What is Philsoc?

The Manchester Grammar School Philosophical Society (more commonly referred to as PhilSoc) was founded in 1869 by a group of sixteen MGS sixth form pupils. The High Master of MGS at the time, Frederick William Walker gave them permission for “the use of a classroom once a week to discuss Natural Philosophy in out-of-school hours”.

In the first academic year of PhilSoc, eighteen academic meetings were held, with papers prepared and read by the boys themselves. The concept of PhilSoc as a science society for sixth formers remains the same to this day.

PhilSoc aims to give weekly lectures about a variety of scientific matters, these days often presented by guest lecturers and researchers, often at the cutting edge in their field.

Although it was initially an MGS-only initiative, PhilSoc has since become more affiliated with the surrounding schools: Manchester High School for Girls and Withington Girls’ School, and is held in a lecture theatre at one of the three schools every school Friday afternoon.