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The Manchester Grammar School

A true adventure for ambitious boys with enquiring minds, established in 1515, known for academic excellence and well-rounded pupils.

Day fees
£18,666 – £19,809
Entry
School Exam + Group AssessmentSelective
Next deadline
Wed 18 Nov 202611+ registration closes
Updated 4 months ago
At a glance

Key facts

Head
Dr Martin Boulton
High Master, since 2013
Gender
Boys
Pupils
1,642
Location
Manchester
Suburban setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
7 to 18
School type
Mainstream
Founded
1515
Sixth form
420 pupils
Entry points
4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
ISI inspection
Inspected 2024
Nearest station
Chesham
Show 8 more factsShow fewer facts
School buses
Yes
Average class
17 pupils
School day
8.30am to 5pm
Saturday school
Yes
Wraparound care
Available
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
A-level A*–A
93%
2025
GCSE 9–7
78%
2025
Overview

About The Manchester Grammar School

Founded in 1515, The Manchester Grammar School has established a reputation as one of the top academic schools in the country. The school offers a culture of excellence with outstanding achievement in academics, sport, music, and drama. It produces well-rounded young men with a true sense of service to their communities. The school has over 200 full fee bursaries awarded every year and offers a wide range of trips and co-curricular activities.

Our take

Independent boys senior school in Manchester. Selective entry.

Best for
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
  • Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
  • Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
AI-generated guidance

Application timeline

  1. Feb24
    Offers
    Post-offer tours

Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, interview, acceptance deadline.

Open events

Sixth Form Evening6 weeks away
4.30pm
Sixth Form Open Evening
Open Morning6 weeks away
9.30am
Whole School Open Morning
Registration Close
Application deadline for guaranteed Year 7 assessment
Exam
Year 7 Entrance Examination Day
Offer Day
Publication of Year 7 Entrance Exam results
Offer Day
Post-offer tours
Tour
Year 7 Post-offer Tours
Deadline
Year 7 offer acceptance deadline

Private tours by arrangement with admissions.

Fees

£18,666 – £19,809per year · Day · 2026-27
Extras: registration, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music lessons, exam fees.
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Quick answers about The Manchester Grammar School

Answered only from The Manchester Grammar School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
100%
Recipients
194(2026)
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
1
Scholarships→Bursaries→

Distinctive features

★

Selective boys day school

★

Over 200 full fee bursaries annually

★

Wide range of academic subjects including classics and modern languages

★

Around 300 trips per year

★

Strong Oxbridge admissions (32 offers in 2025)

★

Extensive co-curricular activities

Activities & co-curricular

sport

AthleticsCricketFootballRugbySport activitiesSquashSwimmingTennisWater Polo

music

MusicMusic Ensembles and FestivalsMusic Festival

drama

Drama and TheatreDrama ProductionsDrama / Theatre

academic club

ChessDebatingF1 in SchoolsModern Foreign Languages ClubsScience activities

service

Buddy systemCombined Cadet Force (CCF)Community-action programmeDuke of EdinburghRole of Responsibility

other

Over 100 weekly clubsSports Camps and TreksTrips and Expeditions

Facilities

sports

Mike Atherton sports hallSports fields and pitchesSports Pavilion

arts

State-of-the-art theatre with dedicated technician

academic

Garner LibraryHibbitt Centre – Sixth Form Centre with study and recreational areas, teaching and office spaceJunior School LibraryNew Sixth Form Centre - The Hibbitt CentrePaton LibraryRefectory (part of Hibbitt Centre development)The Hibbitt Centre - Sixth Form Centre

wellbeing

Medical Centre

Latest exam results

Outcomes2025 GCSE
74.4
of A Levels were graded A*-A
93
A*-B
49.5
of grades were the highest grade 9
87.9
graded 9-7
93%
A-level A*–A
78%
GCSE 9–7

Data from 2025 results

Where leavers go

13%
to Oxbridge (2025)
2025202420232021
Cohort211———
Oxbridge27212523
US Ivy0000
Medicine———29
Top universities (2025)
University of OxfordUniversity of CambridgeUCLImperial College LondonUniversity of WarwickUniversity of BristolDurham University

Qualifications offered

GCSEA LevelPre-U

Notable alumni

Brian CoxBen KingsleyRobert BoltMichael Atherton
Recommended next step

Registration closes 18 Nov 2026 (11+)

Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.

Fit for your child

Is The Manchester Grammar School right for your child?

Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.

Check fit for my child

House system

BardsleyCokeDaltonDe La WarreHulmeMosleyStanleyVaughan

Wellbeing

Tutor system

Tutoring is central to pastoral care at MGS with small groups that ensure each boy is well known and supported. The school community fosters individual value, mental wellbeing, and leadership opportunities across all years including a house system in Junior School.

Inspection

ISI inspection, 23 Jan 2024

met
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2026/27

Autumn3 Sept 2026 → 17 Dec 2026Half-term 19 Oct 2026–30 Oct 2026
Spring4 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
Summer12 Apr 2027 → 1 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027

The Manchester Grammar School term dates and holidays →

Schools like The Manchester Grammar School

63%

Withington Girls' School

Manchester · All-through · Ages 7–18
£15,258 – £19,998
58%

Magdalen College School

Oxford · Senior · Ages 7–18
£28,995 – £30,108
58%

Guildford High School

Guildford · All-through · Ages 4–18
£16,692 – £26,769
56%

Oxford High School GDST

Oxford · All-through · Ages 4–18
£13,680 – £24,444
56%

Royal Grammar School Guildford

Guildford · All-through · Ages 3–18
£27,756 – £28,080
55%

Nottingham High School

Nottingham · All-through · Ages 3–18
£18,447 – £23,154

Questions parents ask

What kind of child is The Manchester Grammar School best for?+

The Manchester Grammar School suits: Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.

How much are the fees at The Manchester Grammar School?+

Day fees at The Manchester Grammar School are £6,603 a term in 2026-27 (£19,809 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.

When is the next open day at The Manchester Grammar School?+

The next visit at The Manchester Grammar School is on 12 November 2026. Booking is usually required.

How does admissions work?+

The Manchester Grammar School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.

Does The Manchester Grammar School support SEND?+

The Manchester Grammar School offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.

What ages does The Manchester Grammar School take?+

The Manchester Grammar School takes pupils from age 7 to 18.

Is The Manchester Grammar School a day or boarding school?+

The Manchester Grammar School is a day school.

Is The Manchester Grammar School co-educational or single-sex?+

The Manchester Grammar School is a boys' school.

Where is The Manchester Grammar School?+

The Manchester Grammar School is in Manchester, M13 0XT.

How do I contact admissions at The Manchester Grammar School?+

Contact The Manchester Grammar School by email at admissions@mgs.org or phone on 01612247201.

Updated 26 May 2026. Sources: school website, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, Sunday Times Parent Power and Wikipedia.

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