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 and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.
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. Withington consistently ranks as one of the top schools in the country for academic results.
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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.
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.
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.
Academic curriculum
The following subjects are available for all third form (first year/year seven) pupils:
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:
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
Withington won its first national lacrosse title at the 2022 National Schools competition when its U14 team claimed the top position.
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
Sarah Foot, medieval historian
Jen Hadfield, poet (Winner of the T. S. Eliot Prize 2008)
C. A. Lejeune, film critic
Brenda Milner, Canadian neuropsychologist
Joanna Natasegara, 2017 Oscar winner, documentary film-maker
Christine Rice, opera singer, mezzo-soprano
Stephen Whittle, Professor of Equalities Law, campaigner for transgender rights