The School has hosted a Christmas concert and tea party for local elderly people for many years. Pupils at the school are actively involved in the organisation of the transport, the provision of the food and the entertainment.  One of the highlights of the festive season, more than 200 Senior Citizens from the local community are collected and brought to School for a tea party tea followed by a Carol Concert with performances by the Senior Choir and Orchestra. In 2020 and 2021 it was not possible to invite people into school, but that did not draw a halt to our commitment to ensure that our elderly friends were able to join in our Christmas celebrations. The show must go on! The School’s pupils and staff vowed that, if our elderly neighbours couldn’t come into Withington, then we would take Withington to them; the concert would be brought into their homes digitally, and presents, party food and beverages would also be delivered. Read more about it here!

In 2019, we had a record number of guests and they enjoyed Christmas classics by Senior musicians and choristers, a repeat of Mr McKenna’s winning Teachers Got Talent performance of Robbie Williams’ Angels, and Golden Oldies led by the Staff Choir. Held in the Dining Room, a fantastic spread was laid on for our guests to enjoy, all prepared by WGS pupils and staff. Director of Music, Mrs Sargent paid tribute to the House Committees for organising the event and also a preceding House Competition festive ‘Bake Off’ earlier in the day, which, in turn, provided our visitors with spectacular seasonal bakes. Thanks to the generous donations of gifts we had received from Withington families, every guest was delighted to receive a gift. The event was a fabulous success and, as ever, enjoyed by all who were involved and attended.