Magdalen College School, Oxford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Magdalen College School |
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| Address | |
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Cowley Place
, , OX4 1DZ
England
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| Coordinates | 51°44′57″N 1°14′39″W / 51.74903°N 1.24429°W |
| Information | |
| Other name | MCS |
| Type | Private day school |
| Motto | Latin: Sicut Lilium (Like the Lily) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Church of England |
| Established | 1480 |
| Founder | William Waynflete |
| Local authority | Oxfordshire County Council |
| Department for Education URN | 123311 Tables |
| Master | Helen Pike |
| Gender |
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| Age range | 7–18 |
| Enrolment | 897 (2018) |
| Capacity | 930 |
| Houses |
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| Colour(s) | Black and red |
| Publication |
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| Yearbook | The Lily |
| Alumni | Old Waynfletes (OWs) |
| Charity Commission. Magdalen College School, registered charity no. 295785. https://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/SearchResultHandler.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=295785. | |
Magdalen College School (MCS) is a private day school in Oxford, England. It is for boys aged seven to eighteen. Girls can join the school for the last two years, known as the sixth form (ages sixteen to eighteen).
The school was started by William Waynflete in 1480. It was part of Magdalen College, Oxford. The person in charge of the school is called "the Master." A group of governors oversees the school and chooses the Master.
MCS has both a senior school and a junior school. The Senior School has six houses. These houses are named after former students who died in the World Wars. Each house has a housemaster. The Junior School also has six houses.
The school was named "Independent School of the Year" by The Sunday Times in 2004 and 2008. It was the first boys' school to win this award twice.
Contents
School History
How the School Started
William Waynflete founded the school to teach the sixteen boy choristers of Magdalen College. These boys sang in the college's chapel. The school also taught other smart local children.
We know for sure the school existed in 1480. However, it might have started even earlier, around 1478. When it began, there were about thirty boys. Today, the school has grown to over 850 students.
Over the years, the school has been in different parts of Magdalen College. It first used a building near the college chapel. This building was later replaced by the college's 15th-century structures.
Changes and Growth
After the First World War, the school joined a special program. This meant it had to offer free places to a quarter of its students. These places were for boys from public elementary schools. This decision helped the school stay open to students from all backgrounds.
The school's current location began to take shape in the late 1800s. It slowly moved across Magdalen Bridge to Cowley Place. This move started in 1891 because the old buildings were getting old. A new building, now called School House, opened in 1894.
At first, lessons still happened at the old site. Students had to walk over Magdalen Bridge every day. Today, the choristers still make this trip. They use a special tunnel under Magdalen Bridge to avoid the busy road.
The school kept growing in the early 1900s. By 1925, there were about 170 students.
Moving to Cowley Place
In 1928, the school fully moved across Magdalen Bridge. This was because Magdalen College needed more space. New buildings were planned, but there was some uncertainty for the school.
Temporary classrooms were built along Cowley Place. Many of these buildings are still used today. The old school buildings at Longwall Street became part of Magdalen College. For example, the school's original "Big School" is now the college's "New Library."
A new school chapel was added in 1929. Old students paid for it. It had stained glass from the original chapel. It also had portraits of former Masters and students. This chapel later became a library.
World War II and New Buildings
By 1938, the school buildings were too small. They were made of wood and not meant to last a long time. A fundraising effort called "Bricks for wood" began. The goal was to raise money for new, stronger buildings.
However, the Second World War stopped these plans. During the war, more students came to the school. Oxford was a safer city. The school's cadet force helped with local defense. By 1949, the school had about 400 students.
After the war, the school became a "direct grant grammar school." This meant it still received government money. It also continued its tradition of open education.
In the 1950s, the school started building again. New teaching blocks and laboratories were constructed. In 1959, plans began for the current "Big School" building. This unique hexagonal building opened in 1966. It has a stage and an area for a chapel.
When the new Big School opened, the old Big School became the school's gym.
Becoming Independent
In the late 1960s, the school's funding changed. By 1976, the governors decided the school would become fully independent. This meant it no longer received direct government grants.
A new library, the Basil Blackwell library, was built. It is named after a famous bookseller and former student.
In 2010, girls were admitted to the sixth form for the first time. The school continues to teach both boys and girls in their final two years.
Student Houses
House Names and Colors
Magdalen College School has six houses. They are named after former students who died in the two World Wars. Each house has its own color.
| House | Named after: | Colour | Died in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callender | John Clement Callender | Emerald Green | WW1 | |
| Chavasse | Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, VC and Bar, MC | Dark blue | WW1 | Captain Chavasse is one of only three men ever to be awarded VC & Bar. |
| Leicester | Donovan Nicholas Leicester | Purple | WW1 | |
| Maltby | Charles Robert Crighton Maltby | Light blue | WW1 | |
| Walker-Dunn | Geoffrey Walker and Bruce Dunn | Red | WW2 | |
| Wilkinson-Blagden | Frank D. Wilkinson MC and Maurice Bernard Blagden | Yellow | WW1 |
Sports at MCS
The school has a large playing field called School Field. It is an island in the River Cherwell. Bridges connect it to the school. This field is used for sports like cricket, rugby, and football. It also has courts for lawn tennis. The field was made flat for sports in 1907. The current sports pavilion was built in 1913.
Kingball
Kingball is a special game played only at Magdalen College School. It might have come from an older game called Fives. However, its rules are more like modern games such as four square.
The rules of Kingball are passed down each year. But, new groups of students often add their own rules. The school has four painted courts for the game. Students still play Kingball every day during breaks.
Music Program
The school has a strong music program. The current Director of Music is Jon Cullen. Sabrina Shortland is the Assistant Director of Music. The school has three organs and a special Music School building.
Many different instruments are taught at MCS. There are also many music groups for different styles. These groups perform regularly. Some students are part of national youth orchestras and choirs. The school offers scholarships to talented musicians.
The school still teaches the choristers of Magdalen College, Oxford. This was its original purpose when it was founded.
Other Schools with the Same Name
William Waynflete also founded another Magdalen College School. It was in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, but it closed in 1933. There is still a Magdalen College School in Brackley, Northamptonshire.
Notable People from MCS
Famous Masters
- Cardinal Wolsey – a very important adviser to King Henry VIII.
- Charles Edward Brownrigg – Master from 1900 to 1930.
- Timothy Hands — Master from 2008 to 2016.
Famous Staff
- Colin Hannaford – a former math teacher and writer.
Famous Former Students (Old Waynfletes)
Former students of MCS are called Old Waynfletes (OWs). This name comes from the school's founder, William Waynflete.
Here are some famous Old Waynfletes:
- St Thomas More – an important historical figure.
- William Tyndale – he translated the Bible into English.
- John Foxe – a writer who wrote about martyrs.
- Basil Blackwell – a famous bookseller. The school library is named after him.
- Noel Chavasse VC & Bar – the most decorated soldier in British history.
- Ivor Novello – a famous singer, songwriter, and actor.
- John Caird – director of the musical Les Misérables.
- Jim Rosenthal – a TV sports commentator.
- Tim Hunt – a scientist who won the Nobel Prize.
- Rick Fenn – a rock guitarist from the band 10cc.
- Sam Mendes – an Oscar-winning film and stage director.
- Ben Goldacre – a journalist.
- Kenneth G. Wilson – a scientist who won the Nobel Prize.
- Julian Opie – a modern artist.
- Jonathan Bailey – an actor.
- Yannis Philippakis – the lead singer of the band Foals.
- Oli Steadman – the bassist for the band Stornoway.
- Omid Scobie – a journalist and writer.
See also
- List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom
