Education News

Withington Girls’ School has been named Independent Secondary School of the Year in the North West in the prestigious Sunday Times schools guide, Parent Power.

It is the fourth consecutive year Withington has been recognised as the top inde pendent school in the North West in The Sunday Times’ annual combined A-level and GCSE rankings as well as hav ing been previously named North West Independent Secondary School of the Decade (2021) and Independent Secondary School of the Year (2009).

Paying tribute to the school community, Withington Headmistress, Mrs Sarah

Haslam, said: “This award is a credit to our pupils, who embrace their love of learning without barriers in the supportive, empowering atmosphere here, supported by our wonderful, dedicated staff. It’s about sparking interest and curiosity, enabling our young people to build confidence and find their passions. This is evident in all areas of school life – our pupils care deeply about their world and want to make their own positive con tribution to it.”

Year 5 pupils from The Manchester Grammar School performed Oliver Jr!

This is the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart's classic musical based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. For many pupils, this was the first opportunity to perform in front of a live audience of par ents, members of staff and fellow pupils due to the widespread effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The story is set in Victorian England and the streets are brought to life as Oliver, an orphan in a workhouse, becomes the ap prentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance and friendship amongst a gang of pickpockets led by Fagin. Oliver is then captured for a theft that he did not commit and the kind Mr Brownlow takes him in. Following this,

Fagin fears for the safety of his hideout and gang and so he tasks the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, therefore threatening Oliver’s chances of finally discovering what true family life is like. The production was jam-packed full of cheerful and joyous songs, including

Con sider Yourself, Food, Glorious Food, and Oom-Pah-Pah, and showcased the wonderful talents of a large ensemble cast.

Well done to everyone who was involved in these performances and who brought the entire story to life so vivaciously!