Withington Girls' School
Encyclopedia
Withington Girls' School is an independent
day school in Fallowfield
, Manchester
, United Kingdom, providing education for girls between the ages of seven and eighteen. Withington Girls' School is a member of the Girls' Schools Association
and a MyDaughter
school. Withington is consistently ranked in the top ten schools in national league tables. It is also the only school in the north of England ranked within the top twenty independent schools nationwide based on A Level results.
Despite much development academically and physically over the years, the school has tried to remain true in essence to these principles.
, as it is the occasion upon which the lives and works of the school's founders are celebrated, as well as the Upper Sixth students, each of whom receive a book, as a present from the school.
It is held annually at the Bridgewater Hall
, in Manchester
. It usually occurs in October, however has been known to change.
All parent and governors of the school are invited to enjoy music from the choir and the orchestra, the headmistress's and head girl's speeches, as well as a speech from a special guest
, usually an inspirational or leading woman.
Gaudeamus igitur,
Juvenes dum sumus,
Gaudeamus igitur,
Juvenes dum sumus,
Post jucundum juventutem,
Post molestam senectutem,
Nos habebit humus,
Nos habebit humus.
Vivat academia,
Vivant professores,
Vivat academia,
Vivant professores,
Vivat membrum quodlibet,
Vivat membra quaelibet,
Semper sint in flore,
Semper sint in flore.
Vivant et republica,
et quae illam regit,
Vivant et republica,
et quae illam regit,
Vivat nostra civitas,
Maecenatum caritas,
Quae nos hic protegit,
Quae nos hic protegit.
Sixth Form pupils do not wear uniform, and follow a very casual dress code unlike most other girls schools, as suits are not at all compulsory.
Below are listed a selection of the incredible trips on offer:
In Senior School the years are split into three forms; W, X and Y. These letters were chosen as it was agreed that if A, B and C were used, pupils would feel like the class they were in was an indication of their intelligence. However, the school didn't want anybody to feel even worse because they were in class Z, at the very bottom, and so decided on the fourth to last, third to last, and second to last letters of the alphabet.
The school has approximately 550 girls in the senior school of which approximately 150 are in the 6th form
. Pupils come from all over the Greater Manchester conurbation and Cheshire to attend the school.
The school enjoys close ties with the Manchester Grammar School
and has collaborated with them many times in areas such as drama and music. It also enjoys a friendly rivalry with Manchester High School for Girls
, and lesser so with Manchester Grammar School
.
The school attempts to function in an atmosphere of respect for self and others and without the need for long lists of rules and regulations.
With fewer than 100 girls in the junior school and 540 in the senior, Withington provides a wide range of experience which goes well beyond the classroom, yet retains a friendly, responsive environment which encourages each girl to fulfil her whole potential. This stimulates a high standard of achievement, which is visible from Withington's high status in the League Tables.
The school benefits greatly from the cosmopolitan background which the city and University of Manchester have always provided.
The school suffered a serious arson attack in August 2003, but took this as an opportunity to build new science labs, and 2 years ago also built a new sixth form common room.
There is a fierce rivalry between houses, which greatly improves the standard of the above competitions.
As the girls move up the school, other subjects are available, including:
is available, and for instrument
players of any standard there is an orchestra
(Middle School Orchestra for beginners and Senior Orchestra for those of Grade 5 or above).
There is also jazz
band, wind band and the Thursday Singers.
There are many concerts throughout the school year, including the Christmas Concert, the Rotarians' Christmas party and the Summer Concert, as well as Founders Day, and many others.
All girls are given the offer to have instrument lessons inside school.
In the winter, girls have lessons in:
In the summer, girls have lessons in:
Withington houses many county and national players, and a trampolinist - Sasha Carter - who has represented her country at international trampolining competitions.
For girls in Third form to Upper Fourth the English department put on an annual play.
For girls in Lower Fifth, the drama department does "a play in a week", meaning a week of intense rehearsals, followed by two performances on the Saturday.
Last year Withington collaborated with MGS, to put on Singin' in the Rain
, which was incredibly successful.
There are also a handful of plays dotted around the academic year, available to different age groups.
All girls, of any age, can study drama. Recently, GCSE drama has become available for girls in Lower Fifth to Upper Fifth, and AS and A2 Level has been a long-running success. As part of the GCSE and A-Level specification requires, all students put on a play.
award, and Withington has seen many girls go onto Gold level.
Withington also has a very successful Model United Nations
scheme, known as WiMUN - Withington MUN, and in 2008 and 2009 were the overall winners of MUNCH - Model United Nations at Cheadle Hulme - a massive achievement. They have also performed to an extremely high standard at other conferences, including Stockport Grammar School
, Royal Russel School Internation Model United Nations, and Bath.
Sixth formers are also given the option to take part in the Young Enterprise scheme, under which they start a company, and attempt to make a profit through selling products. This has been very successful, with many companies winning prizes at both regional and national levels.
There are also many clubs which allow students to expand academically, such as
Girls are also given the opportunity to participate in charity
societies, including St. Ann's Hospice Young Volunteer Scheme, and Amnesty International
.
The first lesson commences at 9:20, and the school day ends at 3:45.
The first begins at 10.35, and lasts for approximately twenty minutes.
The next provides girls an opportunity to eat lunch, and participate in lunch-time activities, including robotics club and hockey club. It begins at 12.05, and ends at 13.10.
The third break only lasts five minutes - from 2.30 to 2.35.
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
day school in Fallowfield
Fallowfield
Ladybarn is the part of Fallowfield to the south-east. Chancellors Hotel & Conference Centre is used by the University of Manchester: it was built by Edward Walters for Sir Joseph Whitworth, as were the Firs Botanical Grounds.-Religion:...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, United Kingdom, providing education for girls between the ages of seven and eighteen. Withington Girls' School is a member of the Girls' Schools Association
Girls' Schools Association
The Girls' Schools Association is the professional association of the heads of independent girls' schools in the UK and overseas and is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council .-History:...
and a MyDaughter
MyDaughter
MyDaughter is a British website set up by the Girls' Schools Association offering advice to parents of daughters on all aspects of raising and educating girls...
school. Withington is consistently ranked in the top ten schools in national league tables. It is also the only school in the north of England ranked within the top twenty independent schools nationwide based on A Level results.
Traditions
The founders' principles have been influential in its development. The school seeks to remain relatively small. It strives to achieve and maintain high standards in the delivery of education and the results achieved by the girls but does not award prizes.Its aims
The founders of the school stipulated that:- the school should remain small, to allow for the individual development of each girl
- all girls should be taught the natural sciences, as an excellent intellectual training
- there should be more physical exercise and practical work than usual in girls' schools
- no prizes should be awarded, as the pleasure of academic work should be its own reward
Despite much development academically and physically over the years, the school has tried to remain true in essence to these principles.
Founders' Day
Founders' day is an important part of the school calendarCalendar
A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes. This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months, and years. The name given to each day is known as a date. Periods in a calendar are usually, though not...
, as it is the occasion upon which the lives and works of the school's founders are celebrated, as well as the Upper Sixth students, each of whom receive a book, as a present from the school.
It is held annually at the Bridgewater Hall
Bridgewater Hall
The Bridgewater Hall is an international concert venue in Manchester city centre, England. It cost around £42 million to build and currently hosts over 250 performances a year....
, in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. It usually occurs in October, however has been known to change.
All parent and governors of the school are invited to enjoy music from the choir and the orchestra, the headmistress's and head girl's speeches, as well as a speech from a special guest
Guest
Guest may refer to:* A person who is given hospitality* "The Guest", a short story by Albert Camus* The Guest , a 2002 album by Phantom Planet* USS Guest , a U.S...
, usually an inspirational or leading woman.
Gaudeamus
Gaudeamus is the school song, and is sung each year at founders' day, and accompanied by the orchestra. However, the school only sings three of the famous song's seven verses. Below are the lyrics as sung by the school:Gaudeamus igitur,
Juvenes dum sumus,
Gaudeamus igitur,
Juvenes dum sumus,
Post jucundum juventutem,
Post molestam senectutem,
Nos habebit humus,
Nos habebit humus.
Vivat academia,
Vivant professores,
Vivat academia,
Vivant professores,
Vivat membrum quodlibet,
Vivat membra quaelibet,
Semper sint in flore,
Semper sint in flore.
Vivant et republica,
et quae illam regit,
Vivant et republica,
et quae illam regit,
Vivat nostra civitas,
Maecenatum caritas,
Quae nos hic protegit,
Quae nos hic protegit.
Uniform
The uniform consists of a navy blue blazer and jumper both with the school crest, a navy blue pleated skirt, a blue and white striped shirt and navy blue tights or socks.Sixth Form pupils do not wear uniform, and follow a very casual dress code unlike most other girls schools, as suits are not at all compulsory.
Trips
The school offers pupils many exciting trips, which, in the school's opinion, widens their personal development, knowledge and understanding.Lower School trips
- Third formers all participate in a weekend away to Ghyll Head, an activities centre in the Lake DistrictLake DistrictThe Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
. - Third formers also go on many day trips, including the Welsh castles and Chester zoo.
- Lower Fourths are given the opportunity to go to France, to visit Disney Land and the AlpsThe AlpsThe Alps is a 2007 American documentary film about the climbing of the north face of the Eiger in the Bernese Alps by John Harlin III, son of John Harlin who died on the same ascent 40 years earlier...
. - Upper Fourths can also go to France, to Paris on an exchange.
- Upper Fourths are also given the opportunity to visit Germany in the summer holidays. They spend four days in the beautiful capital city of BerlinBerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, which was changed in the summer of 2009 from previous trips to the RhinelandRhinelandHistorically, the Rhinelands refers to a loosely-defined region embracing the land on either bank of the River Rhine in central Europe....
.
Upper School trips
The day trips undertaken by upper school girls are dependent on the subjects taken at GCSE and A-Level.Below are listed a selection of the incredible trips on offer:
- All upper school girls can go on the Easter trip, which varies yearly, and has previously visited fantastic cities, such as New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and Moscow. - All girls in the upper and lower fifth that study food nutrition or Spanish can take part in a trip to Spain.
- All girls studying GermanGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, are able to go on a German exchange, to a school in the South of Germany, - All girls studying FrenchFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, can go on a French exchange, to a school in the FlandersFlandersFlanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, - Girls studying GreekGreek languageGreek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
or LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, have the option to go on a classics trip, which visits famous ancient historical sites in Italy, - MUNers can participate in national conferences in CroydonCroydonCroydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, Bath and EtonEton, BerkshireEton is a town and civil parish in Berkshire, England, lying on the opposite bank of the River Thames to Windsor and connected to it by Windsor Bridge. The parish also includes the large village of Eton Wick, 2 miles west of the town, and has a population of 4,980. Eton was in Buckinghamshire until...
, - Geographers can go to the volcanic island of IcelandIcelandIceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, or SicilySicilySicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, - Girls in the Upper Fifth or Lower Sixth can go on a World Challenge expeditionExplorationExploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
- the 2009 expedition will be travelling to MongoliaMongoliaMongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, - Sixth formers can go on a trip to Africa, where they help in communityCommunityThe term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
activities, such as helping out at a school, - A-Level historians can go to Paris,
Junior School
- Transition - Year Three (aged 7–8)
- Form 1 - Year Four (aged 8–9)
- Lower II - Year Five (aged 9–10)
- Upper II - Year Six (aged 10–11)
Senior School
- Third Form - Year Seven (aged 11–12)
- Lower Forth - Year Eight (aged 12–13)
- Upper Fourth - Year Nine (aged 13–14)
- Lower Fifth - Year Ten (aged 14–15)
- Upper Fifth - Year Eleven (aged 15–16)
- Lower Sixth - Year Twelve (aged 16–17)
- Upper Sixth - Year Thirteen (aged 17–18)
In Senior School the years are split into three forms; W, X and Y. These letters were chosen as it was agreed that if A, B and C were used, pupils would feel like the class they were in was an indication of their intelligence. However, the school didn't want anybody to feel even worse because they were in class Z, at the very bottom, and so decided on the fourth to last, third to last, and second to last letters of the alphabet.
Present day
Withington Girls' School was founded in 1890 by a group of eminent Manchester families who wanted the same educational opportunities for their daughters as were already available for their sons. Founders' Day is celebrated in the autumn term when all members of the upper sixth receive a book to recognise their contribution while at the school. The aim of founder day is to commemorate the efforts of the school's founders - Charles Prestwich Scott, Louisa Lejeune, Mr Henry Simon and Mrs Simon and Miss Caroline Herford, after whom the houses are named.The school has approximately 550 girls in the senior school of which approximately 150 are in the 6th form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
. Pupils come from all over the Greater Manchester conurbation and Cheshire to attend the school.
The school enjoys close ties with the Manchester Grammar School
Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
and has collaborated with them many times in areas such as drama and music. It also enjoys a friendly rivalry with Manchester High School for Girls
Manchester High School for Girls
Manchester High School for Girls is an independent daytime school for girls and a member of the Girls School Association. It is situated in Fallowfield, Manchester, United Kingdom...
, and lesser so with Manchester Grammar School
Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
.
The school attempts to function in an atmosphere of respect for self and others and without the need for long lists of rules and regulations.
With fewer than 100 girls in the junior school and 540 in the senior, Withington provides a wide range of experience which goes well beyond the classroom, yet retains a friendly, responsive environment which encourages each girl to fulfil her whole potential. This stimulates a high standard of achievement, which is visible from Withington's high status in the League Tables.
The school benefits greatly from the cosmopolitan background which the city and University of Manchester have always provided.
The school suffered a serious arson attack in August 2003, but took this as an opportunity to build new science labs, and 2 years ago also built a new sixth form common room.
Houses
On joining the school, girls are assigned to one of the four houses: Herford after Caroline Herford (green), Lejeune after Louisa Lejeune (red), Scott after Charles Prestwich Scott (blue), or Simon after Henry & Emily Simon (yellow).Inter-house competitions
There are many inter-house competitions, including- house carols
- house plays
- house sport
- Easter term quiz
- inter-house dodgeball
- bi-annual summer music competition
- bi-annual English speaking competition
There is a fierce rivalry between houses, which greatly improves the standard of the above competitions.
Subjects on offer
The following subjects are available for all third form (first year/year seven) pupils:- EnglishEnglish studiesEnglish studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
and English LiteratureEnglish literatureEnglish literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J.... - Maths
- FrenchFrench languageFrench is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
- LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
- ChemistryChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
- BiologyBiologyBiology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
- PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
- Physical EducationPhysical educationPhysical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
- ICTInformation and communication technologiesInformation and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology , but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of...
- Food and Textiles Technology
- HistoryHistoryHistory is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
- GeographyGeographyGeography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
- DramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
- ArtArtArt is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
As the girls move up the school, other subjects are available, including:
- GermanGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
- SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
- GreekGreek languageGreek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
- PoliticsPoliticsPolitics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
(Sixth FormSixth formIn the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
only) - EconomicsEconomicsEconomics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
(Sixth form only) - General StudiesGeneral StudiesGeneral Studies may refer to:* Bachelor of General Studies, a degree offered in some Western Universities* A GCSE and A-level examination offered to 16-18 year olds in the United Kingdom and some other countries...
(Sixth Form only) - PsychologyPsychologyPsychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
(Sixth Form only)
Music
For all years, singing in a choirChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
is available, and for instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
players of any standard there is an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
(Middle School Orchestra for beginners and Senior Orchestra for those of Grade 5 or above).
There is also jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
band, wind band and the Thursday Singers.
There are many concerts throughout the school year, including the Christmas Concert, the Rotarians' Christmas party and the Summer Concert, as well as Founders Day, and many others.
All girls are given the offer to have instrument lessons inside school.
Sport
Withington has always encouraged its pupils to stay active.In the winter, girls have lessons in:
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Netball
- Badminton
- Trampolining
- Gymnastics
- Volleyball
- Football
In the summer, girls have lessons in:
- Tennis
- Athletics
- Rounders
- Swimming (third form only).
- Occasionally quick cricket
Withington houses many county and national players, and a trampolinist - Sasha Carter - who has represented her country at international trampolining competitions.
Drama
There is always a chance for girls to take to the stage and try their hand at acting.For girls in Third form to Upper Fourth the English department put on an annual play.
For girls in Lower Fifth, the drama department does "a play in a week", meaning a week of intense rehearsals, followed by two performances on the Saturday.
Last year Withington collaborated with MGS, to put on Singin' in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain
Singin' in the Rain is a 1952 American comedy musical film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, with Kelly also providing the choreography...
, which was incredibly successful.
There are also a handful of plays dotted around the academic year, available to different age groups.
All girls, of any age, can study drama. Recently, GCSE drama has become available for girls in Lower Fifth to Upper Fifth, and AS and A2 Level has been a long-running success. As part of the GCSE and A-Level specification requires, all students put on a play.
Miscellaneous
All girls from Lower Fifth upwards are given the option to take part in the Duke of EdinburghDuke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
award, and Withington has seen many girls go onto Gold level.
Withington also has a very successful Model United Nations
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
scheme, known as WiMUN - Withington MUN, and in 2008 and 2009 were the overall winners of MUNCH - Model United Nations at Cheadle Hulme - a massive achievement. They have also performed to an extremely high standard at other conferences, including Stockport Grammar School
Stockport Grammar School
Stockport Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in Stockport, England, founded in 1487 by the 1482 Lord Mayor of London Sir Edmund Shaa.The school motto is "Vincit qui patitur" – He who endures, conquers....
, Royal Russel School Internation Model United Nations, and Bath.
Sixth formers are also given the option to take part in the Young Enterprise scheme, under which they start a company, and attempt to make a profit through selling products. This has been very successful, with many companies winning prizes at both regional and national levels.
There are also many clubs which allow students to expand academically, such as
- Junior Science club
- Spanish club
- RoboticsRoboticsRobotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
club - ClassicsClassicsClassics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
club - Philosophy Club
- Mosaics club
- Modern languages society
- Pets club
- Cookery club
- Mathematics club
- Little WiMUN club, a form of Withington's MUN that prepares girls for MUN the next year.
Girls are also given the opportunity to participate in charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
societies, including St. Ann's Hospice Young Volunteer Scheme, and Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
.
The school day
At Withington the school day is divided into eight periods, each lasting thirty-five minutes. This is the same for each day, apart from the last day of each school term, where school breaks up at 2:00pm.The first lesson commences at 9:20, and the school day ends at 3:45.
Breaks
There are a total of three breaks during the school day.The first begins at 10.35, and lasts for approximately twenty minutes.
The next provides girls an opportunity to eat lunch, and participate in lunch-time activities, including robotics club and hockey club. It begins at 12.05, and ends at 13.10.
The third break only lasts five minutes - from 2.30 to 2.35.
Notable former pupils
- Sarah BurtonSarah BurtonSarah Burton is an English fashion designer, currently creative director of fashion brand Alexander McQueen. She designed Catherine Middleton's wedding dress for her wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in April 2011....
, current creative director of the Alexander McQueen brandAlexander McQueen (brand)Alexander McQueen is a luxury fashion house founded by designer Alexander McQueen . Its current creative director is Sarah Burton.-History:...
and designer of Catherine Middleton's dress for her wedding in 2011 - Judith ChalmersJudith ChalmersJudith Chalmers OBE is an English television presenter who is best known for presenting the travel programme Wish You Were Here...? in the 1970s and 1980s, where she often appeared in a bikini.-Early life and career:...
, English television presenter - Flic Everett, journalist
- Sarah FootSarah FootSarah Foot is a British early medieval historian and currently holds the Regius Chair of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Oxford....
, mediaeval historian - Jen HadfieldJen HadfieldJen Hadfield is an English poet and artist.She won the 2008 T.S. Eliot Prize for poetry for her second collection, Nigh-No-Place...
, poet (Winner of the T.S. Eliot Prize for poetry 2008) - C. A. LejeuneC. A. LejeuneCaroline Alice Lejeune was a British writer, best known as the film critic of The Observer from 1928 to 1960.-Family:...
, author - Christine Rice, opera singer
- Stephen WhittleStephen WhittleProfessor Stephen Whittle OBE, PhD is an active member of the United Kingdom TransActivist organisation Press for Change. Now , Whittle is Professor of Equalities Law in the School of Law at Manchester Metropolitan University....
Professor of Equalities Law, campaigner for transgender rights