Magdalen College School

Since 2016, Helen Pike. Modern history at Christ Church, Oxford, followed by an MA in European history (Michigan). Considered academia, but then ‘decided that I wasn’t going to do a PhD and instead went to teach medieval history at Westminster,’ she

Earliest entry is into year 3; boys assessed in short, teacher-led tests in maths and English, observation lessons, activities and an interview. Additional joiners at 8+, 9+ and 10+, when tests become formal and only those shortlisted are

Majority move from junior school up to senior school, though they must pass the exams. A handful leave senior school after GCSEs. Huge majority of year 13s go on to Russell Group: Durham, Imperial, UCL, Warwick all feature heavily. Twenty-six to

In 2025, 94 per cent 9-7 at I/GCSE; 80 per cent A*/A at A level (94 per cent A*-B).

It must be a joy to teach such curious boys and girls. Lessons of 40 minutes require quick-wittedness on everybody’s part, ensuring pacy, purposeful learning. As we hovered in the back of their chemistry lesson, year 10 burst into spontaneous

Everyone screened in year 5, and on entry in later years. Just over seven per cent have SEN, considerably less than the national average. Learning support is ‘on hand from the get-go’ at the junior school. Further up, every subject runs clinics,

Over 40 per cent learn an instrument in school and lots learn outside, too. Characteristic rigour here: last year, 20 grade 8 musicians were awarded distinction; two received full marks. One student has just written a full requiem; concerts are held

‘People don’t realise how good the sport is,’ pupils said (they told us that last time we visited too, mind you). ‘Football this year is flying,’ said a cricketer, proud of his mates; there’s been an MCS hockey team in the national finals since 2022;

Not a big school. Numbers start below 30 in year 3, climbing to 100-plus in years 9 to 11 and 160 in sixth form. Lesson changeovers feel calm and purposeful; the queue for the tuck shop at break time is orderly. Rebellion here is usually of the

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

We saw enough spectacles, lisps and train track braces to confirm that being conventionally cool here isn’t important. Pupils we met were, to a tee, engaging and delightfully well-mannered. ‘So, how long have you been visiting schools, then?’ asked

Approximately one in 10 pupils on means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent; currently almost half of those are in receipt of 80 per cent or more. Fees remain lower than many comparable schools.

Steeped in history but not weighed down by it, with no esoteric language or complicated uniform to contend with, MCS has been cultivating curiosity for well over half a millennium and yet feels modern, playful and unpretentious. As one year 3 put it,