BoysIndependent

Magdalen College School

Oxford, Oxfordshire, South East · OX4 1DZ

Founded in 1480, Magdalen College School is a boys' independent day school in Oxford with a Christian character, taking pupils from the ages of 7 to 18. With 951 on roll and a notably low pupil-to-teacher ratio of around nine to one, it offers a closely supervised education led by Master Helen Pike. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school 'excellent' for both education and personal development, with all compliance standards met. A substantial sixth form of 321 pupils makes the upper school a significant part of the picture.

951

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£28,812

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Boys
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 7-18
Pupils: 951
Pupil:teacher ratio: 9
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire, South East
Website: www.mcsoxford.org
Telephone: 01865 242191

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Master Ms Helen Pike

Latest results

Attainment 8

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

94%

A-level A*-A

80%

A-level A*-B

94%

Teaching & academics

Results sit firmly at the top end: 94% of GCSE grades fall in the 9-7 range, and at A-level 80% of entries are graded A*-A, rising to 94% at A*-B. The curriculum is broad and academically ambitious, with mathematics, the sciences and humanities especially popular alongside languages including Latin, Classical Greek, Spanish and Chinese. Nearly a fifth of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting individual needs are actively identified within a high-achieving environment.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 321

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsFurther MathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyHistoryEnglish LiteratureEconomicsGeographyGovernment and PoliticsReligious StudiesMusicSpanishLatinClassical GreekComputer ScienceArt and Design

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-level

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 18.95%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

Academic ScholarshipsMusic ScholarshipsAcademic Exhibitions

Languages

SpanishChinese

Popular GCSE subjects

English LanguageEnglish LiteratureGeographyLatinMusicComputer ScienceChineseArt and Design

Sport

Main sports

FootballCricketHockeyRugby

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a visible part of school life, with football, cricket, hockey and rugby among the main offerings. Music holds a prominent place too, reflected in dedicated music scholarships and its strength as both a GCSE and A-level subject.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1480
Religious character: Christian
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Sixth form students permitted to use mobile phones in lessons with teacher permission or in sixth form centre. Years 7-11 may only use phones at teacher discretion. Photography/video forbidden without permission. No gaming or social media. Mobile phones and smart devices not permitted in junior school.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £27,750 - £28,812
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available up to 100%

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 10 October 2023

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A historic Oxford school with genuinely strong results and the resources to match. Day fees approach £29,000, but means-tested bursaries of up to 100% and a range of scholarships widen the door.

The Passmate verdict