Manchester High School for Girls has launched a new scheme to provide free places for children from low and middle-income families.

MHSG is offering two additional free places for pupils wishing to join its Senior School in September 2008. Girls who are eligible to apply must be resident within the Greater Manchester conurbation and attending a state Primary School. Their families must be in receipt of either Working Families Tax Credit or Income Support, and have a gross household income of less than £40,000.

At present, almost one in five pupils at MHSG receives some form of financial assistance. The School already offers a range of bursaries, which take into account factors such as family income, educational attainment, and a fee reduction for parents with two or more daughters at the School.

A series of scholarships are also available that recognise educational excellence or exceptional performance standards in either dance, sports or music.

MHSG Head Mistress Mrs Christine Lee-Jones said: “I am delighted to announce this exciting opportunity that will enable girls to attend Manchester High, which was recently identified as one of the UK’s Top 10 Independent Schools.

“The School has a tradition of being both diverse and inclusive, and of producing academically well educated young women who can compete at any level with the brightest and the best, both nationally and internationally. Many of our former students say that their time at Manchester High inspired self-confidence, and the belief that they could achieve anything if they were determined enough.

“This new scheme, which provides two additional free places, reiterates our belief, and that of our founders, that family income should not bar any child from attending Manchester High School for Girls,” added Mrs Lee-Jones.

Applications for MHSG’s Senior School should be made by Monday 7^th January, 2008, with Entrance Examinations taking place the following Tuesday, 15^th January, 2008.