It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Magdalen College School and to our website.

Magdalen is a large single academy trust providing an excellent education to students from 11 to 18. We currently teach around 1450 young people and employ over 150 members of staff. It is these people who are at the heart of our school; we come together every day for ‘the common good’. It is our ambition to make sure we are ’the school of choice’ for students, parents, families, employers and colleagues.

On the pages of this website you will find information about our ‘Academic’ and ‘Personal Development’ curriculums. Every student is entitled to experience the full breadth and depth of learning during their time with us. We want every student to achieve their best, and we value that ‘best’ whatever it may be. We work hard to know every young person as well as we can: form tutors are key people in this work along with our Leaders of Learning and Pastoral Support Assistants. We value and sustain positive relationships with parents, carers and families. 

As an inclusive school we provide additional support to young people to ensure they get the full benefit from their education. We believe in the right of every student to access lessons taught by subject specialists and to play a full part in the life of the school. We recognise the importance of life beyond the classroom through enrichment clubs, sports teams, performing arts and visits across the UK and abroad. We are rightly proud of our exceptional success in preparing students for their next steps when they move on from us: in employment; training; personal development; further, and higher education.  

You will find us accommodated over two sites in Brackley, around a quarter of a mile apart. Our ‘St John’s’ site is in the heart of the picturesque High Street and boasts our school chapel, still in use today with its 12th Century doorway and striking stained glass window. Our school was founded on this site in 1548 - we’re proud to be celebrating our 475th anniversary this academic year. A short walk up Hill Street takes you to our larger ‘Waynflete’ site. Our extensive modern buildings here provide specialist spaces for all subjects and increasingly pleasant social spaces for students. 

We serve the community of Brackley and the surrounding villages in the southwest corner of Northamptonshire, close to the border with both Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Brackley is a market town boasting a long history with links to Magna Carta, established wool and lace trades, and more recently at the heart of Formula 1 as the home of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. Transport connections are excellent with Brackley sitting between the M40 and M1 motorways. Train connections from Banbury, Bicester, Milton Keynes and Northampton are all easily accessible, and housing continues to be developing in Brackley, in beautiful local villages or in larger towns and cities with 30 to 45 minutes commuting time. 

If you are considering joining our community as a student, parent, colleague or volunteer then we recommend a visit to see us at work. The people make our school, so please do come and see us.

I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you in person.

Tom Hollis
Headteacher