MANCHESTER Education Guide

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES UNIVERSITIES

Manchester is more than just an impressive place to live, it offers many great opportunities for you and your family to learn and grow in one of the UK’s, Europe’s and the wider world’s best education hubs.

There are a wealth of state and private primary schools, At primary level, the nearby schools offer children a secondary schools, universities and higher education well‑rounded education with respective Ofsted ratings institutions across Manchester - which match and ranging from Good to Outstanding. The variety of local surpass the high quality you would expect from a secondary schools is also impressive; from historic global city of its size. From Deansgate Square, there schools dating back hundreds of years to new up and is easy access to the local area’s best schools and the coming schools which regularly set new precedents for city’s many prestigious universities, offering children attainment and pupil development. and young adults an unrivalled selection of top learning environments.

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University of Manchester

WWW.MANCHESTER.AC.UK

18 mins 4 mins 8 mins

THEY SAY: THE UNIVERSITY OF - however, traditionally science has MANCHESTER IS A TRULY GLOBAL been a key area of research with 25 INSTITUTION, WITH A REPUTATION Nobel laureates amongst current FOR EDUCATION AND INNOVATION and former students and staff. THAT RESONATES ACROSS THE WORLD. How it performs: Recently ranked as the ‘8th Best University in the What to expect: A red brick UK’ by the Sunday Times, 93.6% university and part of the of graduates go straight into prestigious Russell Group, The employment or further study University of Manchester is the (Higher Education Statistics largest single-site university in the Agency) making it the most UK, and home to 40,000+ students targeted university by the nation’s NOTABLE ALUMNI: each year - the second most across top graduate employers (The Ernest Rutherford the country. Offering more subjects Graduate Market in 2019, High Prof. Brian Cox than any other institution, there is Flyers Research). Benedict Cumberbatch plenty of choice in terms of courses

Manchester Metropolitan University

WWW2.MMU.AC.UK

12 mins 4 mins 3 mins

THEY SAY: A GREAT, MODERN What to expect: Although officially How it performs: Manchester Met UNIVERSITY, IN A TOP GLOBAL formed in 1970 as Manchester is placed in the world’s top 200 CITY, WITH A DRIVING AMBITION Polytechnic, MMU traces its origins universities under 50 years old TO DISCOVER AND DISSEMINATE back to the 19th century, and (Times Higher Education Young KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE HIGHER the formation of the Manchester University Rankings) with 85% of EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE AND Mechanics Institute and the research offering ‘world-leading’ or BENEFICIAL TO ALL THOSE WITH Manchester School of Design. ‘internationally excellent’ impact. It THE PASSION AND ABILITY TO The University now sits across continues to offer graduates a great SUCCEED. two campuses in the city, with start to the world of work, with 33,000+ students making it the 94.6% finding full time employment sixth largest in the UK. Offering within six months. a vast array of courses, MMU has been commended for its research NOTABLE ALUMNI: and specialisms in both Business Steve Coogan Studies and Architecture, where it Dame Julie Walters is regularly listed in global Top 10s. Thomas Heatherwick CBE Currently undergoing £400m of investment, MMU is set to continue to grow in coming years.

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University of Salford

WWW.SALFORD.AC.UK

32 mins 8 mins 12 mins

THEY SAY: THE UNIVERSITY DRAWS base of the university, the new ON ITS HERITAGE OF INDUSTRIAL MediaCity campus sees more than LINKS TO OFFER REAL WORLD 1,500 students working within close LEARNING AND CREATE HIGHLY proximity of UK media staples the EMPLOYABLE GRADUATES. BBC and ITV. 20,000 students return to the university each year What to expect: Established in to study a number of courses, 1967, the University of Salford dates including leading research in back to the 19th century where it health, energy, media and the built Care. With strong links to local was known as the Royal Technical environment. business and industry, 86% of its Institute, Salford. Fast forward to graduates find work or go onto the present day, and the university How it performs: The University further study within six months of now operates across a number of of Salford ranks at 111th in the UK graduating. campuses within two miles west of (Sunday Times Higher Education) Manchester city centre. Although but regularly features in the top NOTABLE ALUMNI: the Peel Park Campus with its red 10 for subject-specific rankings L. S. Lowry brick Peel Building is the main including Media and Health & Social Peter Kay

Royal Northern College of Music

WWW.RNCM.AC.UK

16 mins 5 mins 7 mins

What to expect: Now in its fifth How it performs: Research decade, the RNCM is relatively Excellence Framework (REF) young, but its rich history spans rated the RNCM the UK’s leading back to 1893 when Sir Charles Hallé music college for research and founded the Royal Manchester in 2017 the College was ranked College of Music. In 1973, this Gold in the Higher Education institution merged with the Funding Council for England’s first Northern School of Music, and the Teaching Excellence Framework. RNCM was born. Today, the College The RNCM has also been awarded is a thriving conservatoire with two Times Higher Education THEY SAY: THE RNCM IS A around 320 teaching staff and 880 Awards: Excellence and Innovation LEADING INTERNATIONAL students from nearly 60 different in the Arts (2015) and Outstanding CONSERVATOIRE LOCATED IN THE countries. The college offers International Student Strategy HEART OF MANCHESTER, WITH a range of undergraduate and (2016). A REPUTATION FOR ATTRACTING postgraduate courses looking at TALENTED STUDENTS, TEACHERS, all aspects of musical performance NOTABLE ALUMNI: CONDUCTORS AND COMPOSERS and composition. Helen Sherman FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. Eva Thorarinsdottir

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Manchester Grammar School

WWW.MGS.ORG

56 mins 11 mins 18 mins

THEY SAY: THE AIM AND ETHOS OF creative environment in which its NOTABLE ALUMNI: MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL pupils flourish. MGS offers places Chris Addison IS TO TEACH BOYS TO ‘THINK FOR based on assessment for boys aged Faisal Islam THEMSELVES AND DEVELOP A TRUE 7 through to post 16 with annual Sir Ben Kingsley SENSE OF SCHOLARSHIP’, FIRMLY fees of £12,930, or £4,310 per term. FOLLOWING THE MOTTO “SAPERE AUDE” MEANING “DARE TO BE How it performs: The most recent WISE”. ISI inspection (May 2019) awarded the school with the highest grade What to expect: Founded in 1515, in all areas. Last year’s GCSE results MGS’ long and prestigious history saw 89% of pupils earning grades 9, has seen it establish a reputation as 8 or 7 (A* or A) across all subjects, one of the country’s top academic while 89% of A-level grades were A* and independent institutions. It is - B. In 2018 it was also recognised also the UK’s largest independent as the Northwest’s top independent day school for boys and prides itself secondary school. on providing an inspirational and

Manchester High School for Girls

WWW.MANCHESTERHIGH.CO.UK

50 mins 11 mins 17 mins

THEY SAY: MHSG HAS A VISION school’s rich social and cultural TO INSPIRE GIRLS TO PURSUE THE environment. MHSG is open to girls ‘HIGHEST ACADEMIC, PERSONAL from ages 4, 7, 11 and 16 and entry is AND MORAL STANDARDS’, AIMING subject to assessment by interview TO EMPOWER THEM TO BECOME and GCSE grades for Sixth Form. ‘RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL CITIZENS, Fees range from £7,650 to £10,683 WHO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON per annum depending on year THE WORLD’. group. NOTABLE ALUMNI: What to expect: The school is How it performs: MHSG’s most Anushka Asthana revered for the quality of its recent ISI inspection (November Emma Barnett teaching and the life skills it 2019) shows the school meets all of Judy Finnigan, provides its students to help the required standards. The school them achieve their best and equip also showed strong results in last them for their future careers. The year’s GCSEs, with more than half accommodating and wide subject of all grades being 8 or 9 (A or A*) offering is complemented by its over 90% of A-level results being state-of-the-art facilities and the A*- B.

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Chetham’s School of Music

WWW.CHETHAMS.COM

22 mins 8 mins 9 mins

THEY SAY: CHETHAM’S IS THE school boasts a superb array of board. Both its GCSE and A-Level ‘LARGEST SPECIALIST MUSIC facilities, particularly for ICT and results from last year are similarly SCHOOL IN THE UK’, AND SINCE the sciences, but it is famed for its impressive with 96% and 92% of IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1969 HAS music buildings and programmes pupils passing with grades from A*- PROVEN ITSELF AS A ‘CENTRAL of study. Chetham’s also embraces C respectively. A large percentage PART OF MUSIC EDUCATION’ FOR the freedom and vibrancy of the of pupils also go on to further study THE WHOLE COUNTRY. surrounding city and strives to and achievement in music and the bring a real community feel to performing arts. What to expect: Chetham’s is its curriculum and culture. Places not just an independent music are subject to auditions and fees NOTABLE ALUMNI: school, it also offers excellent can vary from £25,821 to £35,697 Max Beesley academic courses for students depending on age, nationality and Olivia Chaney and a multitude of pathways boarding status. Doug Naylor into further education or professional development and How it performs: The school was careers. Students can join from assessed by the ISI in January age 8 and stay through until 20 2020 and was deemed to have and two thirds of the 300 pupils met all the required standards, are accepted as boarders. The with ‘excellent’ teaching across the

Trinity Church of England High School

WWW.TRINITYHIGH.COM

18 mins 5 mins 7 mins

THEY SAY: TRINITY PROVIDES A academic departments and benefits WELL-BALANCED, OUTSTANDING from a wide range of other superb ACADEMIC EDUCATION TO facilities right on its doorstep. STUDENTS OF ALL FAITHS AND COMMUNITIES OF MANCHESTER. How it performs: Ofsted rated the school as ‘Outstanding’ during its What to expect: Established in last inspection and 65% of pupils at 1984, the high school prides itself Trinity gained at least 5 A* to C or on ensuring young people are safe, 9-4 grade GCSEs including English secure, cared for and happy and and Maths. At A-level, the sixth are able to develop into articulate, form also boasts impressive results well-qualified citizens of the where pupils recently achieved a world. The school has developed 98% pass rate overall, with a 34% significantly in recent years, the pass rate at A*-B. latest addition being its sixth form which opened in September, 2016. NOTABLE ALUMNI: Trinity is uniquely placed in the Danny Welbeck heart of the University District and Keir Thomas as such enjoys close links with many

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Withington Girls School

WWW.WGS.ORG

58 mins 11 mins 21 mins

THEY SAY: WITHINGTON GIRLS’ enjoy a supportive and friendly and last year 59% of all GCSE SCHOOL IS ONE OF THE UK’S environment that teaches a wide pupils earned Grade 7 or above LEADING INDEPENDENT DAY range of subjects and instills (equivalent from A* to A). Equally SCHOOLS FOR GIRLS, WHICH HAS important life lessons. Beyond this, 93% of A-level pupils earned A* to ‘SOME OF THE BEST ACADEMIC the school boasts excellent facilities B grades in their subjects. The last RESULTS IN THE COUNTRY’ and prides itself on the breadth of ISI inspection (September 2017) THAT THEY ATTAIN WITHIN ‘A extra curricular activities available described the school as ‘excellent’ LIVELY, HAPPY AND CARING to its pupils. Fees per term range and praised WGS for the quality ENVIRONMENT’. from £3,065 to £4,084 depending of the personal development of its on age and some means-tested students. What to expect: WGS was opened bursaries are offered each year. in 1890 and while it may have NOTABLE ALUMNI: grown substantially from its How it performs: The school Kate Abdo beginnings as a pioneering school recently received the Sunday Times’ Sarah Burton for only four female pupils, it still accolade for being 2020’s top Judith Chalmers maintains the founding principles independent secondary school in of helping girls achieve an excellent the north-west. The school’s GCSE standard of academic achievement. and A-Level results are consistently Today, girls from ages 7 to 18 can well above the national average

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Manchester Grammar Junior School

WWW.WWW.MGS.ORG/194/JUNIOR-SCHOOL

56 mins 11 mins

THEY SAY: THE JUNIOR SCHOOL as Robotics or Business Studies. OFFERS A CHALLENGING AND The school also studies a variety of CREATIVE CURRICULUM TO INSPIRE languages including Spanish in Year OUR PUPILS TO BECOME PROBLEM 3, French in Year 4, Latin in Year 5 SOLVERS AND TO TAKE RISKS FROM and Italian in Year 6. Applications EARLY IN THEIR SCHOOL CAREERS. are welcomed for entry to any of Years 3, 4, 5 or 6, subject to spaces What to expect: With automatic being available and applicants will entry into the senior school, MGS’ be invited to attend an Assessment Junior School gives boys aged Day of taught lessons for selection. 4 to 11 the perfect start to their education. As an independent How it performs: As an school, children are able to learn independent school, it doesn’t sit a wide range of topics outside any external examinations in junior of the National Curriculum, and school and all boys automatically they are encouraged to take up gain entry to the senior school. additional activities in areas such

Manchester High School for Girls Preparatory Department

WWW.MANCHESTERHIGH.CO.UK/PREP

50 mins 11 mins

THEY SAY: THE PREPARATORY an understanding of the school’s DEPARTMENT IS A PLACE WHERE history and a sense of belonging. GIRLS AGED 4 TO 11 CAN ENJOY For entry into the Reception class A BREADTH OF EXCITING AND at ages four plus, girls are invited CHALLENGING ACTIVITIES, into school for an Assessment Day. BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE Girls applying into Key Stage 2 are CLASSROOM. required to sit an entrance test in Mathematics and English and there What to expect: The school’s wide are problem solving and cognitive and varied curriculum is full of ability tests. Fees range from £8,931 opportunity and empowers girls to £9,072 depending on the school to know they can achieve their year. goals. A vast array of themed days, visiting speakers and trips all help How it performs: MHSG’s most to contextualise learning and bring recent ISI inspection (November it to life. All pupils belong to a 2019) shows the school meets all of house named after female founders its required standards. of Manchester High, developing

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St Alphonsus R.C. Primary School

WWW.STALPHONSUS-TRAFFORD.CO.UK

17 mins 5 mins

THEY SAY: ST ALPHONSUS IS A of achievement. There are religious Notable information: The school ‘HAPPY SCHOOL’ WHICH PRIDES admissions requirements but is connected to Greensteds ITSELF ON PROVIDING A ‘SAFE AND exceptions can be made subject to International School in Nakuru, SECURE ENVIRONMENT’ IN WHICH available places. Kenya. THE PUPILS CAN ‘GROW AND LEARN WITH CONFIDENCE’. How it performs: The school’s last Ofsted report (May 2014) rated St What to expect: The curriculum Alphonsus ‘Outstanding’ and noted that is taught at St Alphonsus the exceptional behaviour and the incorporates elements of the dedication and enthusiasm of its Catholic faith, but also supports teaching staff as a key strength. and promotes learning about wider The KS2 SATs results are also cultures and religions - embracing impressive with expected levels of the local communities and life in attainment well above the national the city. Standards of teaching are average across the core assessment exceptional, the pupils here are safe subjects. and consistently show high levels

Old Trafford Community Academy

WWW.OLDTRAFFORDCOMMUNITYACADEMY.CO.UK

17 mins 4 mins

THEY SAY: THE SCHOOL FOLLOWS What to expect: Pupils receive a How it performs: Old Trafford THE ‘SAME VALUES AS THE OTHER balanced but broad curriculum and Community Academy shows strong ACADEMIES WITHIN THE [FOCUS] the school aims to equip pupils to results with just over half of its TRUST’ AND THEY STRIVE TO be ready for life in modern Britain. cohort making the expected KS2 BE FAIR, HONEST AND PROVIDE As a state-funded school it is open SATs levels of progress. In addition, THEIR CHILDREN WITH A CARING to children from all lifestyles and the last Ofsted report (May 2017) LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. backgrounds in the catchment shows the school to be consistently area and strives to promote their ‘Good’ and praises the friendly and core values in all elements of their welcoming atmosphere and the educational programmes. As the well-established, successful routines name suggests, ‘community’ is also and teaching systems. The school high on the school’s agenda. This is open to admissions from January is an academy that actively works and places are highly sought after. with families and runs groups and sessions with parents to get them Notable information: As part of more involved with their children’s the Focus Trust the school is fully education. compliant with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

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SALFORD 3 7 OLDHAM ROAD

UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD CHETHAM’S SCHOOL OF MUSIC ANCOATS CHAPEL STREET

A57(M) BRADFORD A57(M) MANCHESTER

REGENT ROAD

ASHTON OLD ROAD ORDSALL CASTLE DEANSGATE WHARF SQUARE MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN 2 SALFORD QUAYS UNIVERSITY CHESTER ROAD ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE 4 OF MUSIC 1 UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER OLD TRAFFORD COMMUNITY ACADEMY 8 A6 11 TRINITY CHURCH OF ENGLAND HIGH SCHOOL 10 OXFORD ROAD ST ALPHONSUS R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL

OLD TRAFFORD PRINCESS ROAD

RUSHOLME

5

6 MANCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL

MANCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

9

WITHINGTON GIRLS SCHOOL

UNIVERSITIES WALK CAR BICYCLE

1 University of Manchester 18 mins 4 mins 8 mins 2 Manchester Metropolitan University 12 mins 4 mins 3 mins 3 University of Salford 32 mins 8 mins 12 mins 4 Royal Northern College of Music 16 mins 5 mins 7 mins

SECONDARY SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

5 Manchester Grammar School 56 mins 11 mins 18 mins 6 Manchester High School for Girls 50 mins 11 mins 17 mins 7 Chetham’s School of Music 22 mins 8 mins 9 mins 8 Trinity Church of England High School 18 mins 5 mins 7 mins 9 Withington Girls School 58 mins 11 mins 21 mins

PREPARATORY & PRIMARY SCHOOLS

5 Manchester Grammar Junior School 56 mins 11 mins - 6 Manchester High School for Girls Preparatory Department 50 mins 11 mins -

10 St Alphonsus R.C. Primary School 17 mins 5 mins - 11 Old Trafford Community Academy 17 mins 4 mins -

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