Withington Girls, Manchester High or somewhere else?

[Woodfordhound]

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.

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.

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

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

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!!! .

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

Has anyone decided then?!

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

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?

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?