Magdalen College School, Oxford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Magdalen College School
Address
Cowley Place Oxford , Oxfordshire , OX4 1DZ England
Coordinates	51°44′57″N 1°14′39″W / 51.74903°N 1.24429°W / 51.74903; -1.24429
Information
Other name	MCS
Type	Private day school
Motto	Latin: Sicut Lilium (Like the Lily)
Religious affiliation(s)	Church of England
Established	1480; 545 years ago (1480)
Founder	William Waynflete
Local authority	Oxfordshire County Council
Department for Education URN	123311 Tables
Master	Helen Pike
Gender	Boys Mixed (sixth form)
Age range	7–18
Enrolment	897 (2018)
Capacity	930
Houses	Callender Chavasse Leicester Maltby Walker-Dunn Wilkinson-Blagden
Colour(s)	Black and red
Publication	The Lily The Melting Pot 155 The Magdalen Blazer Views From The Bridge (Junior School)
Alumni	Old Waynfletes
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 (called the sixth form, ages sixteen to eighteen). The school was started around 1480 by William Waynflete. It was part of Magdalen College, Oxford.

The school is led by a headmaster, who is called "the Master." A group of governors controls the school and chooses the Master. MCS has 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, who is a senior teacher.

Magdalen College 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.

History of Magdalen College School

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. Other smart local children also attended. We know for sure the school existed by 1480. However, it probably started even earlier, around 1478. The school has grown a lot since then. It started with about thirty boys and now has over 850 students.

Over the years, the school used different parts of the Magdalen College buildings. At first, it was in a low hall near the Chapel of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist. This building was later replaced by the college's 15th-century buildings.

Moving to a New Location

The Choristers' tunnel under Magdalen Bridge. It connects Magdalen College School to Magdalen College.

In the late 1800s, the school started moving to its current site. This new location is on Cowley Place, across Magdalen Bridge. The move began in 1891. A new building, now called School House, was first used in 1894 for students who lived at the school.

At that time, classes were still held at the old site on Longwall Street. So, students living at the school walked over Magdalen Bridge every day. Today, the choristers still make this trip daily. 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.

In 1928, the entire school moved across Magdalen Bridge. This was because the college needed more space. New temporary classrooms were built on Cowley Place. Many of these buildings are still used today. The old school buildings on Longwall Street became part of the college. For example, the school's "Big School" became the college's "New Library."

A new school chapel was added in 1929. Old students paid for it. It had stained glass from the first chapel and portraits of past Masters. This chapel later became a library when the current "Big School" building opened in 1966.

World War II and Growth

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 to build new, stronger buildings. However, World War II stopped these plans.

During the war, more students came to the school. Oxford was a safer city. The school's cadet force helped protect Oxford. By 1949, the school had about 400 students. After the war, the school continued its tradition of open education.

In the 1950s, the school started to expand. New buildings were added. In 1957, new science and design workshops were built. In 1966, the current "Big School" building opened. It was designed in a unique hexagonal shape. It has a stage and an orchestra pit. 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 system changed. By 1976, the school decided to become fully independent. This meant it would no longer receive government grants.

In 2010, Magdalen College School welcomed girls into the sixth form for the first time. It continues to teach both boys and girls in the final two years of school.

Pupils' Houses

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.

Sports at MCS

A view across the River Cherwell towards Magdalen College School's playing field.

School Field is an island in the River Cherwell. It was first used by the school in 1893. Bridges connect it to the school's rose gardens. This field is used for many sports. Students play cricket, rugby, football, and lawn tennis there. 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 are passed down each year. But, each new group of students often adds their own rules. The school has four painted courts for Kingball. Students still play this game every day during breaks.

Music Program

The school has a strong music program. The current Director of Music is Jon Cullen. The Assistant Director of Music is Sabrina Shortland. MCS has two organs. It also has a special building for music. Performance spaces include the School Hall (called 'Big School') and the Music School. Many instruments are taught. There are also many music groups for different styles.

The school takes part in national music competitions. Many students are part of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. The school also offers scholarships for talented musicians. Magdalen College School is also the school for the Choristers of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Other Schools with the Same Name

William Waynflete also started a Magdalen College School in Wainfleet, Lincolnshire. That school closed in 1933. There is still a Magdalen College School in Brackley, Northamptonshire.

Famous People from MCS

Former students of Magdalen College School are called Old Waynfletes (OWs). This name comes from the school's founder, William Waynflete.

Here are some famous Old Waynfletes:

• St Thomas More – A famous writer and important person in history.
• William Tyndale – He translated the Bible into English.
• John Foxe – A writer known for his book about Protestant 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 well-known singer, songwriter, and actor.
• John Caird – The director of the famous musical Les Misérables.
• Jim Rosenthal – A TV sports commentator.
• Tim Hunt – A scientist who won the Nobel Prize.
• Rick Fenn – A rock guitarist, part of the band 10cc.
• Sam Mendes – An Oscar-winning film and stage director.
• Ben Goldacre – A journalist and doctor.
• Kenneth G. Wilson – Another scientist who won the Nobel Prize.
• Julian Opie – A modern artist.
• Jonathan Bailey – A popular actor.
• Yannis Philippakis – The lead singer of the band Foals.