Ever wonder what actor Ben Kingsley, sports broadcaster Kate Abdo, and British sprinter Kirsten McAslan have in common? All three are alumni of leading private schools in Manchester — Kingsley attended Manchester Grammar School, Abdo went to Withington Girls' School, and McAslan studied at Manchester High School for Girls.
Apart from academic excellence and comprehensive extracurricular programs, these private institutions are also known for their rich history, modern facilities, and global outlook. These qualities are among the reasons why private schools in the UK are a popular choice for parents and students, regardless of the city they live in. This guide provides an in-depth look at the top private institutions in Manchester, helping you choose the best school for an enriching educational experience.
| School | Type of School | Best Features |
|---|---|---|
| Withington Girls' School | Girls' independent day school (ages 7–18) | Top academic performance; strong facilities; excellent reputation |
| The Manchester Grammar School | Boys' independent day school (ages 7–18) | Prestigious academics; broad extracurriculars; historic reputation |
| Manchester High School for Girls | Girls' independent day school (ages 4–18) | Long‑established; strong academics; excellent pastoral care |
| St Bede's College | Co‑educational Catholic independent school (ages 3–18) | All‑through schooling; strong community values; balanced academics |
| Bridgewater School | Co-educational day school for boys and girls | Offers well-rounded education and places emphasis on individuality where every student's needs are met |
| Chetham's School of Music | Co‑educational specialist music school (ages 8–18) | World‑class music training; strong arts facilities; central location |
| Abbey College Manchester | Co‑educational sixth‑form/college (ages 14–23) | Flexible academic pathways; strong for A‑levels and resits |
| Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls | Girls' independent faith-based school | Islamic ethos; supportive community; structured learning environment |
| Moor Allerton Preparatory School | Co‑educational preparatory school | Good early‑years foundation; nurturing environment |
| Manchester Muslim Preparatory School | Co‑educational preparatory school | Faith‑based early years education; strong foundation years |
| Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boy | Faith-based (Islamic) boys’ day school | Strong academic results with emphasis of religious education |
🏫 Overview of Manchester's Private Education Landscape
Private schools in Manchester cater not only to high school students, but also to primary and even nursery education.
🔍 Number and Distribution of Private Schools
Private schools in Manchester are spread across the city and come in various types, including co-educational, all-boys, and all-girls institutions. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the top private schools Manchester has to offer (in no particular order).
📍 Withington Girls' School
Established in 1890, Withington Girls' School is an award-winning independent school in Manchester, which boasts academic excellence and extensive co-curricular offerings for female students aged 7 to 19.
The school was recently awarded the title of Northwest Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the 2026 edition, recognising its outstanding GCSE and A-Level results. 1
Withington is also known for its commitment to its physical sports and fitness programmes, as well as performing arts education through music and drama.
Location:
📍100 Wellington Road, Fallowfield Manchester M14 6BL
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£15,258 (Junior School)
📍£19,998 (Senior School)
📍£19,008 (Sixth Form)
If you are a parent, here are some important pointers to take note of during the upcoming applications for entry:
Important dates
- Junior School application deadline: 8th December 2026 (Monday)
- Senior School application deadline: 5th December 2026 (Friday)
- Sixth Form application from Jan 2026 onwards
What to prepare earlier
- A recent photograph of your daughter
- Copies of her full birth certificate
- Information page of her passport
- Personal statement (for Sixth Form)
Steps of admission
- Complete the admission form (online)
- Pay non-refundable registration fee (£66)
- Wait for email notification of assessment & interview details
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📍 The Manchester Grammar School
Founded in 1515, the Manchester Grammar School is a highly reputable educational institution which offers a holistic education to boys aged 7–18. Besides emphasising a strong academic focus, the school also offers a broad spectrum of extracurricular activities such as hockey, choir, and theatre.
Location:
📍Old Hall Lane, Manchester, M13 0XT
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£18,666 for all year groups (For 2025/2026)
Important info: For the upcoming admission entry, the deadlines for Year 7 and Junior School have been closed on Monday 17 November 2025. However, you can still contact the Admissions Manager to inquire about availability for assessment.
In terms of bursary applications, the deadline for Year 12 for September 2026 entry is Friday 6 March 2026. Remember to check the official portal to get the links to the online application forms.
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📍 Manchester High School for Girls
Manchester High School for Girls is another top private school in the city, catering to girls from the ages of 4 to 18. An institution with a rich history and values, the school is known for its all-around education, where students thrive in their academic, athletic and artistic pursuits.
Location:
📍Grangethorpe Road, Manchester, M14 6HS
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£13,518 (Reception to Year 2)
📍£13,518 (Year 3 to Year 4)
📍£13,590 (Year 5 to Year 6)
📍£18,051(Year 7 to Year 13)
Whether you're a parent or student, here are some key admission details to take note of:
Prep
(ages 4 -6)
- For infants, there will be an informal assessment (adapting to the class)
- For Year 1+ entry, basic English and Maths tests
- A reference from their current Head Teacher
Junior
(ages 6-11)
- Applicants will be tested on English and Maths
- Questions on problem-solving and cognitive abilities
- School report from the applicant's current Head Teacher
Senior
(Admission at 11+)
- Tested in Maths, Essay Writing, Comprehension, and Reasoning
- Those who passed the written test will be called for an interview
- A reference from the applicant’s current Head Teacher
📍 St Bede's College
St Bede's College is widely known as Manchester's only Catholic HMC Independent School, where it caters to both male and female students aged 3 to 18. This college merges tradition and innovation in its educational values, welcoming students of all faiths, even though it is a Catholic school.
Location:
📍Alexandra Park Road (or Alexandra Road South), Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8HX
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£10,800 (Nursery)
📍£12,171 (Prep)
📍£17,007 (College)
The school only accepts applications for the following age groups: Prep (Nursery –Year 6), College (Years 7–10) and Sixth Form (Years 12). Only online applications are accepted, and any documents are uploaded via the Admission Portal. Parents and students are welcome to book a school tour with the Admissions team before applying.
Important note: Older applicants will undergo age-appropriate assessments on English, Maths and reasoning tasks.
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📍 Bridgewater School
Bridgewater School is known for nurturing individuality in boys and girls aged 3 to 18 by offering a forward-thinking and inclusive academic environment. From the Early Years through to Sixth Form, every student is supported in terms of their wellbeing and personal growth.
Location:
📍Drywood Hall, Worsley Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2WQ
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£10,613 (Kindergarten)
📍£10,613 (Prep level)
📍£14,291 (Senior)
Important note: Applicants for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) will start the first school term after their third birthday.
Entry for Prep School:
- Download registration form
- Personal tour with Head of Prep
- Assessment of literacy and reading ability, plus maths
Entry for Senior School:
- Download registration form
- Computer-based assessment in English and Maths
- A piece of free writing and an interview
Entry for Sixth Form:
- Download registration form
- Meeting with the Head of Sixth Form and interview with the Headteacher
- The offer is finalised after the release of GCSE results
📍 Chetham's School of Music
If you love and breathe music, then Chetham's School of Music is surely your dream school in Manchester. It is a specialist music school which receives male and female students between the ages of 8 and 18 through musical auditions.
Location:
📍Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£34,204 (Day students)
📍£44,148 (Boarding students)
📍£210 (Non-refundable acceptance fee)
Here are some important tips to prepare ahead if you are interested in applying:
- Fill up the application form and let your current Headteacher sign it
- Prepare a reference and school reports earlier
- Make copies of any exam certificates or proofs of participation in music events
- Complete the Tutor Reference Form (filled by your music tutor)
- Prepare YouTube links to video recordings of at least two pieces on the principal study instrument and at least one piece on any other instrument/s if applicable
- Prepare the application fee of £144
📍 Abbey College Manchester
Abbey College Manchester is an established independent Sixth Form college under the Abbey DLD Colleges Group. It is known for its dedication to personalised learning in small classes to help students achieve exceptional learning while preparing them for their desired undergraduate pathways.
Located in the heart of Manchester, it offers a wide range of subject selections under GCSE, A-Level, as well as preparation pathway for university courses.
Location:
📍5-7 Cheapside, off King Street, Manchester, M2 4WG
Tuition Fee:
📍£5,560.80 (GCSE One Year per term)
📍£6,240 (A-Level per term)
📍£6,280 (Preparation pathway for university per term)
Here's an overview of the admission journey:
Step 1
Enquiry and tour
Attend open events or request private tours to inquire about courses
Step 2
Application
Complete the online application and attach the requested documents
Step 3
Interview
If the application is successful (where entry requirements are met), applicants will be called for an interview
Step 4
Offer
The offer is given and accepted
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📍 Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls
Now, let's look at the Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls (MIGSG), a premier Islamic independent girls' school in the city. The school is a part of the Manchester Islamic Educational Trust and focuses on implementing faith-based education while cultivating academic excellence and curricular enrichment.
Location:
📍141 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2PQ
Tuition Fee:
📍£9,796.80 (Full fee for first child registration)
📍£8,327.28 (15% discount for second child registration)
📍£7,347.60 (25% discount for third and additional sibling registration)
Applications are generally opened throughout the year, where applicants will submit an application form with relevant documents, sit for a general entrance exam and have an interview with the Head Teacher. For the Year 7 entrance test, candidates will sit for the following tests on a specified date:
- Verbal Reasoning: 36 mins
- Non Verbal Reasoning: 32 mins
- English: 25 mins
- Maths: 50 mins
- Creative writing exam: 30 mins
📍 Moor Allerton Preparatory School
Moor Allerton is one of the best independent preparatory schools in Manchester, which opens its doors to boys and girls aged from 4 months to 11 years.
It is a place where pupils experience small class sizes and individualised attention throughout the learning process, where they are equipped to gain entry to the top private high schools in Manchester, like St Bede's and Manchester Grammar School.
Location:
📍131 Barlow Moor Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2PW
Tuition Fee:
📍£5,070 (Nursery per term)
📍£4,074 (Pre-school, 3 to 4 years old per term)
📍£4,074 (Reception to Year 6)
Important note: Before admission, prospective applicants will undergo some essential testing in Mathematics, English (including reading and writing) and Verbal Reasoning – they will be age-appropriate.
📍 Kassim Darwish (KD) Grammar School for Boys
Last but not least, let's look at KD Grammar School for Boys. It is also a faith-based school, which makes learning an enriching experience through its extensive academic curriculum, physical education offerings and the study of the Quran.
Location:
📍Hartley Hall, Alexandra Road South, Manchester, M16 8NH
Annual Tuition Fee:
📍£10,420,80 (Full fee for first child)
📍 The second child will receive a 15% discount, and subsequent siblings will receive a 25% discount
Similar to the Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls, applicants will sit for a digital entrance test for the Year 7 intake as follows:
- Verbal Reasoning (36 mins)
- Non Verbal Reasoning (32 mins)
- English (25 mins)
- Maths (50 mins)
- Creative Writing (30 mins)
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➡️ Reviewing The Schools: Making Sense of the Data
We hope this guide has offered you a comprehensive overview of how to choose the right private school in Manchester. As you read and review the schools, you'll notice that many factors come into play, whether it's academic performance, extracurricular offerings, financial implications, or the school's culture.
The schools listed in this article definitely show solid academic results with high passing rates, especially for important exams like GCSE and A-Level. 2 There's certainly no qualms about their facilities and learning environment too.
Eventually, you'll have to decide based on the school type and the school fees:
St Bede's College, Bridgewater School, Chetham's School of Music, Abbey College Manchester, Moor Allerton Preparatory School,
The Manchester Grammar School, Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys, Withington Girls' School, Manchester High School for Girls, Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls
Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls, Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys, St Bede's College
Moor Allerton Preparatory School
Abbey College Manchester
Chetham's School of Music
Here's an overview of the estimated tuition fees of these top private schools in Manchester. Be sure to check the official sites for the latest fee structure as it may vary each year.
| School | Annual Fees (approx., senior unless noted, inc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Withington Girls' School | £19,998 |
| Manchester Grammar School | £18,666 |
| Manchester High School for Girls | £18,051 |
| St Bede's College | £14,661 (rising Sep 2025) |
| Bridgewater School | £18,162 |
| Chetham's School of Music | £28,506 |
| Abbey College Manchester | £15,600+ (Year 12 A-level) |
| Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls | £9,797 (first child) |
| Moor Allerton Preparatory School | £12,222 (Reception-Year 6) |
| Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys | £10,421 |
💡Conclusion
Quality in education is what makes learning a pleasure and a joy.
Myron Tribus
While it's important to weigh your priorities after the research and school visits as parents, the rule of thumb when selecting any private school, regardless of whether you're in Manchester or Scotland remains the same.
The core of your final decision should always centre around your child's needs and interests.
You can even discuss with him or her (if they're older) about their thoughts on the school environment and their learning aspirations, in terms of academic or non-academic pursuits.
Additionally, if your child wants to master any subject in school, you can always connect with an experienced tutor on Superprof to have flexible and personalised one-to-one tutoring at your own home in Manchester.
Head to the Superprof homepage to review a wide selection of tutors' profiles before booking your first lesson! All the best in learning and applying to your desired private school!
References
- Niamh. (2025, December 5). Seventh Sunday Times award in a row for Withington Girls’ School. Withington Girls’ School. https://www.wgs.org/news-views-events/seventh-sunday-times-award-in-a-row-for-withington-girls-school/
- The best schools in the North West | Top school guide. (2025, January 10). Top School Guide. https://www.topschoolguide.com/uk/league-tables/schools-by-region/best-schools-in-the-north-west/
- Myron Tribus Quote: “Quality in education is what makes learning a pleasure and a joy.” (n.d.). https://quotefancy.com/quote/1663022/Myron-Tribus-Quality-in-education-is-what-makes-learning-a-pleasure-and-a-joy
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