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Withington Girls' School
Withington Girls' School
Address
	Wellington Road; Manchester, M14 6BL; England
Information
Type	Private day school
Motto	Ad lucem; (Latin: "Towards the light")
Established	1890
Local authority	Manchester
Headmistress	S J Haslam
Gender	Girls
Age	7 to 18
Enrolment	727
Capacity	790
Website	http://www.wgs.org/

Withington Girls' School is a private day school in Fallowfield, Manchester, United Kingdom, providing education for girls between the ages of seven and eighteen. Withington is a member of the Girls' Schools Association^[2] and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.^[3]

The school was founded in 1890 by a number of eminent Mancunians. It was named North West Independent School of the Decade by The Sunday Times in 2021.^[4] Withington consistently ranks as one of the top schools in the country for academic results.^[5]

History

Withington Girls' School was founded in 1890 by a group of eminent Manchester families who wanted the same educational opportunities for their daughters as were already available for their sons. Among the founders were Mrs Louisa Lejeune, the mother of C. A. Lejeune, C. P. Scott, Henry and Emily Simon, Miss Caroline Herford and Sir Adolphus Ward. There were four pupils in the beginning.^[6]

Present day

Over the years, the School has aimed to remain true in essence to the founders' principles.

Pupils receive an outstanding education in accordance with the school's aims to help girls achieve an excellent standard of academic achievement, and to foster intellectual curiosity, a love of learning, independence of mind and individual responsibility.
— Independent Schools Inspectorate (2013)^[7]

The school suffered a serious arson attack in August 2003, but took this as an opportunity to build new science labs, and has since built a new sixth form common room and additional classrooms.^[8]

School song

"Gaudeamus" is the school song and is sung each year at Founder's day, accompanied by the school's orchestra.^{[citation needed]}

Academic curriculum

The following subjects are available for all third form (first year/year seven) pupils:^[9]

English and English Literature
Maths
Two of French/German/Spanish
Latin
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Physical Education
ICT
Food and Nutrition
History
Geography
Religious Studies
Drama and Theatre Studies
Art
Music

As the girls move up the school, other subjects are available, including:^[10]

Greek
Classical Civilisation
Computer Science
Politics (Sixth Form only)
Economics (Sixth Form only)
Psychology (Sixth Form only)
Philosophy (Sixth Form only)

Extra-curricular activities

Sport

Trampolinist Sasha Carter represented her country at international trampolining competitions.^[11]

Withington won its first national lacrosse title at the 2022 National Schools competition when its U14 team claimed the top position.^[12]

Notable former pupils

Kate Abdo, television presenter
Julia Britton, playwright
Sarah Burton, creative director of the Alexander McQueen brand and designer of Catherine Middleton's wedding dress
Judith Chalmers, television presenter
Mildred Creak, child psychiatrist
Marjorie Deane (1914-2008), financial journalist^[13]
Sarah Foot, medieval historian
Jen Hadfield, poet (Winner of the T.S. Eliot Prize for poetry 2008)
C. A. Lejeune, film critic
Brenda Milner, Canadian neuropsychologist
Joanna Natasegara, 2017 Oscar winner, documentary film-maker^[14]
Christine Rice, opera singer, mezzo-soprano
Stephen Whittle, Professor of Equalities Law, campaigner for transgender rights

References

^ ^a ^b "Withington Girls' School - GOV.UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
^ "Withington Girls' School". Girls' Schools Association. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
^ "Withington Girls' School". HMC. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
^ Dow, Catherine (27 November 2020). "Withington is North West Independent School of the Decade". Withington Girls' School. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
^ Dow, Catherine (3 December 2021). "Withington earns Sunday Times accolade for third year in a row". Withington Girls' School. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
^ Newsletter 1936–1937. Withington Girls' School. 5 February 1937.
^ Independent Schools Inspectorate – Report on Withington Girls' School 2013
^ Haile, Deborah (28 August 2003). "Schools count the cost of arson". Manchester Evening News. M.E.N. Media.
^ "Curriculum". Withington Girls' School. Withington Girls' School. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
^ "Curriculum". Withington Girls' School. Withington Girls' School.
^ "Trampoline trio picked for world championships". Manchester Evening News. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
^ Hayden, Niamh (28 March 2022). "Withington wins first national lacrosse title". Withington Girls' School. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
^ Cameron, Sue (7 November 2008). "A journalist the financial world trusted". Financial Times. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
^ Abbit, Beth (27 February 2017). "Mum of Oscar winner tells of pride as she watched victory on TV". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 11 April 2024.