Magdalen College School (MCS) is a public school (English independent day school) in Oxford, England, for boys aged seven to eighteen and for girls located in the heart of Oxford.
It has both a senior school and a junior school.
It was founded by William Waynflete about 1480 as part of Magdalen College, Oxford.
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, placed sixth in the Southeast.
In the Junior School, they help pupils nurture the talents, interests and skills which will see them flourish over the years to come. Extra-curricular activities are a key part of a child’s happiness and development. That’s why they dedicate a whole afternoon each week to activities where the boys can explore their interests, socialise, and learn new skills. For more information CLICK HERE.
Senior School is about so much more than excelling academically—the boys also become well-rounded and grounded individuals ready for the challenges of Sixth Form, Higher Education and the world beyond MCS. For more information CLICK HERE.
Students in the Sixth Form benefit from a distinctive and inspiring classroom experience, and unrivalled links with the University ensure a rewarding and enriching two years at MCS. For more information CLICK HERE.
Drama
Drama in the Sixth Form at MCS offers something for everyone, with a huge range of opportunities available for pupils of all tastes and abilities. The school enjoys exciting partnerships with the Oxford Playhouse and the Pegasus Theatre, giving access to impressive performance spaces and professional direction. Usual highlights of the annual programme include a Greek play, a large-scale musical, various studio productions including an Edinburgh Fringe transfer, a mainstage production at Oxford Playhouse and an outdoor Shakespeare on the banks of the Cherwell. Highlights of this year’s programme included a joyous Anything Goes, an intense and immersive Julius Caesar and a very moving All My Sons. We staged a production of Chekhov’s farce The Bear in the beautiful surroundings of Wotton House. Our Lower School pupils delighted audiences with The 39 Steps and Endurance, a new play about Shackleton’s polar expedition.
Music
Music is at the heart of school life and all pupils are involved in musical activities during their time at MCS.A multitude of orchestras, choirs, ensembles and bands cater for pupils of all abilities and musical tastes at Magdalen College School. We hold regular concerts at The Sheldonian Theatre, Magdalen College Chapel, The Grove Auditorium and SJE Arts, as well as an Evening of Jazz & Blues and numerous formal and informal concerts at school. We additionally offer lessons in guitar (and bass guitar), saxophone, drum kit, percussion, harp and singing. Over 450 instrumental lessons are taught in school each week and many pupils learn externally.
Trips
Every department at MCS runs day trips each year, both as part of the curriculum and for extension. Regular destinations include Lulworth Cove (Geography), the Roman Baths at Bath (Classics), the Neasden Temple (Theology), Kew Gardens (Art), the British Library (History), the Houses of Parliament (Politics) and the Natural History Museum (Biology). We also run a broad range of residential trips throughout the year, both in the UK and abroad, to enhance pupils’ learning beyond the classroom. In recent years, the school has taken Geographers to India and Iceland, Physicists to the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Classicists to Sicily and Greece, Theologians to Poland, Artists to New York and Politics students to Brussels, to mention a few. There is also a yearly Drama company tour to the Edinburgh Fringe, among numerous other extra-curricular trips. The Sports Department regularly takes teams on tour around the country and further afield, to destinations such as Spain (tennis), Sri Lanka (cricket), Malaysia (hockey) and the USA (rugby).
Clubs & Activities
Extra-curricular life at Magdalen College School is not just based on sport, music and drama – there are a wealth of clubs and societies that take place every week. The spirit of the place is such that, if there is an interest in setting up a new club, staff will volunteer to help it in partnership with pupils. See below for a taste of the extra-curricular activities on offer at MCS:
- Art Society
- Chess
- Combined Cadet Force
- Debating Society
- Running Club
- Photography Club
- Mountaineering/Hillwalking Club
Sport
Sport plays a central role in the life of all pupils at MCS and will provide some of their fondest memories in their time at the school. We aim to provide a sporting option for everyone and we aim to inspire each pupil to be the best they can be. Whether that will be representing their country in their age-group, playing for the 1st team in one of our focus sports or climbing on the climbing wall we hope to nurture and support each pupils’ aspirations. There are now more pupils playing sport at MCS than ever before, and more recently we have seen the benefits of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle – as well as the benefits to their academic achievements.
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