Magdalen College School, Oxford, was founded by William of Waynflete in 1480 as a grammar school. The School educates the Magdalen College Choristers who join at age 9 after taking Voice Trials held in October and March each year. A Choristership is worth half the tuition fee.
For all boys the main ages of entry are 9, 11, 13 or 16. Entry is academically competitive. At age 9 and 11 candidates (almost all from state schools) take tests in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. At age 13 candidates from independent preparatory schools take the Common Entrance examination, and candidates from state schools take tests in English, Maths, a modern language (usually French) and Verbal Reasoning. At age 16 entry depends on good GCSE results.
Over 90% of boys proceed to degree courses at universities. There is a very high standard in music, art and sport with many boys playing at County level. There are two school orchestras, each of about 40 boys, as well as the choral society, madrigal group, a jazz band and chamber groups. About 10 concerts a year are given, some formal, some informal.
A former Direct Grant school and subsequently in the Assisted Places Scheme, it remains the intention of the Governors to keep the School as open as possible to boys of good academic potential so that the school remains within the Grammar School tradition in which it was founded. Recent developments include a new Science Block (1991), the introduction of Technology (1992) and A-Level Business Studies (1994), a Junior Section for boys aged 9 to 11 in 1993 and new classrooms in 1996. New classrooms, a small lecture theatre, a Sixth Form Centre and a Careers Centre will be ready for use in September 1998.
Alumni - J B (John) Caird, producer of Les Miserables; Adam Lively, novelist; S A (Sam) Mendes, theatre producer, Donmar Warehouse; Professor Christopher Peacocke, Wayneflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy, Oxford; Nigel Starmer-Smith, BBC TV rugby correspondent; A W (Will) Wyatt, Managing Director, BBC TV; plus many senior businessmen, doctors and academics. There is a thriving old boys' association, the Old Waynfletes Association.
