- About MCS
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools, and in 2024 was awarded Independent School of the Year for our contribution to social mobility. - Admissions
Approximately 1 in 10 pupils receive a bursary or scholarship. We are committed to ensuring an MCS education is open to the brightest pupils, no matter their personal circumstances.
- Supporting MCS
In 2024-25, MCS received over £1.2 million in donated funds.
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools, and in 2024 was awarded Independent School of the Year for our contribution to social mobility.
In 2024-25, MCS received over £1.2 million in donated funds.- Junior School
“The Junior School is a very busy and happy school and here, a smile goes a long way.”
- Senior School
“His experience at MCS has been extraordinary.” – Senior School parent
- Sixth Form
About a quarter of our Sixth Form pupils take up places at Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League Universities.
“His experience at MCS has been extraordinary.” – Senior School parent
- About MCS
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools, and in 2024 was awarded Independent School of the Year for our contribution to social mobility.
- Admissions
Approximately 1 in 10 pupils receive a bursary or scholarship. We are committed to ensuring an MCS education is open to the brightest pupils, no matter their personal circumstances.
- Supporting MCS
In 2024-25, MCS received over £1.2 million in donated funds.
- Junior School
“The Junior School is a very busy and happy school and here, a smile goes a long way.”
- Senior School
“His experience at MCS has been extraordinary.” – Senior School parent
- Sixth Form
About a quarter of our Sixth Form pupils take up places at Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League Universities.
Archives
Founded in 1480, Magdalen College School (MCS) played an important part in the history of education. MCS became independent from Magdalen College, Oxford, in the 1980s.
The MCS Archive exists to collect and preserve records produced by the school, or relating to the school and its community.
The school’s heritage collections include:
- School copies of core administrative records from the 1960s
- Student admission registers, form lists and school diaries
- Photographs from 1860 – formal and candid
- Programmes from school events, school and student publications
- Ephemera: letters, reminiscences, oral histories
- Old Waynfletes’ (alumni) personal papers and effects
- Antiquarian books
- Objects: sporting trophies, uniform, school equipment
- Works of art
Explore our online archive catalogue. All our featured collections can be browsed by category.
Archive Service Accreditation
In March 2020, MCS became the first school archive in the United Kingdom to achieve the coveted kitemark of Archive Service Accreditation.
This is a national scheme, run by The National Archives, which recognises of the quality of the provision across all areas: collections care, cataloguing, access, engagement with stakeholders and governance.
The school’s earlier history remains entwined with that of its predecessor institution, Magdalen College, so you may need to direct your enquiry to both school and college.
MCS and Magdalen College Archive
Enquiries
Our Archivist, Isobel Cree, will undertake short pieces of research in the collections for those not able to access the Archive in person. Copies of records will be provided upon request.
To contact the MCS Archives, please email Isobel Cree: [email protected].
