- 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.
- Junior School
“The Junior School is a very busy and happy school and here, a smile goes a long way.”
- Senior School
28 of our pupils achieved 10 or more 8 or 9 grades in 2024. - Sixth Form
Over 25% of our Sixth Form pupils take up places at Oxford and Cambridge every year.
- Supporting MCS
In 2023-24 MCS received over £448,000 in donated funds. 70% was spent on bursaries, 17% on partnership activities and 13% on pupil activities.
- 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.
- Junior School
“The Junior School is a very busy and happy school and here, a smile goes a long way.”
- Senior School
28 of our pupils achieved 10 or more 8 or 9 grades in 2024.
- Sixth Form
Over 25% of our Sixth Form pupils take up places at Oxford and Cambridge every year.
- Supporting MCS
In 2023-24 MCS received over £448,000 in donated funds. 70% was spent on bursaries, 17% on partnership activities and 13% on pupil activities.
The Chairman of Governors of Magdalen College School, Tim Edwards, is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Helen Pike to succeed Dr Tim Hands as Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford from September 2016.
Ms Pike has enjoyed notable successes in her past three years as Head of South Hampstead High School, London where she has overseen a two-year £35 million major building project. Public exam results at A-Level and GCSE have improved significantly and the school was shortlisted for the Times Educational Supplement’s Outstanding Community Initiative Award in 2015 in recognition of its Maths and Sciences programmes with local primary schools. Helen was named as one of the ‘Ten Heads to Watch’ by The Good Schools Guide in June 2014.
Helen grew up in Preston, Lancashire, where she was educated at local schools, before studying Modern History at Christ Church, Oxford, and then Modern European History at the University of Michigan in the USA. After lecturing in Michigan and at the University of Warwick in England, Helen went on to teach at several leading independent schools: Westminster School (1998), City of London School for Boys (1998-2003), St Paul’s Boys, Barnes (Head of Politics, 2003-2009) and The Royal Grammar School, Guildford (Director of Studies, 2009-13).
Helen writes historical and political fiction and is a regular contributor to various newspapers and journals; she is a long-distance runner and is interested in music, cooking and travelling. Her partner is Professor George Garnett, currently Senior Proctor of the University of Oxford, and she has three step-children, two of whom have been educated at MCS.
Chairman Tim Edwards commented: ‘We are fortunate to have appointed such an outstanding candidate. Helen joins us with a wealth of experience from many prestigious schools, and we look forward to her further enhancing Magdalen’s position as one of the leading academic schools in the country. With step-children educated at MCS, Helen has personal insight into the school’s emphasis on pastoral care and outstanding extra-curricular provision.’
Helen Pike said: ‘It is an honour to be invited to lead this remarkable school, for which I already have great affection. I look forward to getting to know its staff, parents, Old Waynfletes – and above all, its pupils.
