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.
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.
Whilst this year we may face a May unlike any other, MCS remains robust, ebullient and welcoming in the face of adversity. The virtual May Day experiences, MCS Jazz soirees (tomorrow 19:00- tune in!), and Hardship Bursary fundraising all offer a chance to get involved as the MCS Community remains connected and creative at these most difficult of times.
More news awaits you below.
Virtual May Morning
With Oxford’s traditional May Day festivities cancelled, MCS and Magdalen College have teamed up to bring you the first virtual May morning experience.
Join the choristers and Lay Clerks at 6am this Friday (tomorrow) morning as they broadcast Madrigals and songs from their own homes, singing as a choir.
The experience will be broadcast from the choir’s Facebook page, on which you can also find videos and content relating to the creation of this unique performance.
Thank you to our Key Workers
This week’s #ThankYouFromMCS goes to Ambassador Matt Field, British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (OW 1995 and former Head of School), who is providing assistance to British Nationals in the Balkans at this time.
Read Matt’s article on his work with the Foreign Office during the Pandemic here.
Rose Hill Community Larder
The Rose Hill Community Larder is coordinated through a proud partnership between OW Richard Kennell (OW 1986) and MCS. The Pandemic has had an enormous impact on food poverty in Oxford, and the Larder is a much-valued resource providing surplus food to those who most need it.
As the SOFEA Community Larder CEO, Richard comments here on how the organisation has been handling the Covid-19 crisis.
Virtual Chapel
(The Chavasse brothers look forward to May Day 1902, when “Oxford’s sons climb Magdalen Tower/ To greet thee at the sunrise hour”)
Reverend Wealands Bell, school Chaplain, addresses the school community about the Pandemic, and the difficulties faced by people across society.
Throwback Thursday
In keeping with the May Day theme, this week we throw back to a 1943 wartime May Day. Here an account from a second-former describes how the Cherwell was so full of boats on May Morning that you could cross the river without falling in!
Hardship and Bursary Fundraising
With a virtual Trinity Term underway, we are starting to get a picture of the current MCS families who are facing hardship. The School has reduced fees by 15% for Trinity Term in recognition of the challenges that the current situation presents to parents.
This term the Master is donating 15% of her salary (while the school remains part-closed to the hardship and bursary fund), and we have asked parents to do the same if they are able to. We are delighted that parents have already begun to respond with their usual supportiveness, with at least £25,000 already raised through their generosity. We are also grateful to OWs who have helped us build a fund of £80,000 to address hardship which will also be used immediately to support pupils.
It is of course likely that this will not be a short term problem for our current families, and we may lose pupils who would otherwise have applied to us. Bursaries will be the main focus of our fundraising in the months and years to come.
If you can help, you can make a gift through the website, or contact Susie Baker in the Waynflete Office.
Mr Cooper’s 1 minute homemade facemask
Mr C gives a lesson in how to make a DIY no-sew facemask from old shirt cuffs, inspired by his wife Mary – who spent 43 years working as a nurse in the NHS – and her sewing skills.
“Be warned, this summer’s fashion statement will be a shirt with matching mask – get ahead of the trend!”
And finally…
Current U6 music student Kevin gives a 100% cello, 100% homemade version of ’80s classic ‘Take on Me’ by a-ha. Enjoy!
MCS is putting together a virtual Jazz evening tomorrow (Friday 1st May 19:00- 20:00). Watch live on the MCS Music youtube channel as Mr Cullen, along with students and staff, presents an hour of creative content, MCS-style.
Keeping in Touch
As always, we are thinking of you and endeavour to help you feel connected to the school during this unprecedented time.
If you would like to organise a virtual reunion, or reach out to long lost school friends, please let us know via email. The MCS Strava group is also serving to keep members of the MCS community healthy, connected and motivated.
We particularly look forward to receiving your notes for the Pandemic Papers. Keep us posted via social media, by telephone (07501 373933) and email: waynfleteoffice@mcsoxford.org.
In the meantime, we wish you good health. Our gratitude always goes to members of our community who are on the frontlines of this pandemic, helping to keep the country going.
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024, placed seventh nationally and third in the Southeast.
MCS ranks among the top independent secondary schools in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024, placed seventh nationally and third in the Southeast.
28 of our pupils achieved 10 or more 8 or 9 grades in 2024.
Your donations contribute over £150,000 a year to bursaries as well as building an endowment to fund bursaries for the future.
28 of our pupils achieved 10 or more 8 or 9 grades in 2024.
Your donations contribute over £150,000 a year to bursaries as well as building an 
