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Are you considering a private school in Greater Manchester for your child?
Find out everything you need to know about private schools in Manchester, including fees, exam results, and how to apply for a place.
What are the best private schools in Manchester?
Greater Manchester is home to some of the best private schools in the northwest – and in the UK. The following 5 senior schools were ranked the best in the area for 2024 based on recent exam results.
Withington Girls' School
Manchester High School for Girls
Cheadle Hulme School
Bolton School Boys' Division
Bolton School Girls' Division
Find out more about the top private schools in the UK.
How much do private schools cost in Manchester?
The fees for private schools in Manchester vary from school to school, but are generally less than most independent school fees in the country. The average cost of day fees in Greater Manchester is £4,500 per term. The only boarding school in the area is Cheltham's School of Music, but the boarding fees are charged on a sliding scale according to the family's finances.
The cheapest private school in Greater Manchester is Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls. The most expensive day school is Withington Girls' School.
What's included in the school fees?
Independent school fees always include the cost of teaching. Some of the fees which might be charged separately include school lunch and exams (e.g. GCSEs, A levels and the IB Diploma). If your child goes to a boarding school, the fees usually include the full cost of boarding (lodging, meals etc.).
Before you register your child for a school, it's best to check exactly what's included in the fees. You will usually need to pay a non-refundable registration fee on application (often £100–£300) and a deposit when you accept an offer.
Help with school fees in Manchester
Most private schools in Manchester offer financial assistance to children who meet certain criteria. The most common type of assistance is a bursary, which is means-tested. Lots of schools also offer scholarships, but these are based on talent and are not means-tested.
Bursaries are a type of means-tested financial assistance. They're normally offered on a sliding scale, so children from lower-income families receive more support. Eligible children still need to meet the school's entrance criteria.
Most private schools in Manchester offer bursaries, with some covering up to 100% of school fees. Some also help with the other costs of private education, such as school uniforms, lunch, transport, and extracurricular activities.
If you think your child might be eligible for a bursary, you'll need to complete a bursary application form for your target school. This will involve supplying detailed financial evidence. You might also have a home visit from a member of the school's bursary team or an independent advisor.
Prepare for Manchester entrance exams
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Private girls' schools in Manchester
Day school in Bolton for girls aged 11–18.
Address: Bolton School Girls' Division, Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4PA
Number of students: 1,000+
Fees per term: £4,544
Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
11+ scholarships: academic
A level results (2023): 70.6% A*–B
GCSE results (2023): 58.1% A*/A/9/8/7
National rank: 196
11+ exam: GL Assessment English, maths and non-verbal reasoning
Private boys' schools in Manchester
Day school in Bolton for boys aged 11–18.
Address: Bolton School Boys' Division, Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4PA
Number of students: 1,150+
Fees per term: £4,544
Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
11+ scholarships: academic
A level results (2023): 74.5% A*–B
GCSE results (2023): 52.8% A*/A/9/8/7
National rank: 185
11+ exam: GL Assessment English, maths and non-verbal reasoning
Private co-educational schools in Manchester
Day school in Worsley for boys and girls aged 3–18.
Address: Bridgewater School, Drywood Hall, Worsley Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2WQ
Number of students: 450+
Fees per term: £4,542
Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and sibling discount
11+ scholarships: academic, performing arts and sports
A level results (2023): 34% A*–B
GCSE results (2023): 29% A*/A/9/8/7
11+ exam: online English and maths, and creative writing
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