Situated in Fallowfield, Manchester, the Manchester High School for Girls is an English private day school for girls. The School was established in 1874 to educate girls and prepare them for the future they chose to pursue.
The School was initially established in Chorlton-on-Medlock before moving to new premises on Dover Street in 1881. That building still remains a part of Manchester’s academic landscape and is now occupied by the University of Manchester’s School of Chemistry.
From its earliest days, MHSG has been guided by a clear founding principle: “To impart to the scholars the very best education which can be given and to fit them for any future which may be before them.” Today, after more than 150 years, that principle remains central to the School’s educational philosophy.
Over the years, this philosophy has produced an extraordinary legacy of women who have challenged rigid societal norms and opened doors for the next generation. From the Pankhurst sisters to the first female combat helicopter pilot in the British Army, MHSG’s alumnae have repeatedly demonstrated what becomes possible when girls are given the confidence and opportunity to lead.
MHSG’s alumnae have claimed many ‘firsts’, including Carrie Morrison (the first female solicitor in England), Edith Hesling (the first woman to be called to the bar at Gray’s Inn), Merlyn Lowther (the first female Chief Cashier of the Bank of England), Clara Freeman (the first woman to be appointed to the Board of Marks and Spencer), Libby Lane (the Church of England’s first female bishop) and Jasmin Paris (the first woman to complete the gruelling Barkley Marathons).
“We prepare our pupils for the world as it is – and as it could be. Whether they are exploring new ideas, tackling problems creatively or challenging assumptions, we give girls the confidence to take risks, think independently, and lead with purpose,”- says MHSG’s Headmistress Mrs. Helen F Jeys.
Empowering Girls
MHSG has been empowering girls since 1874 as one of the first girls’ schools in the UK and the first academic girls’ school in the North of England. The school is proud of its reputation for academic excellence, and recognises that its extra-curricular opportunities, caring ethos and focus on individual wellbeing, character development and flourishing are equally important in supporting its pupils as they become outward-looking, resilient and forward-thinking young women, forging pioneering lives and careers.
“We encourage our girls to aim high and be ‘risk-takers’, embracing the importance of resilience and viewing challenges as stepping-stones to future progress. We believe these qualities are fundamental for happiness and success both at school and in the world beyond Manchester High,”- says Mrs. Jeys.
Encouraging Independent Thinking and Lifelong Love for Learning
At Manchester High School for Girls, Learning, Innovation, Compassion, Individuality, and Wellbeing are more than guiding principles. They are embedded in the everyday experience of every pupil and shape how the School approaches education, relationships, personal development, and life beyond the classroom.
“We foster a deep love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Our pupils are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and aim high – supported by expert staff who challenge and champion them every step of the way,”- states Mrs. Jeys. “We prepare our pupils for the world as it is – and as it could be. Whether they are exploring new ideas, tackling problems creatively or challenging assumptions, we give girls the confidence to take risks, think independently, and lead with purpose.”
Kindness lies at the heart of the School’s community. It nurtures a culture of respect, honesty and care, and MHSG’s pupils are encouraged to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Additionally, every pupil at MHSG is recognised and celebrated for who they are. The school supports their passions, ambitions and wellbeing, helping them to build resilience, confidence and a strong sense of self.
The School also recognises the fact that happiness and success go hand in hand. Through a wide range of extracurricular opportunities and balance, MHSG supports each girl’s personal development alongside their academic journey, so they can thrive in all areas of life.
Advantage of a Girls-Only Environment During the Formative Years
Mrs. Jeys firmly believes that families considering the right educational environment for their daughters should know that girls’ schools offer distinctive advantages that extend beyond academic achievement.
“Parents seeking the best educational environment for their daughters, and one which will enable them to flourish, should consider the compelling benefits of girls’ schools. Girls’ schools provide an environment tailored to female academic and personal development, which can lead to better outcomes not only academically but also in terms of confidence, leadership and skill development,” she says.
Beyond general academic achievement, girls in all girls’ schools excel in traditionally male-dominated subjects. Data from WISE Campaign’s analysis of 2024 A-level results shows that girls in all girls’ schools are more likely to engage with STEM subjects, encouraged by an environment free of gender stereotypes.
Additionally, girls’ schools foster leadership skills and confidence. Without the social dynamics of a mixed school setting, girls are more likely to participate actively and take on a wide range of leadership roles. Studies show that boys tend to dominate classroom discussions in mixed schools, unintentionally sidelining girls’ voices. Removing these dynamics gives girls the space to thrive academically and socially, preparing them for competitive career paths.
Ultimately, girls’ schools offer a focused, empowering environment where girls are not only more likely to succeed academically, but also develop the confidence and skills needed for future success. Happy and motivated girls who attend girls’ schools are more confident and generally possess higher mental toughness than those in other schools.
A Close-Knit Community
Manchester High School for Girls is built around a compassionate and close-knit community where every pupil is known and valued as an individual. Each pupil has a Form Tutor, or a class teacher in the Preparatory School, who provides a consistent point of support throughout her school journey. These teachers work closely with the Pastoral Deputy, Section Heads, and Heads of Year to ensure that every pupil is supported to reach her potential while enjoying a positive and fulfilling experience at MHSG. Where additional pastoral or wellbeing support is needed, pupils can also access the School Nurse and School Counsellor.
“We recognise the importance of making friends, and our primary focus, when pupils begin their Manchester High journey, is to help girls find their feet as quickly as possible. Our active and connected alumnae community is proof that the friendships formed at Manchester High last a lifetime,”- states Mrs. Jeys. “The House System is very important to the sense of community that exists at Manchester High. Pupils are allocated a House on arrival, and quickly bond with their House peers from across the different year groups.”
Every year pupils find that their transition to Manchester High is eased by the school’s comprehensive induction programme, including a residential trip to the Lake District, as well as a ‘Big Sister’ scheme, led by the Head Girl Team. For students joining in the Sixth Form, the school’s Junior Sixth Induction Programme helps them develop the bonds of friendship, not just for support during the crucial A-level years, but into and throughout adulthood.
Wellbeing is a priority at MHSG, and the school’s weekly lessons cover broad topics on physical and mental health, self-esteem and good citizenship. MHSG also has ‘theme weeks’ across the School that focus on work-life balance, celebrating success and developing the resilience needed to cope with setbacks.
Award-Winning Inclusion Practices
In the latest Independent Schools Inspection, inspectors identified a ‘Significant Strength’ of MHSG: “Leaders have high aspirations and have firmly established core values that underpin the school. This results in a caring, inclusive and diverse community. Staff are ambitious for the pupils and thread the values of learning, innovation, compassion, wellbeing and individuality through every aspect of school life. This results in empowered and dynamic pupils who flourish.”
MHSG’s inclusion practices are award-winning. The school was named the senior winner of the 2026 Education Choices Award in the Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging category, and it has reached the national finals out of hundreds of schools in the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards in the same category.
“Fundamentally, all of our girls talk about ‘belonging’ and about being a member of a ‘sisterhood’ where girls support each other and advocate for themselves and for each other. Therefore, even though we have initiatives to support inclusion, we are fundamentally a community where everyone belongs and, most importantly, pupils feel that they belong. Their individuality is nurtured, their talents known and their successes celebrated,”- explains Mrs. Jeys.
Holistic Education is Key
Manchester High School for Girls’ commitment to holistic education is reflected not only in its own philosophy but also in the experiences of its community. As the Good Schools Guide observes, “Manchester High is undoubtedly an academic school for girls with ability and a can-do attitude, but it’s so much more than that. This is an inclusive, unpretentious (despite its illustrious alumnae), warm and generous spirited school where girls are encouraged to be themselves, are listened to and obviously love the great education they receive.”
When asked why they had chosen MHSG for their daughter, one parent explained that it was “the spirit of the place” and “the emphasis on the all-rounded person” that inspired them.
This philosophy is echoed in one of the quotations displayed on the School’s walls, attributed to Aristotle: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Through this holistic approach, the School seeks to develop young women who are confident and self-assured, who understand the importance of giving back to their communities and being real agents of change.
