Magdalen College School consists of 640 boys aged 7–16 with a co-educational Sixth Form of 324. Academic standards are among the highest in the country and there is a strong emphasis on study beyond the syllabus, especially in the Waynflete Studies programme. This allows Sixth Formers to develop a personal project, which is finally supervised by university academics. Almost all pupils go on to higher education with about a third each year progressing to Oxford or Cambridge. The school seeks to develop the individuality and interests of each pupil. There is a strong emphasis on extracurricular activity, with particularly proud traditions in sport, music and drama.
History. Founded by William of Waynflete, Magdalen College School opened in 1480, and rapidly acquired an international reputation. Early Masters included Thomas Wolsey, early pupils Richard Hooker, John Foxe, Thomas More and William Tyndale. The school, which from an early stage provided choristers for the College choir, was accommodated entirely in College until the late 19th century, when expanding numbers led to the acquisition and erection of buildings on the other side of the Cherwell, opposite the University Botanical Gardens and adjacent to St Hilda’s College. Today’s school still occupies this picturesque site.
Buildings. The school buildings include a Chapel which also serves as a theatre, a library, classrooms, science laboratories, Music School, Sports Complex, Design and Technology Rooms and an art department. In June 2001, a £2million sports complex was opened and in 2005, the school opened its new Sir Basil Blackwell Library. In Autumn 2008, The Michael Peagram Building was opened which houses a modern dining hall, the Art and Design department, Senior Common Room and reception area. In 2012, the Sports Hall was extended to incorporate a studio and additional classrooms, and a climbing wall was added. The state-of-the-art Richard Record Sixth Form Centre was completed in October 2017, including a cafeteria, study space and offices as well as the central social space.
Pastoral. From 7–11, boys are in form groups. Their Tutor is responsible for day-to-day care, pastoral welfare and academic progress. Boys from age 11 and Sixth Form girls are allocated to one of the six Houses. A Housemaster or Tutor in charge of each section is responsible for the pastoral and academic welfare of pupils in his or her Houseroom. The Heads of Departments, SENCO, Chaplain and Matron also play key roles in the pastoral organisation.
Organisation and curriculum. All boys study a core of subjects to GCSE level, consisting of English, Maths, Science and at least one modern foreign language. In addition, there is a wide variety of options taken by pupils in their GCSE years including Latin and Greek, Geography, German, Spanish, History, Computing and Art. There is no streaming and very little setting.
Pupils study four subjects in the Lower Sixth and sit rigorous internal exams in the Trinity Term. Pupils have the opportunity to focus on three subjects in the Upper Sixth, but a significant proportion sit four or even five A Levels. MCS has a busy curriculum in the Sixth Form; as well as their A Levels, all pupils complete an independent research project (Waynflete Studies), have Games sessions and take part in our Community Service Programme. The provision is further enriched by a Thinking Skills programme and by regular seminars and lectures delivered by members of the MCS community and visiting speakers.
Careers. Careers Aptitude Tests are offered to all boys in the Upper Fourth Form, and there is a regular programme of careers workshops with support programmes for specific careers, e.g. Medicine. Most pupils undertake a work experience placement at the end of the Fifth Form; an extensive programme offering entrepreneurship opportunities from Year 9 upwards is in development.
Sports and societies. In addition to Physical Education, which is taught in the curriculum, games play a major part in the School. Major sports are rugby in the Michaelmas Term, hockey and rowing in Hilary, and cricket, rowing and tennis in the Trinity Term. Other sports include basketball, netball, football, fencing, cross-country, sailing and athletics. There are Army and Air Force sections of the CCF and a Community Service Organisation. Many pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
The main playing field, surrounded by the River Cherwell, adjoins the grounds of School House and covers 11 acres. The school also enjoys the daily use of the adjacent Christ Church playing fields and regularly uses a number of other university sporting and cultural facilities. In addition, the school has use of the Magdalen College sports fields one mile from the School. Rowing takes place on the Cherwell from the school grounds.
Music is extremely important in the school and there is a large Choral Society, a Madrigal Group, Senior and Junior Orchestras, a Jazz Band and other ensembles. Many pupils are involved in drama and there are several productions in the year, including performances at theatres around Oxford. There are many other societies and clubs covering cultural and recreational activities. The main school concert is held annually in the Sheldonian Theatre. The school is the founder and main sponsor of the Oxford Festival of the Arts, an annual multi-disciplinary celebration, which features events, performances and community projects throughout the City.
Admissions. The main entry points are at 7, 11, 13 and 16. Around 25 boys are taken at 7, a further 15 or so at 8 and 9, and about 70 at the age of 11. Up to 25 boys are taken at 13. Around 60 boys and girls join the school directly into the Sixth Form.
Admission at ages 7, 8, 9 and 11 is by a School Entrance Examination held in January or February each year.
Admission at age 13 is by pre-test at 11 followed by the Common Entrance Examination for most candidates at preparatory schools and by a School Entrance Examination held in March each year for candidates at maintained schools.
Offers of Sixth Form places are made after interview, and are conditional on GCSE grades.
Candidates can be registered at any age. Full particulars can be obtained from the Registrar, email registrar@mcsoxford.org. Term of entry. Pupils enter the school in September. Exceptionally, for example, if parents move into the Oxford area, other arrangements can be made.
Fees per term (2024-2025). £7,412 (Years 3 to 4); £7,695 (Year 5 to Sixth Form). There is a Sixth Form Levy of £125.00. Fees are payable in advance and are inclusive of textbooks and stationery. The Registration Fee (non-returnable) is currently £150 or £250 for overseas candidates. For the latest fees look at www.mcsoxford.org/fees. Scholarships, exhibitions and bursaries. Scholarships, Exhibitions and Governors’ Presentation Awards are awarded at all points of entry.
Bursaries are available subject to testing of parental means and many bursaries are supported through alumni gifts.
At age 13, up to 16 scholarships are awarded each year based on the results of a two-day scholarship examination in February. Candidates should be under 14 on the subsequent 1 September. Closing date for entries: 11 January.
Music, Art, Drama and Sports Scholarships are awarded each year on the results of assessments held in January (Music), February (Art and Drama) and November (Sports). Music award holders also receive free tuition in one instrument.
Further information can be obtained from the Registrar.
Choristerships. There are 16 Choristerships. Entry is by Voice Trial and candidates should normally be between the ages of 7 and 9. For a Chorister, two-thirds of the tuition fee are remitted. All enquiries about Choristerships should be addressed to the Informator Choristarum, Magdalen College, Oxford OX1 4AU. Choristers normally continue at the school after their voices have broken. In deserving cases, further financial help may be available.
Honours. Almost all pupils go on to higher education when they leave – to Oxford, Cambridge and other universities.
Old Waynfletes. The school has an active alumni network which supports social and professional activities and fundraising projects. Representative Old Waynfletes of the 20th century include Olympic athlete and soldier, Noel Chavasse, VC and bar; bookseller Sir Basil Blackwell; Nobel Prize winner Sir Tim Hunt; composer Ivor Novello; educationalist Tom Wheare; theatre director John Caird, film and theatre director Sir Sam Mendes, visual artist Julian Opie and sports commentators Nigel Starmer Smith and Jim Rosenthal.
Charitable status. Magdalen College School Oxford Limited is a Registered Charity, number 295785. Its aims and objectives are to promote and provide for the education of children.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Mr R J Price (Chairman)
Mr A D James (Vice Chair)
Dr R R Phillips (Vice Chair)
Professor M R Bridson
Mr J M Hawker [OW]
Mr S R Hope
Mrs S Khan
Mr R J Langley
Mrs A F La Trobe Weston
Mr A J P Nott
Dr R A Saldanha
Mr B A M Vessey [OW]
Mr M Whitmore
Master: Miss Helen L Pike, MA Oxon, MA Michigan, MA London (History)
Usher: Mr T G Beaumont, MA Cantab (History, Safeguarding Officer)
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr B D White, BA Oxon (Mathematics)
Deputy Head (Education Development): Dr S R Crawford, BA Oxon, PhD (Biology)
Clerk to the Governors and Bursar: Mrs K A Nicholson, BComm
PA to the Master: Mrs A Sweeney, BA
Registrar: Mrs A Green, BA
Director of the Waynflete Office: Mrs S J Baker, MA