Admissions Process
We are delighted that you are considering Manchester High School for Girls for your daughter. We provide a seamless all-round education for girls from the ages of 4 to 18 and proudly prepare them for happy, successful lives.
For all points of entry (Preparatory School, Senior School & Sixth Form), create your online applications account via this link, and once registered you will be automatically emailed with the next steps.
To jump to information on the different School entry points please click on the links below:
| The Admissions Process for Entry in September | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Start your Manchester High journey with a visit to School at one of our Autumn Open Events. |
| 2 | Applications should be made online via our Admissions Portal. The deadline for applications is the middle of December (dates will change each year) for pupils applying for places in the following September. |
| 3 | Entrance Examinations for entry in September take place on January of the same year of entry. |
| 4 | Supplementary Examination for those who miss the main examination take place a week or so after. (Please note, this date is only for those children who are ill at the time of the initial Entrance Examination.) |
| 5 | Interviews for candidates begin the week after the main examination (Senior School & Sixth Form only). |
| 6 | Successful candidates’ offer letters posted in February and emailed in March (within two weeks of Entrance Examination for Preparatory School). |
| 7 | Places to be accepted by mid-March (including offers with Financial Assistance - excluding Preparatory School). |
| 8 | Welcome Information sent to new pupils along with details of transition events in the summer term. |
| 9 | September – We welcome new starters to Manchester High School for Girls. |
Please contact our Admissions Team at [email protected] or call 0161 224 0447 with any queries.
If you are considering enrolling your daughter before Year 7, please contact the School's Registrar on [email protected] or call 0161 224 0447.
NB. Assessments days for Within Year applications may be arranged on a subsequent date.
Preparatory Admissions Information
Infants (ages 4-6)
Reception is the beginning of an exciting school journey. Each class benefits from a full-time teacher and classroom assistant, with access to well-resourced indoor and outdoor learning spaces.
Reception Assessment Information
Girls are invited to school for a friendly, informal assessment. This includes one-to-one activities with a teacher and small group play to ensure they’ll thrive in our environment.
Year 1 Entry (Age 5+)
Applicants usually spend time in class with peers and complete basic assessments in English and Mathematics. A reference is also requested from their current Head Teacher.
Infant Assessment Information
Our Approach
We focus on active, play-based learning, with early phonics introduced from the first week.
Apply or Enquire
We’re delighted you're considering Manchester High School for Girls. For entry in the next academic year or for in-year admissions, please:
- Register your interest
- Email our Admissions Team
- Call 0161 224 0447
Our team will guide you through the process and arrange a personalised tour.
Junior (ages 6-11)
Girls applying into Key Stage 2 are normally required to sit an entrance test. Applicants are tested in Mathematics and English and there are problem solving and cognitive ability tests. Papers set in previous examinations are not published, as the form may vary from year to year. Guidelines indicating the kind of work applicants are expected to be familiar with is sent to parents on receipt of a completed registration form. A school report is requested from the Head Teacher of the applicant’s present school.
If you are interested in applying for within year entry, please contact our Admissions Team to arrange a tour and discuss any applications by email, on 0161 224 0447 or register your interest. Our admissions team will be happy to discuss availability, guide you through the application process, and arrange a personalised tour of the school.
Within year admissions
Occasional vacancies occur from time to time as families move out of the area. The results of occasional vacancy assessments and offers of places are posted to parents at the earliest opportunity after the assessment date.
For further information, contact the Registrar on 0161 224 0447 or email them at [email protected].
Equality Policy
The School operates an equality policy and all girls are considered on merit.
The School welcomes girls from age four. However, there are opportunities to join the Preparatory School in all other year groups, subject to places being available. Please contact the Registrar for further information or enquire online.
Senior Admissions Information
Manchester High School for Girls is academically selective and sets its own entrance exam. Applicants for Year 7 are tested in Mathematics, Essay Writing, Comprehension, and Reasoning.
| Exam | Date |
|---|---|
| Senior School Entrance Exam | Wednesday 14th January 2026 |
| Junior School Entrance Exam | Saturday 17th January 2026 |
Those who perform well in the written exam may be invited to an interview. Not all interviewed candidates will receive offers. At interview, we assess potential, interests, and how well the candidate’s abilities match their exam performance.
Candidates might be asked to read aloud and may participate in activities different from the written tests. Each girl should bring something of personal interest to discuss.
A reference from the applicant’s current Head Teacher is required.
As part of the Greater Manchester Consortium of Independent Schools, offers are made according to Consortium dates. Exam results are not shared with candidates.
Sample questions in English Comprehension, Composition, and Mathematics are available to help prepare for the 11+ exam.
Download our sample questions here to support your preparation.
Scholarship
At age 11 plus, scholarships are awarded on the basis of performance in the entrance assessment and, in the case of music scholarships, and sports/dance scholarships, the individual’s performance at the audition, or assessment. Academic scholarships are awarded at the Head Mistress' discretion. Only a very small number of Bursaries are awarded each year. The decision to award a Bursary is based upon meeting the financial criteria and performing exceptionally well in the entrance assessment.
Within Year Admissions
Occasional vacancies occur from time to time as families move out of the area. Applicants for occasional vacancies in Years 7 to 10 will be tested in Mathematics, English, and a Modern Foreign Language. They will be asked to bring their Science exercise books with them to the assessment, as they will be interviewed by a specialist teacher in Science. The results of occasional vacancy assessments and offers of places are posted to parents at the earliest opportunity after the assessment date.
For further information, contact the Registrar on 0161 224 0447 or email them at [email protected].
Sixth Form Admissions Information
We welcome applications for admission into the Sixth Form, which is normally conditional upon students achieving at least a grade A or 7 at GCSE in the subjects they wish to study, good passes in English and Mathematics and having at least five GCSEs at grade 7 or above. Applicants studying Science and Additional Science at GCSE should note that grade 7 or above in Mathematics is required if they wish to study a Science subject at A level.
There is, however, a measure of flexibility in these entry requirements to cover unexpected circumstances and illness. When selecting candidates for admission into the Sixth Form, we are looking for enthusiastic learners with a proven track record of participation in extra-curricular activities. The school report is an important part of the selection process, as are the interviews with the Director of Sixth Form Studies and the Head Mistress.
Students applying for entry into the Sixth Form are interviewed during the spring and summer terms.
Occasionally, scholarships and bursaries are available to girls entering the Sixth Form. These are awarded, at the discretion of the Head Mistress, on the basis of GCSE results and also, in the case of bursaries, on parental income.
For more information on admission for any stage of Manchester High School for Girls, please contact 0161 224 0447 or email [email protected].
Open Events & Working Day Tours
To register for one of our Open Events or Working Day Tours, please visit our Open Events page.
