The Manchester Grammar School

What The Manchester Grammar School does

The Manchester Grammar School (MGS) is an independent day school for boys, founded in 1515 by Hugh Oldham, Bishop of Exeter, and based on a single campus in Manchester, United Kingdom. It operates continuously across Junior School (Years 3-6, ages 7-10), Senior School (Years 7-11), and Sixth Form (Years 12-13), with the Year 7 entry point as the primary intake and approximately 1,500-1,800 pupils served. The school is a registered charity (MGS Trust, Charity No. 526564) and is governed by a Governing Body chaired by Clare Bolton, with Dr Martin Boulton serving as High Master.

MGS delivers a traditional academic curriculum culminating in GCSEs and A-Levels, supported by an extensive co-curricular programme of sport, music, drama, adventure, and service activities (over 300 trips per year, 100+ clubs). Technology underpins but does not define the offering: every pupil receives a Microsoft Surface device, the Accessit library catalogue provides online resources, and Unifrog and MGS Global Connect (an in-house alumni platform) support careers and university guidance. Academic outcomes are a core selling point — 74.4% A*-A at A-Level and 87.9% 9-7 at GCSE in 2025, with 32 Oxbridge offers.

The revenue model is tuition-driven: annual fees of £19,809 (2026/27, inclusive of VAT) cover Microsoft Surface, books, equipment, stationery, and public exam fees. A separate donations stream through the MGS Trust funds an extensive bursary programme — currently over £27m in endowment, distributing £3m+ annually to support 194 bursary recipients, with a Bursary Now Appeal targeting £4m for both bursaries and the new Hibbitt Sixth Form Centre. Go-to-market is direct-to-family via the admissions team, structured Assessment Days and Entrance Examinations, and a regional bus network covering the North West of England. The school also operates community-outreach and international partnerships with the Hallé, RNCM, Montreux Jazz Festival, and schools in Africa, Europe, China, and India.

Name

The Manchester Grammar School

Legal name

The Manchester Grammar School

Website

https://mgs.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Manchester Grammar School is an independent boys' day school founded in 1515 in Manchester, serving roughly 1,500-1,800 pupils from Junior School through Sixth Form via tuition fees (£19,809/year) and a substantial bursary endowment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Single-Sex (Boys/Girls) Private Schools (EDAJABAK)

Keywords

• Independent day school
• Boys' secondary school
• Grammar school education
• Sixth form provision
• Junior school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees. Academic year 2026/27 fees are £19,809 per year (£6,603 per term). Fees include Microsoft Surface computer, school books, equipment, stationery, and public examination fees for Year 11 and Year 13 pupils.
2. Bursary Fund Donations: The MGS Trust (Charity No. 526564) manages bursary funds. Each year provides over £3.0m to support bursary programme. Currently has built bursary funds of more than £27 million. Fundraising campaign 'Bursary Now Appeal' with £4 million target.
3. Legacy Gifts and Bequests: Legacy gifts through the Langworthy Society for members who have committed to leaving bequests. Corporate gifts and share donations also accepted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Manchester Grammar School is an independent day school providing academic education for boys aged 7-18 across Junior School (Years 3-6), Senior School (Years 7-11), and Sixth Form (Years 12-13). The school delivers a traditional academic curriculum leading to GCSE and A-Level qualifications, supported by an extensive co-curricular programme of sport, music, drama, adventure, service activities, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Operations are anchored by the Old Hall Lane campus in Manchester and supported by the MGS Trust (Charity No. 526564), which funds a substantial bursary programme for academically gifted pupils regardless of financial background.

Product overview

The Manchester Grammar School is an independent day school founded in 1515, offering education from Junior School (Years 3-6) through to Sixth Form. The school provides a traditional academic curriculum complemented by extensive co-curricular programs. Its product portfolio consists primarily of educational publications (MGS Life, Ulula, The Old Mancunian, Annual Report), digital platforms (MGS Sport Online, MGS Global Connect, Accessit Library Catalogue), and facilities (The Hibbitt Centre for Sixth Form). The school integrates with third-party educational technology platforms including Unifrog for careers guidance and ParentPay for fee management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior School Education Junior School education for boys aged 7-10 (Years 3-6), with observation-based assessment days for entry. Includes wrap-around care from 8:00 to 18:00 and free school meals for Years 3 and 4.
• Senior School Education Senior School education for boys aged 11-16 (Years 7-11), covering Lower School (Years 7-9) and Middle School (Years 10-11) leading to GCSE qualifications. Main entry point is Year 7 at age 11, with the majority of bursary funding allocated here. Annual fees include a Microsoft Surface device, books, equipment, stationery, and public examination fees.
• Sixth Form Education Sixth Form education for students aged 16-18 (Years 12-13) studying A-Level and International A-Level qualifications. Open to external applicants through Sixth Form Experience Day and Assessment Afternoon. Delivered in the new Hibbitt Centre. Includes access to MGS Global Connect for alumni careers guidance and work experience placements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 74.4% A*-A grades at A-Level (2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• New Islington Free SchoolminorOthersCommunity link partnership where MGS supports this Manchester-based free school through outreach and Community Action programmes.
• International Partner SchoolsminorOthersSchools in Africa, Europe, China, and India supported through MGS outreach and community programmes, enabling cultural exchange and educational support.
• Manchester Schools PartnershipminorOthersPartnership with other Manchester region schools supported through outreach and Community Action programmes.
• Montreux Jazz FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMGS music ensembles perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival, providing students with international performance opportunities.
• Hallé OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMGS ensembles perform with the Hallé at the Bridgewater Hall, providing collaborative musical experiences for students.
• RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMGS ensembles perform regularly at RNCM facilities, providing performance opportunities and musical collaboration.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eton College: UK's most prestigious independent school and a direct competitor for academically able families seeking single-sex education. Comparable on academic outcomes, heritage brand, and Oxbridge throughput, though Eton operates as a boarding school versus MGS's day model.
• Oundle School: Large independent co-educational boarding/day school with strong STEM and academic profile. Comparable on academic outcomes, bursary provision, and selective admissions process.
• Harrow School: Historic boys-only independent school with similar heritage (founded 1572) and academic positioning. Competes for the same selective cohort of UK families prioritizing Oxbridge outcomes and traditional single-sex education.
• Dulwich College: Independent day school for boys in South London with similar academic standing and traditional educational ethos. Directly comparable on day-school model, boys-only admission, and Oxbridge preparation.
• Tonbridge School: Kent-based independent boys' school with strong academic outcomes and selective admissions. Comparable on academic positioning and Oxbridge throughput, with a traditional pastoral model similar to MGS.
• Shrewsbury School: Historic independent co-educational boarding school with similar academic profile and bursary programme. Comparable on academic outcomes, heritage (founded 1552), and means-tested bursary provision.
• Winchester College: One of England's oldest independent schools (founded 1382) with comparable academic excellence and boys-only boarding tradition. Directly comparable on heritage, selectivity, and Oxbridge preparation.
• King Edward's School Birmingham: Independent day school for boys in Birmingham with similar selective academic model, bursary endowment, and Oxbridge throughput. Most direct UK day-school comparator outside the Southeast.
• St Paul's School London: Elite London-based independent day school with similar academic profile and selective admissions. Competes for academically able boys at the top end of the UK independent school market.
• Westminster School: Central London independent day school competing for top-performing pupils nationally. Comparable on academic results, selectivity, and historic heritage, though Westminster serves London catchment rather than North West England.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mgs_1515
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/the-manchester-grammar-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/mgs_1515

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Manchester Grammar School