Story
Manchester High bursaries are one of the secret ingredients to the success of our school.
The aspirational atmosphere at MHSG relies on a continued investment in talented girls from across the region. Bursaries, provided on academic merit and a means-tested basis, play a central role in making Manchester High the vibrant place it is today.
"Being surrounded by incredibly talented girls on a daily basis, inspired me to give my all to everything I do." - Noor Al-Saffar, Medical Student, MHSG Bursary Recipient, Class of 2020.
The positive impact of a bursary ripples throughout the whole school, driving academic achievement and ensuring our community remains socially and culturally inclusive. Our school thrives on this diversity. Yet today, we are missing out on many talented individuals joining our community.
Currently, we can only take on 5% of the bursary applications we receive.
In 1874, the first academic school for girls in the North of England was formed, giving some of the region’s brightest minds the chance for a better future.
150 years on, Manchester High has a proud legacy of alumnae who have gone on to change society for the better.
Founded by the people of Manchester – men and women who were leading figures in the academic, cultural and business life of the city – at a time when many regarded the education of girls as unnecessary or undesirable.
Yet our founders knew that society as a whole would be better for this investment.
"Our founders were pioneering, forward thinking, and revolutionary in wanting a school that would provide for girls the education which had been given to boys in the area." - Mrs Helen F Jeys, Head Mistress.
Our founders’ aims were to ‘impart to the girls the very best education which can be given, and to fit them for any future which may be before them.’
This remains our guiding spirit today.
Manchester High School for Girls began to introduce bursaries less than twenty years after we were founded, and today, when the education of many of the most disadvantaged children is suffering, we are proud that so many of our parents and supporters still believe in giving our region’s brightest girls a better opportunity, regardless of their financial circumstances.
"Investing in a bursary is investing in future leaders. It’s transformative." - Mrs Helen F Jeys, Head Mistress.
Until 1997, many girls whose families were not in a position to pay fees, were eligible to receive government help, either through a Direct Grant, or through the Assisted Places Scheme.
Yet, since then, the role of protecting bursary places has fallen on the School, and the level of support we are currently able to provide has inevitably dropped from the era of assisted places.
We have only been able to fund 5% of applications for funding from Year Seven over the last three years.
Only around 9% of our Senior school student population have been in receipt of means-tested bursaries during the same period. Our talented bursary students come from a wide range of backgrounds – areas of deprivation across the north west, from conflict zones around the world and from single-parent and multi-generational families.
All they need is a chance. By backing the bursary fund, you’ll provide it.
Can you help us invest in the social diversity of our school community?
We believe that all of Manchester’s bright girls deserve this opportunity, regardless of their circumstances.
"One of my motivations to work hard is that one day I want to be able to give back, and support future girls in the way that someone once supported me." - Lucie Hinton, Head of Aviation Business Development, Manchester Airports Group, MHSG Bursary Recipient, Class of 2010.
We know our bursaries really make a difference to those who need them most, but we need to do more, with your help.
"We feel passionately about our vision of being needs blind. We would love to offer more girls the opportunity to come to Manchester High, who are bright enough, but who don’t have the financial means to do so." - Mrs Helen F Jeys, Head Mistress.
Every penny raised by our wonderful teaching staff (Kathryn Large, Paul McDaid, Gayle Ripper & Diana Bruce) in their completion of the Manchester 10k, will go straight to the MHSG Bursary Fund to change lives in the future.
Thank you!
