Manchester · School search
Choosing between MGS and Withington Girls’ School
Manchester Grammar School and Withington Girls’ School are nearby single-sex day schools for ages 7–18, with different entrance dates and financial-aid conditions.
Listen to this page
Manchester Grammar School is an independent day school for boys. Withington Girls’ School is an independent day school for girls. Both run from Year 3 to Sixth Form and follow GCSEs with A Levels.
The word “Grammar” in the MGS name does not make it a state-funded grammar school. Both schools charge fees and run their own admissions processes.
Year 7 entry for September 2027
MGS gives 18 November 2026 as the deadline for a guaranteed assessment place. Its entrance examination is on 13 January 2027, with acceptance due 3 March.
Withington’s deadline is 4 December 2026 and its entrance examination is on 8 January 2027. Read each admissions timetable directly if applying, because late and occasional-entry arrangements are different.
For 2026–27, MGS publishes £19,809 a year including VAT. Withington’s Senior School figure is £19,740 a year including VAT. Treat these as tuition comparisons, not total first-year costs.
Financial assistance needs an early decision
MGS offers means-tested bursaries for Year 7 and Sixth Form entry. Its scheme includes residence conditions in the North West and UK. Check these against the family’s circumstances rather than assuming ordinary admission and bursary eligibility are the same.
Withington offers means-tested bursaries at Year 7 and Year 12, with a limited number in the Junior School. The bursary request must form part of the application and cannot be added after the entrance examination.
Which school belongs on the shortlist?
Eligibility by sex determines which school can consider an application. For siblings, their Fallowfield-area locations can make them a useful logistical comparison, but admissions and bills remain separate.
Ask about the relevant entry point, current A-Level subjects, learning support, meals, transport and financial-aid deadline. Both are day schools, so confirm the child will live locally and can manage the school run.
See the Manchester city page and the United Kingdom overview for the next layer.
Friendly orientation, not formal admissions advice. Always confirm dates with the school.
Other school profiles
Manchester
The Manchester Grammar School
MGS is a selective boys’ day school for ages 7–18. Junior School and Year 7 applications for September 2027 have a published 18 November 2026 deadline. Sixth Form applications close on 5 March 2027.
ManchesterWithington Girls’ School
Withington Girls’ School is a selective independent day school for girls aged 7–19. It offers Junior School, GCSEs and A levels on one Fallowfield campus. This guide separates its 2027 entry routes and explains the full published fees, bursaries, support and withdrawal liabilities.
LondonAlleyn’s School
Alleyn’s is a selective co-educational day school for ages 4–18. This guide explains the different junior-school routes, the 11+ and 16+ processes, and the costs that sit outside tuition.
BristolBristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School is a selective, co-educational independent day school from Reception through Sixth Form. Its subject range makes it worth considering for a child who wants academic choice while living at home. Senior and Sixth Form fees are £7,422 per term from autumn 2026. Admissions pages still describe the previous entry round, so families applying for 2027 need a new timetable.
Keep reading
7 min
IB, A-Levels, Bac, Abitur: understanding school-leaving qualifications
Start with the qualification your child would actually receive. Then check its subjects, language demands, and recognition in the countries where they may study next.
7 minHow to choose a school in Europe
Start with your child and the family's likely plans. Define the non-negotiables, verify the school's claims, compare three realistic options and visit with specific questions.
7 minHow to read a school fee schedule
Tuition is only one line of the budget. Separate charges from advance payments, record what each figure includes, and ask the school to confirm your calculation in writing.
7 minTen questions for a useful school visit
A useful visit should help you picture your child’s school day and resolve the questions that matter to your family. Ask for concrete examples, then separate what you observed from what you were told.