Old Girl turns 101!

Old Girl Kathleen Cotton recently celebrated her 101st birthday! Over the course of her long life, Kathleen has witnessed extraordinary change, including living through the Second World War.

Among her many memories, Kathleen fondly reflects on her school days at Fairfield High School for Girls. Her story is a beautiful reminder of our school’s remarkable heritage. Founded in 1796, Fairfield is one of the oldest all-girls schools in the country. For more than 200 years, it has stood as a place of opportunity, aspiration and empowerment for young women across Manchester and Tameside.

Kathleen speaks with pride and amusement about her time here, recalling passing ‘the 11 plus’ at just 10 years old and being known as a “brain box”. In today’s terms, she likely would have been one of our Head Girls!

She also fondly remembers being surrounded by many well-to-do families, unlike her own working-class background. Today, Fairfield High School for Girls continues to welcome students from all walks of life, providing equal opportunities for every young woman to thrive.

Her reflections show how the spirit of Fairfield has remained consistent across generations: academic excellence, ambition, supportive teachers and a community that lifts young women towards success.

Stories like Kathleen’s are at the heart of why we are so proud of Fairfield’s legacy. They highlight our long tradition of excellence and the strong academic outcomes and outstanding quality of education that continue to be recognised today.

You can read more about Kathleen’s inspiring story here:

https://tinyurl.com/Fairfield-realstories-kathleen