73% of A-Level grades were A* or A in 2025, with 32 Oxbridge offers that year.
HMC boys' day school in Manchester, founded 1515
Why this school
73% of A-Level grades were A* or A in 2025, with 32 Oxbridge offers that year.
Each year it funds over 200 means-tested places, one of the largest bursary programmes among UK independent schools.
In 2025, 41 boys earned offers to study Medicine or Dentistry.
The Manchester Grammar School traces its foundation to 1515, making it one of the oldest independent day schools in the country. Situated in Rusholme, Manchester, it educates boys from age 7 to 18 on a single urban campus. With 1,659 pupils, it sits at the upper end of scale for independent day schools in the UK. Membership of HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) places it among the most academically selective boys’ schools in England. Annual senior school fees are £19,809 (2026/27, inclusive of VAT), covering tuition, a Microsoft Surface device, all textbooks, and exam fees — a notably comprehensive package by independent school standards.
The curriculum follows GCSE and A-Level pathways, with the International A-Level available for pupils who require that qualification route. Teaching is pitched at boys with genuine intellectual curiosity; class discussion and independent research feature prominently over rote preparation. At A-Level in 2025, 73% of grades were A* or A, placing the school among the strongest performers in the north of England. The school recorded 32 Oxbridge offers in 2025 and was named Independent Secondary School of the Year for the North West in the Schools Guide 2026.
The sixth form covers Years 12 and 13, offering A-Level and International A-Level programmes. Termly fees are £6,603 per term (£19,809 per year, 2026/27, inclusive of VAT), consistent with the senior school rate and inclusive of the same device, textbook, and exam-fee package. University destinations include Oxford and Cambridge, with 32 offers recorded in 2025 alone, alongside the full range of Russell Group institutions. For pupils targeting competitive courses in medicine, law, or the sciences, the school’s track record at this level is a central part of its appeal.
A-Level results
73% A*-A (2025)
The week is structured around a full school day on the Rusholme campus. Pastoral care runs through a house and form system, with consistent tutor oversight as pupils move through year groups. The school awards over 200 full-fee bursaries annually, drawing the pupil body from a wide range of backgrounds. That commitment to access has been part of the school’s character since 1515. It sits alongside a selective admissions process and a high academic floor.
The Manchester Grammar School supports a broad range of co-curricular activity across sport, music, drama, and societies. At nearly 1,660 pupils, the breadth of clubs and teams is considerable. Competitive sport, ensemble music, and debating all operate at a serious level. The school’s urban location means cultural and civic engagement beyond the campus is practical: galleries, theatres, and university libraries are accessible by public transport across the city.
The Rusholme campus houses specialist science laboratories, dedicated arts and music spaces, and sports facilities appropriate to a large urban independent school. A Microsoft Surface device and all textbooks are included within the annual fee. The school’s position within Manchester means pupils also draw on city-wide resources (concert halls, museums, and university collections) that extend what the campus itself can offer.
Annual tuition
£19,809 per year · day · Senior School (Day) · Years 7-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior School (Day) | Years 7-13 | Day | — | £19,809 |
Manchester city centre (Rusholme); Manchester Airport ~7 miles
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Senior school fees for 2026/27 are £19,809 per year (£6,603 per term), inclusive of VAT. This is a day school. Fees cover tuition, a Microsoft Surface device, all textbooks, and exam fees, with no additional charge for these items.
The Manchester Grammar School admits boys from age 7 through to 18, covering junior through to sixth form on a single campus in Rusholme, Manchester.
The school offers GCSE and A-Level programmes, as well as the International A-Level for pupils who require that qualification pathway. The sixth form covers Years 12 and 13.
In 2025, 73% of A-Level grades were A* or A. The school also recorded 32 Oxbridge offers that year.
Yes. The school awards over 200 full-fee bursaries each year, making means-tested financial support a substantial part of its admissions offer. This has been central to the school’s ethos since its foundation in 1515.
No. The school operates as a day school from its campus in Rusholme, Manchester. There are no boarding facilities.
The Manchester Grammar School is a member of HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) and is inspected by ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate), the two principal markers of quality and governance for UK independent schools.
The school’s Rusholme campus is in Manchester, approximately 7 miles from Manchester Airport. It is accessible by road or public transport, which is straightforward for international families travelling to visit or enrol.
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