None of the following students would have been able to complete their education at MHSG without financial support:

Michelle Corbett, Gail Henderson (née Garner) and Sarah Betts (née Taylor) met in September 1976 when they all arrived in Upper 3W and they have been friends ever since. What they didn’t know, until much later, was that without the Bursary Fund none of them would have been able to complete their education at MHSG and go on to achieve success in their chosen fields.

Michelle is a circuit judge, one of the youngest ever to be appointed, and she attributes some of her success to MHSG. She said: “I think one big advantage of being at an all girls’ school was that I was taught that women can achieve just as much as men, a message that perhaps wasn’t as common 25 years ago as it is now. I am very grateful to the Bursary Fund for its generosity, without which I simply would not have had a great education and subsequent rewarding career.”

Gail too credits her education for what she has since accomplished: “As I have come to realise over the last few years in my career, the education I received at MHSG was second to none and helped me to achieve what I have from life.” Gail reached the senior position of squadron leader with the RAF in 2003. She added: “While there are an increasing number of women reaching senior ranks within the armed forces, we are still in the minority and I am sure that my time at MHSG helped to instil me with the confidence to rise through the ranks."

Sarah also acknowledges the role her education played in her current career: “I remain very grateful to Miss Blake and MHSG for the opportunity to attend Manchester High. I am convinced that this enabled me to pursue my interest in the sciences, in particular Physics - not a conventional choice for a girl, leading me ultimately, via two degrees, to my career as a clinical scientist within radiotherapy physics in the health service.”

These women all attribute their success to the great foundation that Manchester High offered, and none of them would have been able to attend MHSG without some form of financial assistance.

An education at MHSG really can be life changing! Gail perhaps sums it up best: “If the Bursary Fund is not supported then it would deny children who have potential but not necessarily the privilege of a wealthy family to achieve it.”

Lisa Deignan

Class of ‘06

Lisa Deignan is the daughter of one of the School’s favourite caretakers, Mr Anthony Deignan (pictured). She left Manchester High three years ago and recently completed her degree in Human Genetics at Newcastle University. Lisa graduated with a first class-honours degree and her thesis was one of only a handful nominated for a prestigious Science, Engineering and Technology Award.

Congratulations on your degree, we know your Dad is very proud! Do you think you would have applied to MHSG if your Dad had not worked here?

No, I probably would not have even taken the entrance exam had my Dad not worked at the School and seen first hand the importance of a good education. My Dad was encouraged by the Head Mistress to apply for a bursary award so that I could attend MHSG.

Why was the Bursary Fund so important for you?

If it had not been for the Bursary Fund, I would not have been able to attend MHSG. I learnt from excellent teachers who not only encouraged my love of learning but helped me to become an academic. I aimed a lot higher than some of my contemporaries from primary school and if it had not been for my time at MHSG I may not have applied to Newcastle University.

So, you’re glad you came to MHSG then?

Yes! There is a culture of healthy competition at MHSG, everyone strives to do well. A strong work ethic was instilled in me from an early age.

Who was your favourite teacher?

Dr Poucher’s A Level Biology classes really inspired me to study Genetics. She has a way of bringing the subject to life. Dr Hoban was also fantastic and I couldn’t pick between them.

What got you interested in Human Genetics?

My Mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when I was at school and that, together with those inspirational Biology lessons, sparked my passion for the subject. Thankfully Mum is now in full remission.

What advice would you give to current students?

Work hard but try to stay relaxed and keep a healthy balance; you don’t work at your best when you are too stressed.

What does the future hold?

I am going to do a PhD in Developmental Biology at Manchester University. I want to focus my research on the early detection of ovarian cancer. The symptoms are very hard to spot and can often be mistaken for other ailments. I hope that my work might help to give women a better chance of survival.   

If you received a bursary from MHSG and have a story to tell, please email Development Director, Miss Suzie Thompson, or call her on 0161 224 0447.