Moving up to Senior School at Manchester High

The following information is specifically for girls currently attending our Preparatory School. External candidates joining us for Year 7 will receive separate guidance tailored to their application and admissions process.

Moving Up to the Senior School

As our Prep School girls step into Year 6, the journey towards the Senior School begins in earnest. From September, girls begin preparations for the entrance examination. We believe that this experience, while all girls have automatic entry, brings with it valuable challenge and a sense of achievement. Sitting the exam alongside candidates from other schools strikes just the right balance: a healthy dose of pressure, tempered by the reassurance of familiarity and support.

Academic Preparation

Year 6 preparation builds on the immense amount of work achieved throughout the Preparatory School. In the autumn term, curriculum coverage, particularly in English and Maths, is carefully developed to ensure the girls are well-equipped for the examination. They work through a broad range of practice papers from schools of a similar academic standard, many of which they will not have seen before, helping to sharpen skills and build confidence. Timed practice becomes a regular feature, helping girls become comfortable working under pressure.

Reasoning and Resilience

Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning are taught from the beginning of Year 6 and continue to be developed throughout the term. Alongside this, we place great emphasis on examination resilience; teaching the girls how to manage challenge, stay calm, and bounce back when faced with something unfamiliar. These are life skills as much as academic ones, and we see them as key to building confidence and independence.

Interview with the Head Mistress

Following the examination, each girl is invited, along with her parents, to attend an interview with the Headmistress, Mrs Jeys. It is a warm, thoughtful conversation designed to look beyond the paper and uncover the individual. Mrs Jeys is looking for:

Academic ability
A spark of intelligence
Potential
A wide range of interests
A high level of motivation

Bursaries & Scholarships

All bursaries are means tested, and financial assistance with tuition fees is offered according to a sliding scale linked to family income. Bursaries are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and are granted at the discretion of the Headmistress. We understand that circumstances vary, and we are committed to supporting families where we can, to ensure that an exceptional education remains accessible.

We are proud to offer a range of scholarships to recognise and encourage outstanding talent:

Academic Scholarships

One or more academic scholarships may be awarded for excellence in the entrance examination. These awards are competitive and recognise girls who demonstrate exceptional academic potential.

Music, Sport and Dance Scholarships

We also offer scholarships in Music, Sport, and Dance. Candidates must demonstrate a high level of achievement in their chosen discipline and may be invited to attend a further assessment or audition as part of the selection process.

Accepting an Offer

Please note that we do not assume acceptance of a place in the Senior School, even for our Prep pupils. The North West Consortium, of which we are a proud member and current Chair, sets key dates and deadlines for responding to offers and it is essential that we adhere to them.

We kindly ask that you respond promptly to any offer received. If a place is not accepted by the deadline, especially where a financial award (such as a bursary or scholarship) has been granted, it may be withdrawn in accordance with Consortium guidelines.

Looking for full Year 7 Admissions details?

Visit our Year 7 Admissions page to view entry requirements, key dates and scholarship information for external applicants.

How to Join Senior School

Moving Up to Senior School