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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Withington Girls, Manchester High or somewhere else?

42 replies

Woodfordhound · 08/11/2017 14:02

DD is bright, sporty and musical but is not at a prep school. We’ve done some Bond stuff at home and she copes well with these. I’d like to know whether either of these schools is a realistic option for a bright sparky girl who is also keen on being somewhere she can play sport and run. I think we need to get the application in in the next couple of weeks if we’re going to go for it.
Do they tend to only take their own juniors plus children from the local preps? Our neighbour has a daughter the same age at a prep in Cheadle and the amount of stuff she’s done compared to DD is staggering although I’d say both are equally bright girls but maybe I’m deluding myself there.
Anyone have girls at either and can let me know anything about the atmosphere there and number of state school girls.
DD has brothers rather than sisters so I think she may quite enjoy an all girls environment. She’s also quite a workhorse and very studious but I’m not sure how much that counts compared to brains (which she also has) and prep (which she doesn’t really have). Thanks for any information.

OP posts:

Handlejo · 04/03/2019 15:39

We have been offered a place at both man high and withington. Would be interested to know how @AliPatee and @Woodfordhouund (or anyone else on the thread) have found it over the last year?

TheWaiting · 26/01/2019 20:30

Bumping this as we’re currently playing the waiting game. Interviews at both coming up. @AliPatee, has your daughter settled well at WGS? Does she feel she made the right decision? Woodfordhound, which school did your DD opt for in the end?

AliPatee · 07/03/2018 15:43

We went for Withington, which school did you choose Woodford??

cerveza · 06/03/2018 23:26

Has anyone decided then?!

AliPatee · 27/02/2018 17:37

It’s great to be in this situation but not easy to choose, both are good! Do you or anyone know what the intake each year is?

Original poster

Woodfordhound · 27/02/2018 16:17

Yes we felt exactly the same re the girls. The girls who showed us around Withington were just so friendly but also seemed so at ease with themselves.

I don’t know many parents with children in independent schools but I do have a colleague whose daughter is current Y7 at Manchester High and was also offered Withington. She said 5yrs ago if you were offered W, you took it but in the last few years there’s been lots of very bright girls who were offered both and opted for Man High. It’s so confusing.

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AliPatee · 27/02/2018 14:54

My DD is the same, she prefers Manchester High but she was slightly swayed by the girls who were lovely and more friendly at Withington. Withington is very sporty too isn’t it?

I’m torn too, it’s not an easy decision at all is it? I wonderif anyone has recent experiences from either? When I’ve looked at old threads about both schools they were from ages ago.

Original poster

Woodfordhound · 27/02/2018 14:14

Sorry Ali, meant to add in there my congratulations to your DD too! Does she have a preference?

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Original poster

Woodfordhound · 27/02/2018 14:12

Hi Ali, relief is definitely the overriding emotion as our high school isn’t great.

DD I think preferred Manchester High as she’s quite sporty and she loved their pool and climbing wall. But Withington is one of the top schools in the country. I’m really torn which makes no sense as yesterday I’d have been happy with an offer from either.

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AliPatee · 27/02/2018 13:25

Congratulations Woodfordhound, you must feel relieved and proud after the wait! Both schools have made offers to DD, we’re very happy and are hoping visits to both will help in making the decision! Is there one you prefer your DD to go to?

Original poster

Woodfordhound · 27/02/2018 12:57

AliPatee, I hope today brought good news for you too!

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Original poster

Woodfordhound · 27/02/2018 11:21

Hi everyone, just wanted to update and say that my daughter has today received offers from both Withington and Manchester High. We are both proud and a little stunned that she has managed to shine amongst so many girls many of whom are coming from the prep system. Thank you for all your advice. She will visit both again later this week and make her decision between the two. Having brothers has made her very excited about the prospect of an all girls school too which will be nice for her.

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LongChalk · 22/02/2018 13:45

The problem with a fringe is that it starts to get in their eyes very quilckly and starts to annoy them. At least with girls you can clip it back although you can buy those thin bands that footballers with longer hair wear.

Kimlek · 16/02/2018 22:47

Hope the interviews went well. Also hoping you didn’t prep her for them as there’s no ‘wrong’ answers other than her saying she doesn’t want to attend!!! .

AliPatee · 14/02/2018 18:12

Hope your DD interviews went well, my DD went for both too and we’re nervously awaiting the outcome

Original poster

Woodfordhound · 05/02/2018 10:11

Thank you, Holy. Interviews this afternoon then Wednesday morning. Fingers crossed. I’m far more nervous than my daughter.

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holymacaronii · 01/02/2018 00:09

MH has a larger cohort in year 7 (I think) so in theory should have more places to offer. But dont let the stats daunt you! External and state pupils will get offers from both schools every year.

You could read both schools' websites thoroughly so you know as much as you can about each, it will help with feeling prepared. Maybe prepare a couple of questions in case you may get the opportunity to ask at the interview stage. You could help prep your daughter a little by thinking out what she might say to some possible questions. The elevenplus forum has interview pointers.

Original poster

Woodfordhound · 31/01/2018 21:10

Thanks everyone. Kimlek, your posts have been particularly helpful. From what you say, she has a good chance of a place at Man High but not such good odds at WGS. I don’t even know how many places there are at each. I guess that’s something I should know. Do you think Withington are interviewing around double their admission numbers giving her a 50:50 chance or are the odds likely worse than that. I have no idea about these things and now feel I’ve gone into it so unprepared and haven’t done enough research. There seemed to be so many girls at both the exams.

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Kimlek · 30/01/2018 23:59

At MHSG she’ll be interviewed first - they usually ask that they take something in to chat about / can be anything. My DD1 took a photo in of her Guides collecting sweets for troops. DD2 took in a sports medal I think. It doesn’t matter. Anything they can chat about. There’s no ‘type’ other than a willingness to learn. They also ask a couple of maths questions and a comprehension - less about ability and more about giving it a go. The girl then comes out and parent goes in - this is more an opportunity for you to ask questions rather than you being interviewed. It’s quite rare at MHSG to be invited for interview and not get a place but it does happen.
WGS is extremely similar in format but quite a few are interviewed but not selected. It’s definitely a significant part of their selection process at WGS. Both are cracking schools and your DD has done brilliantly - good luck with the rest of the journey!

holymacaronii · 30/01/2018 23:30

Independent schools don't seem to feedback on scores. If she has interviews they must feel she has ability/potential.

Original poster

Woodfordhound · 30/01/2018 20:32

Hi everyone, esp lifechallenges who asked for an update: My DD has interviews at both MH and WGS next week on Thur afternoon and Fri morning. I guess this means she did ok in the test although the letter didn’t give a score or anything but I’m not sure what I expected. I feel so unprepared and the letters both said that the HT will want to speak to us after DD. Does anyone know if this is an interview too? Does anyone know how many girls they interview and how many places they have? I suppose I can ask that next week.

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Original poster

Woodfordhound · 09/01/2018 09:25

This time next week it will all be over!

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LadyLovelace · 08/01/2018 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

namechangedtoday15 · 15/12/2017 22:11

Anecdotally WGS is seen as more academic than MHGS - I agree that its not a state v prep debate, obviously schools differ and it depends where you live as to what alternatives you have.

Kimlek · 15/12/2017 17:21

The msg ones on their website have answers - thank heavens!

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