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What it's like

Founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor to Richard II, it lies at the edge of the city and close to the water meadows. It has the longest unbroken history of any school in the country and has been in continuous occupation of its original buildings for 600 years. Most of them are still used for the purpose for which they were designed, and they are virtually without rival among school buildings for their venerability and beauty. The Scholars still live in the 14th-century College; other buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, plus some recent structures. Accommodation and facilities are first rate; they include exceptionally good libraries, a theatre, a music school and an art school. Intellectually and academically, Winchester is one of the most distinguished schools in Britain and examination results are outstanding. Each year 40-50 sixth formers go on to Oxbridge. The school is in the process of moving from A-levels to the new Pre-U examination. A tremendously strong music department involves a majority of the school: two-thirds of the pupils learn a musical instrument and there are several choirs and orchestras. There are numerous school and house dramatic productions and the art department is also very strong. High standards prevail in sports and games, of which some 30 are available (including Winchester College football which is peculiar to the school); there are many representatives at county level. A large number of extra-curricular activities are offered and an impressive commitment to community service.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Age range 13-18; 690 boys (25 day, 665 boarding). Entrance:  Main entry ages 13 and a few at 16. Own entrance exam used. Academic ability and other interests required. Oversubscribed (registration from age 8). Pupils come from a wide range of feeder schools.

Scholarships & bursaries

Means-tested academic scholarships and music awards available (approximately 30 pa); also means-tested bursaries in cases of financial need. Music tuition, books etc charged extra.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Dr Ralph Townsend, appointed 2005. Educated at Scotch College, Western Australia, and at the universities of Western Australia and Oxford (English). Previously, Headmaster of Oundle and of Sydney Grammar School, Head of English at Eton, and Research Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. Publications: books, reviews and articles on religious literature and church history. Also governor of six schools including Ampleforth. Teaching staff: 86 full time, 15 part time. Annual turnover 2%.

Exam results

GCSE: 138 in upper fifth, all gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Pre-U/A-levels: 138 in upper sixth. All pass in 3+ subjects with a final point score of 509.

Pupils' destinations

99% of sixth form leavers go on to do a degree course, 37% to Oxbridge. 34% take courses in science and engineering, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 4% in other vocational subjects eg law, architecture, 12% take combined courses.

Curriculum

GCSE and Cambridge Pre-U. 22 Pre-U subjects. Sixth form: Most take 3−4 Pre-U subjects. In addition, all take a non-examined course of general education (equivalent in time to an A-level). 22% take science/maths; 35% arts/humanities; 43% combinations. Vocational: Work experience available. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE and Pre-U; also Mandarin Chinese and Japanese for some students. Regular exchanges to France and Germany; visits to Russia and Spain. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg use of internet, wordprocessing, especially in geography. 120 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. All boarding houses have networked computers, one fully radio-networked. 75% of pupils have their own computers.

The arts

Music: 66% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Large number of musical groups, including 2 symphony orchestras, chamber orchestra, symphonic band, brass groups, string quartets, large jazz/rock band, two chapel choirs and a large chorus. College has its own choir school. Scholarships to music colleges and choral and instrumental awards to Oxbridge. Drama: About 50% of pupils are involved in school productions. Some 12 productions per year, directed by both staff and pupils; some at Minack Theatre (Cornwall) and Edinburgh Festival. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 19 Pre-U.

Sports & activities

Sport: 31 options (none compulsory) including athletics, badminton, basketball, canoeing, cricket, cross-country, fishing, fives, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, rackets, rowing, sailing, shooting, soccer, squash, sub-aqua, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo, weight and circuit training, Winchester College football. Pupils occasionally in national shooting and rowing teams; some regional basketball reps; regular county cross-country and water polo reps. Activities: CCF compulsory for a year at age 14, optional thereafter. Community service optional for 3 years from age 15 (some 260 pupils involved). Up to 30 clubs eg archaeology, bellringing, bookbinding, bridge, chess, classical, clay-pigeon, debating, drama, electronics, film, French poetry, green, natural history, photography, printing, science, Spanish, stamps.

School life

Uniform: School uniform not worn, but dress regulations; scholars wear gowns. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head of house and house prefects - chosen by Housemasters after consultation with prefects and approved by the Headmaster. Head boy chosen by Headmaster. Religion: Church of England. Compulsory religious worship; Catholic Mass; separate meetings for those of other faiths. Social: Debates, music, drama. Pupils allowed to bring own bikes to school. Meals formal. School shop. No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

Clear code of conduct is printed in termly diary and is rigorously adhered to.

Boarding

30% have own study bedroom, 60% are in dormitories of 6+. Houses of 60-65. The 70 scholars live together in College. Resident matron in each house. No central dining room. Exeats of 5 days in summer term, a week in spring, 10 days in winter term. Visits to the local town allowed.

Association of former pupils

Winchester College Society, www.wincollsoc@wincoll.ac.uk

Former pupils

Viscount (Willie) Whitelaw, Lord (Geoffrey) Howe, Douglas Jay, Sir Stafford Cripps, Hugh Gaitskell, Lord (George) Younger, Richard Crossman (politicians); Sir Jeremy Morse (banker); (Field Marshal) Lord Carver; (Air Chief Marshall) Lord Dowding (Battle of Britain); (Field Marshall) Earl Wavell (Viceroy of India); Brian Trubshaw (first pilot of Concord); Professor Freeman Dyson, Lord (William) Penney, Richard Synge (scientists); Tim Brooke-Taylor (actor); Peter Jay (journalist), George Leigh Mallory (mountaineer); Douglas Jardine, Nawab of Pataudi (cricketers); Max Woosnam (sportsman); Nicholas Monsarrat, Sir Alan (P) Herbert (writers); John Sparrow (academic); John Snagge (BBC); Lord (Kenneth) Clark (art historian); Lord Wilberforce (law lord)