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Manchester Grammar School

School rating 4 / 5 by

Old Hall Lane Manchester Lancashire M13 0XT United Kingdom
Day
4th to 12th
Gender
Boys only

Academic

Manchester Grammar School review by .

The academic excellence of the Manchester Grammar School is, I believe, due to the breadth of subjects taught. The dropping of subjects is delayed as late as possible, leading to a well rounded education, and allowing subjects to be taught for the understanding, rather than just to pass exams. The teachers themselves formed a well-balanced mix of young and old, male and female. For the lower sets in maths (the only subject at the school to be setted), there are teachers who excel at communicating the basics clearly and memorably. At the other end of the scale, are teachers so knowledgeable, that they can expand on topics for as long as you ask. The school has very high standards, and expects excellence in the core subjects such as maths, English, and the sciences, which are mandatory until after GCSE year. The three sciences (which are taught separately after year 9), are taught in large, well equipped laboratories every lesson, which allows the theory to be demonstrated easily. The range of subjects available for study is extremely broad. The facilities available for Art & Design are among the best in any school, with a well equipped pottery workshop, screen printing equipment, and a computer controlled Laser cutter, as well as fine art materials. The school also boast a newly refurbished theatre and many practice rooms for drama, and a highly practical electronics course. On the classics side, the school teaches a year of Latin and Classical Civilisations to all students before subject choices are made, introducing children to culture they may not otherwise have considered. The school is undergoing much change at the moment, but I am confident that it will live up to its reputation. The range of languages taught seems constantly to be expanding, and the school is now accepting children from younger ages than ever before. The most recent introduction was the optional uptake of the International Baccalaureate. This broad-based and challenging qualification aims to counter the perception that exams are getting easier. The school also enters students for iGCSE exams rather than GCSE in the sciences, to avoid the free marks from coursework diminishing the meaning of high grades. The class size starts at about 26 pupils per class in year 7, but gradually decreases as one moves up the school, and makes subject choices. By sixth form, the class sizes can be less than halved. A support system is available for those with special requirements to get the help they require, and students in wheelchairs are accommodated (although the arrangements are not ideal as yet). All in all, the academic performance of the school is what you would expect from such a selective institution.

College Counseling

The Manchester Grammar School sends around 30 students (from a year of ...

Sample insights on college counseling

  • They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
  • For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...

Admissions - Getting Accepted

MGS is a selective school, taking students based on academic ability alone. A bursary system....

Sample insights on admissions

  • For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
  • Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...

School Life

MGS has a strong pastoral system, particularly in the first year. Every form has a form tutor, who is the first port of call for academic or pastoral issues. The head of year is usually quite approachable for more serious issues, particularly in the higher years, and the college nurse(s) are always available for students to discuss and concerns they may be having in confidence. Special counsellors are employed to help those with special educational requirements. In first year, each form is also allocated a number of form prefects, who help the new students to settle in and get used....

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