About Withington Girls' School
Withington Girls' School is a girls independent day school in Greater Manchester & Trafford. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Withington Girls' School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #39 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 92.9%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Withington Girls' School
Withington Girls' School Admissions Criteria
Withington Girls' School is a girls independent day school in Greater Manchester & Trafford. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Withington Girls' School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Withington Girls' School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Withington Girls' School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Withington Girls' School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Withington Girls' School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Withington Girls' School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Withington Girls' School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Withington Girls' School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Withington Girls' School
Step 1 — Attend a Withington Whole School Open Day in November
Attend a Withington Whole School Open Day in November — booking via the Admissions Office
Step 2 — Register your interest with the Admissions Department
Register your interest with the Admissions Department
Step 3 — Download the application form from the school's website
Download the application form from the school's website
Step 4 — Return the application form
Return the application form before the December deadline in the year prior to entry
Step 5 — Pay the non-refundable application fee of £66
Pay the non-refundable application fee of £66 (note: some sources state £50 — verify on school website)
Step 6 — Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance exam in January
Your daughter sits the 11+ entrance exam in January — four papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Tests held in classrooms of 25
Step 7 — Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview with senior staff
Step 8 — In March, the school emails and posts letters with the outcome
In March, the school emails and posts letters with the outcome — acceptance/rejection deadline approximately two weeks after offer letters
Independent Subjects Tested at Withington Girls' School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Withington Girls' School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Means-tested bursaries available for entry into Years 7 and 12, plus limited bursary support for pupils in Years 5 & 6. Bursaries fully consider family's financial circumstances.
Outcome announced: Bursary outcome confirmed alongside offer
Additional notes: Withington Girls' School is a leading independent day school for girls aged 7-19 in Manchester. Approximately 720-743 pupils. Named Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance in the North West in the Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2024. No calculators allowed in entrance exam.
Independent Practice Papers for Withington Girls' School
Withington Girls' School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Withington Girls' School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Withington Girls' School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Withington consistently ranks among the very best schools in the country for academic results, and is regularly the top girls’ independent school in the North West.
- GCSE: an outstanding record (girls typically take nine GCSEs, or ten with Further Maths).
- A-Level: excellent results, with girls combining three or four A-Levels with the Extended Project Qualification.
- Progression: very strong progression to highly selective universities in the UK and overseas.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Withington Girls' School
Withington Girls’ School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a selective day school, it draws pupils from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and beyond, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school is in Fallowfield, south Manchester; entry points are at 7+ (with some places at 8+), 11+ and the Sixth Form, and — in line with its founding principles — it offers means-tested bursaries (to more than one in six pupils) rather than scholarships.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1890 by a group of far-sighted Manchester families who wanted their daughters to have the same opportunities as their sons, Withington Girls’ School is a highly selective independent day school for girls (ages 7–18) in Fallowfield, Manchester. Deliberately kept relatively small in keeping with its founders’ wishes, it has a distinctive, collaborative ethos — it does not award academic prizes, so that the pleasure of learning is its own reward — and is known for an exceptionally warm, friendly and caring community alongside its academic success.
Its extra-curricular programme is wide-ranging, from subject Olympiads, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, debating and robotics to music, drama and sport, with a strong tradition of community service. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Withington Girls' School
How do I get into Withington Girls' School?
To gain entry to Withington Girls' School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
What entrance exam does Withington Girls' School use?
Withington Girls' School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at Withington Girls' School?
Withington Girls' School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Withington Girls' School?
Yes. Withington Girls' School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Withington Girls' School?
Most independent schools including Withington Girls' School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Withington Girls' School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Withington Girls' School. No registration required.
When is the Withington Girls' School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Withington Girls' School is December deadline in the year prior to entry. The registration fee is £66 non-refundable. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Withington Girls' School 11+ results announced?
At Withington Girls' School, 11+ assessment results are March (emailed and posted). The deadline to accept a place is Approximately 2 weeks after offer letters.
What is the acceptance deposit at Withington Girls' School?
The acceptance deposit at Withington Girls' School is Required on acceptance of a place. This is payable on acceptance of a place.