Welcome to our community
A very warm welcome to Magdalen College School Oxford. We were founded in 1480 as an academically ambitious school where children of all backgrounds could learn, flourish and serve – a legacy which continues to this day. MCS is a joyful place, where everyone finds their niche.
LSE professor praises pupils’ “impressive” new economics journal
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Sixth Form Open Event
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It's a kind, warm school with a strong sense of community. Alongside excellent academics, it nurtures confidence, curiosity, and independent thinking. He's truly thriving here.Parent
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... Your inquisitive, bright-as-a-button son or daughter will have a ball at this glorious school.
Becoming fully
co-educational
learn more
What makes usremarkable?
Inspiring teaching
From the Junior School to the Sixth Form, our academic style reflects the calibre and curiosity of our cohort. We select our teachers with exceptional care, ensuring every classroom is led by expertise and passion. Lessons fizz with discussion, and move at a pace designed to stretch and inspire.
our aims & ethos
From College to community
Once a department of Magdalen College, we remain a strongly collegial community and we are proud of our reputation as a happy school where children thrive. Ours is a diverse and inclusive community - connected to our neighbours through a myriad of partnerships. We are committed to making an MCS education possible for academically able children in our local area and offer generous help with fees.
explore pastoral care“We had heard about the excellent pastoral care offered by the team at MCS and we have certainly not been disappointed.”
Nurturing all
round distinction
Academic success is the foundation of life here, but an MCS education is about so much more. School days are busy, varied and full of opportunity. From the stage to the sports field and countless clubs in between, pupils are encouraged to get stuck in, try something new and discover what they love. It’s a happy place, where enthusiasm is infectious and everyone is encouraged to take part.
discover life beyond the classroomWhat makes usremarkable?
Inspiring teaching
From the Junior School to the Sixth Form, our academic style reflects the calibre and curiosity of our cohort. We select our teachers with exceptional care, ensuring every classroom is led by expertise and passion. Lessons fizz with discussion, and move at a pace designed to stretch and inspire.
our aims & ethos
From College to community
Once a department of Magdalen College, we remain a strongly collegial community and we are proud of our reputation as a happy school where children thrive. Ours is a diverse and inclusive community - connected to our neighbours through a myriad of partnerships. We are committed to making an MCS education possible for academically able children in our local area and offer generous help with fees.
explore pastoral care“We had heard about the excellent pastoral care offered by the team at MCS and we have certainly not been disappointed.”
Nurturing all
round distinction
Academic success is the foundation of life here, but an MCS education is about so much more. School days are busy, varied and full of opportunity. From the stage to the sports field and countless clubs in between, pupils are encouraged to get stuck in, try something new and discover what they love. It’s a happy place, where enthusiasm is infectious and everyone is encouraged to take part.
discover life beyond the classroom
MCS in numbers
Winner 2025
Independent Schools of the Year Award For Social Mobility
of pupils play in competitive fixtures
Examination
results 2025
pupil volunteer hours last year across 140+ partnerships
Top 20 Independent School and Top School, Oxfordshire
of Senior School pupils receives help with fees
different music ensembles
Drama productions involving 300+ pupils each year
Discover inspiring Old Waynfletes
James Coles (OW 2022)
Professional cricketerProfessional cricketer
James is a professional cricketer for Sussex CCC and London Spirit, and one of the most exciting young talents in English cricket.
He became Sussex’s youngest-ever first-class debutant at 16 and went on to establish himself as a leading all-round performer for England Lions. In 2026 he was signed by London Spirit for a record £390,000 in The Hundred.
Becca Brooks (OW 2012)
Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence
Dedicated to public service, Becca’s career has been shaped by roles within education and the UK Government.
After qualifying through Teach First, she spent a number of years teaching at a London preparatory school alongside work as a school governor.
She currently works within the Ministry of Defence, where she has been a Senior Policy Adviser in the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge – providing strategic analysis and advice to inform ministerial decision-making – and is now Assistant Head, Policy Profession.
Jonathan Knowles (OW 1966)
Global opinion leader in the field of personalised medicineGlobal opinion leader in the field of personalised medicine
Jonathan has a distinguished career spanning pharmaceutical research, academia, and biotechnology leadership, and is a global opinion leader in the field of personalised medicine.
He is former Head of Group Research and Executive Committee member at Roche, and is founding chairman of the Innovative Medicines Initiative, a partnership between the EU and the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate the development of more effective medicines through collaborative research.
Georgie Merson (OW 2011)
Managing Director at BlackRockManaging Director at BlackRock
Georgie is a Managing Director and Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at BlackRock, where she has risen through the ranks since starting as an Analyst in 2014.
In her current role she oversees European credit strategies and is widely respected for her market insight, regularly being cited in financial commentary on macroeconomic and sector risk.
Joe Pike (OW 2006)
Senior Correspondent for BBC PoliticsSenior Correspondent for BBC Politics
Having previously held political correspondent roles at Sky News and ITV, Joe now serves as a Senior Correspondent for BBC Politics where he reports with deep investigations into UK government and Westminster affairs.
In 2015 he authored the critically acclaimed Project Fear, which examines how the maligned but victorious ‘No’ campaign of Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum paved the way for a later Scottish National Party surge.
Yana Yarmolich (OW 2018)
Software Engineer at AppleSoftware Engineer at Apple
After completing a Computer Science degree at UC Berkeley, Yana began a career with Apple as a Software Engineer in Sunnyvale, California.
Her work spans some of Apple’s most security‑critical systems, from detecting leaked credentials to privacy protections and large-language-model powered anti-phishing within Safari.
Sam Mendes (OW 1983)
Academy Award–winning DirectorAcademy Award–winning Director
Sam transitioned into film with American Beauty in 1999 and has since directed notable films including Road to Perdition, Skyfall, Spectre, and 1917. His work on Broadway earned him two Tony Awards for the acclaimed productions of The Ferryman and The Lehman Trilogy.
More recently, he produced the Academy-Award nominated film Hamnet, and is currently developing a landmark series of four interconnected films based on the lives of each member of The Beatles.
—
Photo by Frankie Fouganthin / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nick Baker (OW 1992)
Co-founder and CEO of UK PadelCo-founder and CEO of UK Padel
Nick is Co-founder and CEO of UK Padel, the country’s leading padel club and tournament organiser which is driving rapid growth in the sport.
Before this, he spent 25 years in the City and co-founded Alpha Financial Markets Consulting – the world’s leading asset and wealth management consulting firm – leading it through a highly successful IPO.
He is also an active angel investor, supporting early-stage businesses across a range of sectors.
James Coles (OW 2022)
Professional cricketerProfessional cricketer
James is a professional cricketer for Sussex CCC and London Spirit, and one of the most exciting young talents in English cricket.
He became Sussex’s youngest-ever first-class debutant at 16 and went on to establish himself as a leading all-round performer for England Lions. In 2026 he was signed by London Spirit for a record £390,000 in The Hundred.
Becca Brooks (OW 2012)
Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence
Dedicated to public service, Becca’s career has been shaped by roles within education and the UK Government.
After qualifying through Teach First, she spent a number of years teaching at a London preparatory school alongside work as a school governor.
She currently works within the Ministry of Defence, where she has been a Senior Policy Adviser in the Secretary of State’s Office of Net Assessment and Challenge – providing strategic analysis and advice to inform ministerial decision-making – and is now Assistant Head, Policy Profession.
Jonathan Knowles (OW 1966)
Global opinion leader in the field of personalised medicineGlobal opinion leader in the field of personalised medicine
Jonathan has a distinguished career spanning pharmaceutical research, academia, and biotechnology leadership, and is a global opinion leader in the field of personalised medicine.
He is former Head of Group Research and Executive Committee member at Roche, and is founding chairman of the Innovative Medicines Initiative, a partnership between the EU and the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate the development of more effective medicines through collaborative research.
Georgie Merson (OW 2011)
Managing Director at BlackRockManaging Director at BlackRock
Georgie is a Managing Director and Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at BlackRock, where she has risen through the ranks since starting as an Analyst in 2014.
In her current role she oversees European credit strategies and is widely respected for her market insight, regularly being cited in financial commentary on macroeconomic and sector risk.
Joe Pike (OW 2006)
Senior Correspondent for BBC PoliticsSenior Correspondent for BBC Politics
Having previously held political correspondent roles at Sky News and ITV, Joe now serves as a Senior Correspondent for BBC Politics where he reports with deep investigations into UK government and Westminster affairs.
In 2015 he authored the critically acclaimed Project Fear, which examines how the maligned but victorious ‘No’ campaign of Scotland’s 2014 independence referendum paved the way for a later Scottish National Party surge.
Yana Yarmolich (OW 2018)
Software Engineer at AppleSoftware Engineer at Apple
After completing a Computer Science degree at UC Berkeley, Yana began a career with Apple as a Software Engineer in Sunnyvale, California.
Her work spans some of Apple’s most security‑critical systems, from detecting leaked credentials to privacy protections and large-language-model powered anti-phishing within Safari.
Sam Mendes (OW 1983)
Academy Award–winning DirectorAcademy Award–winning Director
Sam transitioned into film with American Beauty in 1999 and has since directed notable films including Road to Perdition, Skyfall, Spectre, and 1917. His work on Broadway earned him two Tony Awards for the acclaimed productions of The Ferryman and The Lehman Trilogy.
More recently, he produced the Academy-Award nominated film Hamnet, and is currently developing a landmark series of four interconnected films based on the lives of each member of The Beatles.
—
Photo by Frankie Fouganthin / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nick Baker (OW 1992)
Co-founder and CEO of UK PadelCo-founder and CEO of UK Padel
Nick is Co-founder and CEO of UK Padel, the country’s leading padel club and tournament organiser which is driving rapid growth in the sport.
Before this, he spent 25 years in the City and co-founded Alpha Financial Markets Consulting – the world’s leading asset and wealth management consulting firm – leading it through a highly successful IPO.
He is also an active angel investor, supporting early-stage businesses across a range of sectors.
