With the new school year in full swing, we decided to sit down and get to know some of our local Head Teachers

We meet Sarah Haslam, Headmistress at Withington Girls' School

What is your school’s ethos?
Withington is a happy, harmonious, informal and purposeful school in which some of the best academic results in the country are achieved and there is a strong sense of empowering community. We value individuality, encourage our girls to think for themselves, to see learning as a lifelong journey and to understand the importance of tolerance and teamwork.

The principles of respect for self, respect for others and personal responsibility underpin our ethos.

When leaving your school where do your pupils progress to?
We work hard to support our pupils in achieving their aspirations, no matter what those goals and ambitions might be. Our Oxbridge successes are notable – 16 places in 2018 or 1-in-6 of our leavers– while the majority of our pupils go on to Russell Group universities - 70 per cent of our 2018 leavers.

Those who aspire to be accepted on more specialised course such as Art Foundation, Drama or Dance, or who wish to take up studies overseas, are also wholeheartedly encouraged and supported.

What sets you apart from other schools?
Embedded in Withington’s founding principles is the notion that the pleasure of learning is its own reward, so it is an important aspect of Withington’s ethos that there are no academic prizes or scholarships – a fascinating paradox in a school where pupils excel in so many areas.

In a modern context, we have found that removing these elements of academic competition and elitism produces an environment in which our pupils work more collaboratively and co-operatively to reach their own goals – and this is an approach endorsed by our girls who celebrate each other’s successes and have a strong sense of what they can achieve together. This ethos is consistently praised by our own students when, in post-GCSE and A-Level feedback, they quote time and again the highly supportive and collaborative environment they experience at Withington - not only from the teachers but from their own peer group too.

The exciting energy and sense of possibility within the school is palpable. We are outward-looking and celebrate diversity - because we offer bursary support to one in six pupils, are fortunate to be able to welcome bright girls from all cultures, faiths and backgrounds.

Pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular interests – but what all our girls have in common is a love of learning and intellectual curiosity. Our selection process aims to identify girls who will flourish in the Withington environment - and the wellbeing and the happiness of each girl throughout her journey with us is apriority.

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