For over 500 years, our school has been preparing pupils for the most prestigious universities in the world. We were founded in 1480 by William Waynflete as part of Magdalen College, Oxford University, with the aim of inspiring in all pupils a desire to learn, flourish and serve.

 

Welcome from the Master

MCS was founded with the aim of giving pupils the best possible education, with our Founder, William of Waynflete, wishing the school to be open to talented pupils whomsoever they might be. Today, we are continuing our founder’s journey by taking our transformative education abroad to benefit pupils both in the UK and overseas. We look forward to working with partners of a similar mind and ambition to inspire young people to flourish in life by flourishing in our schools.

Helen Pike, Master

 

“With its terrifically privileged position at the heart of one of the world’s leading universities, and a magic connection to the Oxford college with which it shares its name, this is the school to come to for an extraordinarily superb education.”

Talk Education

About the school

Today, we are a leading selective independent day school, regularly ranked amongst the top in the country. We remain committed to our Founder’s legacy: our Community Service Organisation is now in its fifth successful decade; one in ten of our pupils receive financial assistance with their fees. Our commitment to partnerships and social mobility has been recognised in prestigious industry awards.

Shortlisted: Tes School Awards 2024, The Tim Brighouse Community Engagement Initiative of the Year

Winner: Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2024, Contribution to Social Mobility

We are proud of our pupils’ exceptional academic achievements. Each year, more than 55% of GCSE grades are Grade 9, and over 80% are Grades 9-8. While at A Level, around 45% of grades are A*, and almost 85% A*-A. Our unique Waynflete Studies programme offers Sixth Form pupils a taste of undergraduate life, as they complete an extended project of rigorous research, typically under the guidance of an external university tutor. Approximately 25% of pupils progress to Oxford and Cambridge Universities – alongside other prestigious universities here and abroad.

“Senior school pupils reach high levels of attainment in public examinations.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate

Beyond the classroom

While academic achievement is the bedrock of our success, an MCS education is about so much more. From ancient history to animation; charity to chess; Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to drone club, we offer over 60 activities each week. Each year, pupils stage 14 annual theatre productions, ranging from Greek tragedies and Shakespeare plays to West End musicals; and 70 music concerts, in a host of genres. We continue to educate the choristers of Magdalen College – a tradition dating back over half a millennium. More than 90% of pupils represent the school in competitive fixtures in a typical year, and current and former pupils perform at regional and national levels including in rugby, cricket, badminton and rowing.

“… for most pupils a clutch of A*s will prove to be but one among the many lifelong benefits of learning here. A powerful place in which intellectual curiosity, creativity and individuality all flourish in the pursuit of excellence.”

The Good Schools Guide

Empowering pupils, inspiring success

This holistic education, underpinned by excellent pastoral care and an environment founded on compassion and respect, ensures that MCS pupils flourish and go on to enjoy success in many different careers and walks of life. Now well into our sixth century, our former pupils include scholars, war heroes, musicians, Olympians, Nobel Prize laureates, a Hollywood film director and a saint.

 

“MCS combines a superb and consistent academic record with outstanding pastoral care and numerous opportunities for a wide variety of extra-curricular activities in sports, music, art and drama.”

The Good Schools Guide

Expanding our reach and impact

Our family of schools is growing and we look forward to exploring new partnerships with organisations which share our ethos and values. If you are interested in partnering with us, please get in touch:

Dr Tangjie Ward, International Director
tward@mcsoxford.org
+44 (0)1865 242191

 

 

International Partners

Sunway Education Group

Since spring 2025 we have enjoyed a partnership with Sunway Education Group (SEG) – part of the largest education-focused social enterprise in Malaysia, which successfully educates some 30,000 students at its university, college and schools across the region.

As a first venture through the partnership, we will be offering support to SEG’s existing Sunway City International School, Kuala Lumpur. The school will continue to be owned and operated by SEG, with a curriculum shaped and supported by us. We will work closely with the school on key leadership appointments and key staff will undergo training here in Oxford, to foster a cohesive educational philosophy and high standards of teaching – with further opportunities to collaborate on educational projects. Our own teachers will conduct annual inspections of the school, ensuring the consistency of quality in our educational delivery.

”Working with SEG provides an opportunity for both institutions to foster a global mindset in our pupils, and to offer staff the opportunity to develop their careers within a wider pool of perspectives and expertise.” Helen Pike, Master

 

Canadian International Educational Group

In summer 2025 we formed a partnership with Canadian International Educational Group (CIEO) to support them to establish a new school in Bangkok. Through the partnership, we will support CIEO with advice on the curriculum, ethos, policies and procedures for the new school – which, once established, will be owned and operated by them and called Magdalen College School Oxford International-Bangkok. We will also offer support on design to ensure the completed campus provides a premium learning environment for future pupils. The partnership will encompass opportunities for training, mentoring and collaborations on a range of projects.

“We look forward to working with the team at CIEO on the launch of its new school in Bangkok – with the potential for further schools in Thailand, as the partnership develops. The partnership offers exciting opportunities for MCS colleagues to enrich their experience through new perspectives, to add another global dimension to what we offer pupils here in Oxford, and for us to sustain and develop our strategic ambitions.” Helen Pike, Master

CIEO includes 24 educational institutions and companies including kindergartens, bilingual schools, international schools and educational technology companies. Currently CIEO serves approximately 10,000 students and employs 2,300 staff members.

 

Mustardseed Junior School

Mustardseed Junior School is our international partner primary school in Sentema, Uganda. Having first opened in January 2022, MCS pupils and staff have been involved from the start: raising funds which are generously matched by a distinguished Old Waynflete. Shared educational goals lie at the heart of our partnership. Mustardseed’s motto is ‘Start Small Grow Great,’ and we are proud to be part of that growth.

“It is astonishing to think that … we have a partner primary school in the rural outskirts of Kampala.  I look forward to MCS staff, pupils and parents visiting it, and to the opportunities for learning that this project brings us” Helen Pike, Master

Over £200,000 has been raised by MCS pupils for Mustardseed School since 2019.

Vacancies

Job roles in our partner schools offer exciting development opportunities. Vacancies will be posted here when available.