What it's like

Founded in 1480 by William Waynflete as part of Magdalen College, it is located on a historic site in the heart of Oxford. Founded as a boys' school, girls are admitted to the sixth form from 2010. Recent improvements include a new teaching block, an up-to-date ICT centre and a sports complex with squash courts, sports hall and floodlit tennis courts. The school provides excellent pastoral care and there is a commitment to help boys succeed both within and outside of the classroom. Teaching is very good and academic results are correspondingly high. Music, art and drama are all strong. Sports are taken seriously and standards are high with county champions in rugby and hockey in recent years. Teams also regularly progress to regional stages of national competitions. A large number of extra-curricular activities are offered, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. All pupils are involved in either the CCF or community service for two years.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 7-18; 708 day boys (including 16 Magdalen College choristers). Entrance:  Main entry ages 7, 9, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used, plus interview and school report at all levels. Sixth form entry is based on GCSE performance (20 points, where A* is 4 points, A is 3 etc). State school entry, approximately 40% main intake.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships awarded at 11 and 13, value up to £300: 6-12 academic, 2-3 music, 2-3 sport, 2-3 art. Means-tested bursaries to parents on low incomes awarded at any age.

Head & staff

Master: Dr Tim Hands, in post from 2008. Educated at Emanuel School, King's College London and Oxford University. Previously Headmaster at Portsmouth Grammar School, Second Master at Whitgift and Housemaster at King's School, Canterbury. Has published several books on Thomas Hardy, religion, philosophy and culture. Teaching staff: 65 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 33.

Exam results

GCSE: 88 pupils in fifth form: all gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 80 in upper sixth, gaining an average final point score of 458.

Pupils' destinations

100% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 18% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 48% in science and engineering, 44% in humanities and social sciences.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 19 subjects offered. Sixth form: Sixth formers typically take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level. 20% took science A-levels; 25% arts/humanities; 55% both. Key skills course being trialled. Languages: Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, German and Chinese offered to GCSE and A-level. French, German and Spanish exchanges (to Grenoble, Frankfurt-am-Main and Madrid). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 90 computers for pupil use (10 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Most pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Active tradition of music and extensive range of ensembles including 2 symphony orchestras, string orchestra, 3 choirs (including sixth form choir with girls from local schools), madrigal society, close harmony group, 2 jazz bands, samba band, percussion ensemble, guitar ensembles and numerous chamber groups. A number of pupils are in junior departments of conservatoires and members of National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Choir and National Youth Musical Theatre. Each year, boys gain organ and choral awards to Oxbridge. Choristers perform on TV and film soundtracks and premiered Sir Paul McCartney's new choral work (2006). Drama: Drama offered extensively. Many pupils are involved in school and house/other productions; some write and produce their own productions. Art and design: On average, 25-35 take GCSE, 8-12 A-level. Subjects include film, animation, graphic design, photography, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, drawing and painting; also sixth-form course in art history. Pupils have been successful in competitions.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis are major games; cross-country, soccer, badminton, squash, rowing, golf, sailing, swimming are minor. U14 south of England hockey champions (2009), U18 and U13 county hockey champtions (2008), U19 county rugby champions (2007), national sailing champions (2007 and 2008). Activities: All pupils involved in either CCF or community service for 2 years from age 15 (CCF twinned with local girls' schools). Over 60 clubs, including Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, archaeology, bridge, Christian Union, computing, general knowledge, natural history, politics, debating, stage, history, outdoor pursuits.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy, prefects, appointed by the Master following votes by pupils and staff; head of house and house prefects appointed by housemaster. Religion: Church of England. Attendance at religious worship compulsory unless there are known religious objections. Voluntary weekly Eucharist. Roman Catholic prayers weekly. Social: Regular debates, lectures, plays with local girls' schools. Ski trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service.

Discipline

Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect to hand it in the following morning or detention in the afternoon; those caught bringing cannabis onto the premises would expect expulsion.

Former pupils

William Tyndale (translator of New Testament); St Thomas More; Noel Chavasse (sole winner of two VCs in Great War); Ivor Novello (composer, singer and actor); Sir Basil Blackwell (publisher); John Caird and Sam Mendes (theatre and film directors/producers); Nigel Starmer-Smith and Jim Rosenthal (sports commentators); Sir Tim Hunt (Nobel prize for medicine).