled to a 50% discount on school fees for their daughters and there is also a generous staff training budget with all staff encouraged to continue their professional development. A number of INSET courses are available throughout the school year.  We offer an Employee Assistant Programme for staff and some immediate family members living in the same household along with a number of  free well being activities and  free membership scheme to the Fitness Suite.  A separate staff dining room is available with an extensive and reasonably-priced choice of food and waitress service during lunchtime serving subsidised meals to all staff.  Light refreshments are provided at break, lunchtime and after school including for colleagues who remain in school for evening events.