MCS Benefactors’ Reception – a celebration of support

On Saturday evening, we celebrated the support of our MCS community at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. It was a truly special occasion and brought together Old Waynfletes, parents, and Friends of the school whose generosity continues to secure the future of MCS. Guests enjoyed gathering in one of our city’s most iconic spaces, made all the more memorable by the rare opportunity to view its dazzling displays after hours.

The Master, Helen Pike, with event guest speaker Bill Morris (OW 1963)

In her address to guests, the Master, Helen Pike, shared a landmark announcement: the MCS bursary endowment has now reached an extraordinary £10.6 million – over two-thirds of the way to our £15 million target by 2030, the year of MCS’s 550th anniversary. This endowment is more than a financial milestone; it is a lifeline for bright pupils whose potential deserves to be unlocked, regardless of their financial background.

Helen Pike said: “Every single penny that you give is more than worthwhile. Every moment of time that you volunteer. Thank you, now and in the future.”

The evening also celebrated the success of the 2025 MCS Telethon, which raised over £200,000 for current pupil bursaries. Among the guests at the reception were three of our young Old Waynflete Telethon Callers – Tom Farrant (2021), Emily Shelley (2024), and Kaylan Parekh (2025) – who were delighted to meet Bill Morris (OW 1963), Chair of the Old Waynfletes.

Bill attended MCS from 1956 to 1963 on a Direct Grant scholarship. His stalwart support of the school has been honoured through the naming of an endowed bursary in perpetuity at MCS – the ‘Bill Morris Bursary’. A commemorative certificate was presented to Bill at the reception following his heartfelt speech in which he noted the importance of ensuring that bursary funds are always available to ensure that future pupils can have access to an outstanding MCS education, as he did.

In light of the impact of VAT on independent school fees, the importance of our bursary fundraising has never been clearer. The evening emphasised how vital it is to safeguard access to an MCS education for generations to come.

It was also a clear illustration of the MCS community and the shared commitment to unlocking potential through education. For those who missed it, the evening was a testament to what makes MCS so special and why being part of its future is an opportunity not to be missed.

To learn more about supporting bursaries at MCS, please visit this page or contact the Waynflete Office.