Ages 
Withington's motto is 'Ad lucem' (towards the light), a most fitting way of encapsulating the standard of education at this remarkable school. It's an inspiring place where very able girls who thrive on being fully engaged in a broad and stimulating curriculum will shine brightly.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to accessSpark your child’s love of reading with FREE gifts
Get three months of First News digital for free and £5 off Scholastic books when you read our school reviews.
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 589 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 164 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £19,008 - £19,998 pa
- Local authority
- Manchester City Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmistress
Mrs Sarah Haslam
Since 2016, Sarah Haslam. Originally from Cheshire she attended Harefield County High School (now Wilmslow High School) then read English at Lancaster University followed by a PGCE in English and PSE at Sheffield Hallam University. First teaching
Entrance
There is a test in January followed by an interview with two senior members of staff. Internal and external candidates sit the same papers, The aim is to test girls’ ability to think for themselves and tutoring is discouraged. All internal
- Open days
- November
Exit
Three-quarters move on to the sixth form. Given the exceptional GCSE results we would have expected a higher proportion to stay on as they would certainly meet the stringent entrance requirements. Likely explanations are a desire to spread wings with
Latest results
In 2025, 93 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 75 per cent A*/A at A level (91 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
The head told us that teaching and learning here is research led; good practice is shared with other schools and informs staff professional development which is all to the good. We saw dynamic lessons where girls are active participants in their
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The learning support centre is a new build with some great spaces, located next to the library at the heart of the school. All very inclusive. The SENCO is also head of upper sixth with a lot of SEN experience and a postgraduate diploma in autism.
Arts & extracurricular
Withington girls love their drama. An enormous studio with staging area, lights and a dedicated technician means the teaching side of drama couldn’t be better resourced. We saw a group of remarkably confident and mature year 9s working on
Sport
Sports on offer include netball, football, badminton, volleyball, lacrosse, cricket, hockey and touch rugby. A sixth former told us, ‘The lacrosse is fantastic, I have had so many opportunities to develop in the sport.’ The standard at Withington is
Ethos & heritage
Withington was founded in 1890 by a group of Manchester families seeking to educate their daughters to the same standards as those available to their sons. The school moved to its current site in 1903 and is housed in a single but much-extended and
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Parents and girls praise pastoral care. Head says, ‘We focus on well-being and character development and we do a lot of work on equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure that our community gels.’ Each form has two tutors (although not always at the
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review 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 sixthf 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.
Pupils & parents
Girls told us they came to Withington because, ‘It has an amazing academic reputation, I knew I would be able to meet my goals here. I’ve gained such self confidence, you feel you can do anything.’ Pupils travel from far and wide to get to school,
Money matters
About 17 per cent receive means-tested bursaries, a third of these are 100 per cent of fees and will include uniform, a laptop device, funding for drama and music tuition and support for school trips. The head says, ‘We do more than wait for people
- Fee information
- £19,008 - £19,998 pa
The last word
Withington's motto is 'Ad lucem' (towards the light), a most fitting way of encapsulating the standard of education at this remarkable school. It's an inspiring place where very able girls who thrive on being fully engaged in a broad and stimulating
