Withington Girls’ School

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INTRODUCTION:

Withington Girls’ School in Manchester is an independent day school for girls aged 7 to 18, established in 1890 by local families who sought to provide their daughters with the same educational opportunities as their sons. The school has remained small, with about 540 pupils in the senior school, and is known for its informal atmosphere and an ethos that values the intrinsic pleasure of academic work, rather than external rewards, as it offers no prizes or scholarships.

Ranked among the top ten schools in the UK based on A-level and GCSE results, Withington Girls’ School is also recognized as the best-performing school in the North of England.

ADMISSION GUIDELINES:

Before applying to Withington Girls’ School, families are strongly encouraged to attend an Open Day in November, which can be booked through the Admissions Office. These events offer a chance to explore the school’s facilities, hear from the Head, and meet key staff members.

Oversubscription Criteria:

The school does not have oversubscription criteria.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To apply for Year 7 at Withington Girls’ School, download the application form from the school's website and submit it by December of the year before entry, along with a non-refundable £50 registration fee. The school is academically selective, requiring all applicants to take an entrance exam in January. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with senior staff within 3 to 4 weeks after the exam, and the school will request a reference from the applicant’s current head teacher.

CATHCHMENT AREA:

The school does not have a catchment area.

EXAM FORMAT:

The entrance exam for Withington Girl's School includes three subjects: English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning. The English section has two parts: a 45-minute comprehension and a 35-minute essay. The Maths section is divided into two papers: Paper 1 lasts 30 minutes and Paper 2 lasts 40 minutes, focusing on basic skills and problem-solving. The Verbal Reasoning test takes 50 minutes. The exams are conducted in classrooms with groups of 25 students to create a more comfortable environment. Calculators are not allowed, and the school's staff writes and marks the English and Maths papers.

PREPARATION AND TARGET TEST SCORES:

Using practice papers is a highly effective method for preparing for competitive entrance exams. These papers allow students to get accustomed to the exam format and question types, while also offering a valuable chance to practice managing time under pressure.

Students who consistently achieve scores of 75% or higher on the 11+ practice tests are generally well-prepared to succeed in the Withington Girls’ School 11+ exam. Although this is not a guarantee, it has historically been a reliable indicator of likely success in the actual test.

Summary:

Name: Withington Girls’ School

School Type: Girls’ Independent Day School

School Website: https://www.wgs.org/

County: Greater Manchester 

Address: 100 Wellington Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6BL

Email: admissions@wgs.org

Phone: 0161 249 3371

Number of Places Available: 680

11+ Exam Date: January of Year 6

Exam Format: School’s Own

 

This information was last updated in December 2024.

Past Papers

Maths Past Paper - Withington Girls’ School 2017 Paper 1
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