Support Us
Header Image 1

Fees and Assistance

Fees for the year 2024/25 are £15,930 per year, or £5,310 per term.

From January 2025 the Government are levying 20% VAT on independent school fees. Rather than pass on the full amount the School will initially cut the basic fee so that the total increase parents pay will be 9% meaning the termly fee will rise to £5,788 per term inclusive of VAT.

From September 2025 the School will add a further amount of 5% to cover some of the VAT cost but will limit the inflationary rise to 2.5%. Our aim is to give as much notice to parents so that they can plan for these changes. This will mean that in September 2025 the fee will be £6,222 per term inclusive of VAT. This is an annual fee of £18,666 inclusive of VAT. This in itself is a cut in our underlying fee to try as far as we can to shield parents from some of the Government’s VAT increase.

This fee includes the provision of a Microsoft Surface computer, school books and equipment, stationery and other materials (excluding a small number of items detailed on the equipment list). Also included are public examination fees for Year 11 and Year 13 pupils. A small number of optional extras are charged for e.g. private music lessons. Other expenses are normally restricted to uniform, some trips during the School’s activities week in the summer term and other voluntary school trips.

School meals are optional for all year groups except for Years 3 and 4, where the cost is included in the fee.

In the Junior School this fee includes free wrap-around care from 8:00 till 18:00.

We are delighted to hear from former MGS pupils who have benefited from a bursary at our school. In their own words, they describe how much a bursary place has meant to both themselves, and their families.

It is truly humbling to hear how an MGS bursary place has transformed the lives of the recipient and their families. It is absolutely true that every donation made to our Bursary Fund will make a real difference to a young person’s life and enhance the education of all pupils.

That is why we are asking our supporters to consider a charitable donation to the ‘Bursary Now Appeal’. Your contribution will make such a big difference to the life of a bright, gifted young man who might otherwise miss out on an MGS education because of his financial circumstances.

Read what previous bursary recipients had to say about their experiences at MGS:

“The bursary scheme at MGS has been amazing - it’s transformed our family and it means the world to us. If you work hard enough, and you strive for something, you can do it.

That is what MGS has instilled in both myself and my brother. The School has nurtured us and helped us and constantly taught us to strive to do better. The bursary schemes means a lot to myself and my brother. When I started at MGS, I always wanted to give something back to the School in return for what they’ve given me, so when I became School vice-captain I felt I could really help others and give back to other pupils who may be in similar circumstances. I’ve spoken to lots of younger pupils at primary schools while I’ve been at MGS and encouraged them to work hard and apply to a place like MGS because it can transform your life.”

“Attending The Manchester Grammar School for Sixth Form was by far one of the best things to ever happen to me. I still consider my two years at MGS as being the best of my entire life.

Never before did I experience such a strong culture among students to academically excel, or such incredible teachers, and I do not think it would have been possible to achieve my grades of 3 A*'s and 1 A at A-level without both of their ameliorating effects.

Furthermore, the School provided me with countless friendships (with students and teachers alike) that have enriched my existence beyond description.

“In truth, I question whether one could monetarily measure how much The Manchester Grammar School has enhanced my life - it certainly far exceeds the generous amount granted by the school's immensely gracious benefactors, to whom my parents and I are eternally grateful. Without a bursary, my family would have been unable to afford letting me follow one of my childhood dreams of studying at MGS. Truly, the kindness of donors is inspirational, and I hope to one day follow their example so that other talented children from low-income households can have the privilege of attending what I will forever describe as 'The Best School in the Country’.”

“To be honest, the MGS bursary fund changed my life. It took me to places that, sadly, so many deserving kids miss out on, through no fault of their own. I feel so honoured, and so lucky, that people believed in me. Their generosity gave me the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Fees and assistanceAround 200 pupils currently receive full or partial bursaries, with the vast majority being full. Bursary places are available for boys joining Year 7 and the Sixth Form, with the majority of funding being offered for entry in Year 7, and are only offered to families who are permanently resident in the UK, and living the North West of England, at the point of application. The School's ability to offer bursaries depends upon the level of funding available.

Fee assistance is based on the total gross income of the household in which the pupil lives and will be on a sliding scale such that parents in receipt of assessable income in excess of £58,000 will receive no assistance for the 2024/25 academic year, whilst those with income of £32,000 or below will receive full remission of fees.

Family incomes are reviewed annually and the value of the bursary is adjusted accordingly.

If you wish to apply for financial assistance, you must do so when making an Application for Entry. We do not offer academic scholarships.

For more information, please contact our Admissions Manager Kath Heathcote:

0161 224 7201 ext. 234