Magdalen College School, Brackley, is an institution defined by its rare dual identity. Founded in 1447 by William of Waynflete, it shares a common heritage with its namesake in Oxford, yet it operates as a state-funded academy serving the local community. The school is physically split across two distinct sites in Brackley: the St John’s site, which houses the lower years and preserves the school’s medieval roots, and the Waynflete site, where older students and the sixth form are based.
The school is currently in a significant state of flux. In April 2025, Ofsted rated the school as Inadequate, citing serious concerns regarding pupil safety, behaviour, and the quality of education at Key Stage 4. This was followed by the departure of the previous head teacher, Tom Hollis, in October 2025. The school is currently under the leadership of an Executive Headteacher, Mr S Farar, supported by an Interim Executive Board (IEB) appointed to stabilize and turn around the school's performance.
The atmosphere at Magdalen is a contrast between its prestigious historical aesthetic and the modern challenges of a large comprehensive. The St John's site, still owned by Magdalen College, Oxford, provides a scenic and traditional backdrop for the younger years. However, recent external assessments have described a school that has struggled with its culture.
Inspectors in 2025 reported that expectations for pupil behaviour and academic success had fallen too low. While the school historically prided itself on a broad, inclusive community, recent years have seen issues with discriminatory language and inconsistent discipline. The current interim leadership is working to rebuild confidence among staff and parents, focusing on creating a safer and more respectful environment. Despite these challenges, the Sixth Form remains a more positive pocket of the school, where students often exhibit greater engagement and maturity.
The school's academic performance tells two different stories. At GCSE, results have been a point of concern. In the 2024 cycle, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.3, which sits in line with the England average of 45.9. However, its Progress 8 score of -0.25 indicates that pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are making less progress than their peers nationally. The school currently ranks 2,346th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), which places it in the middle 35% of schools (national typical band).
The Sixth Form, by contrast, demonstrates a higher standard of achievement. In 2024, 43.99% of A-level entries achieved grades A* to B. The school ranks 1,567th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). While this is the top ranking for a state secondary in the immediate Brackley area, it remains slightly below the England average for elite grade attainment (A*-B average: 47.2%).
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
43.99%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching quality is currently uneven across the phases. In the main school (Years 7 to 11), the 2025 inspection found that the curriculum was not being implemented effectively. Gaps in learning were often left unaddressed, and a lack of engagement in lessons sometimes led to disruption.
Conversely, Sixth Form teaching is a recognized strength. Staff in the post-16 phase have higher expectations and deliver the curriculum with greater expertise. As a result, students in the Sixth Form generally benefit from well-structured lessons and achieve well in their final examinations. The school offers a wide range of subjects, including traditional academic disciplines and more modern vocational options, reflecting its comprehensive intake.
Magdalen College School has a diverse range of leaver destinations, with a notable focus on both higher education and direct entry into the workforce.
In the 2023-2024 cohort, 52% of leavers progressed to university. Although the school has historic links to Oxford, Oxbridge offers are relatively rare in the state sector context; the 2024 data showed 3 applications to Oxford with no offers recorded. However, many students secure places at a variety of Russell Group and regional universities.
A significant 37% of leavers moved into employment, and 2% secured apprenticeships. This emphasis on practical next steps is supported by a dedicated sixth form pastoral team, though recent reviews have noted that the personal development programme for younger students requires more consistent implementation to be truly effective.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Admission to Magdalen College School is coordinated by West Northamptonshire Council. As the primary secondary provider for the town, the school is typically oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 284 applications for 204 places, representing a subscription proportion of 1.39.
The catchment area is extensive, encompassing Brackley and surrounding villages such as Aynho, Croughton, Helmdon, and Syresham. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and those attending contributory primary schools. Parents can use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered.
As a state-funded Academy, Magdalen College School, Brackley, does not charge tuition fees. It is entirely free to attend for students aged 11 to 18.
Families should be aware of standard associated costs common to state schools, such as:
Applications
284
Total received
Places Offered
204
Subscription Rate
1.4x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is currently an area of intense focus for the school’s new leadership. The 2025 Ofsted report highlighted that pupils did not always feel safe and that discriminatory language was too common. In response, the school has implemented a more rigorous safeguarding and behaviour policy.
The school uses a Year-based pastoral system, with Pastoral Support Assistants assigned to each year group to provide non-teaching support. Wellbeing initiatives, including mental health awareness and online safety, are part of the curriculum, but the Interim Executive Board is working to ensure these are delivered with greater consistency and impact across both sites.
Extracurricular life at Magdalen is varied, though participation has been impacted by the recent cultural challenges. The school continues to offer a range of sports, including rugby, netball, and football, making use of the playing fields at the Waynflete site.
The school’s proximity to the Silverstone circuit influences its STEM activities, with opportunities for students to engage in engineering-themed projects. In the arts, the school has a tradition of musical performance, utilizing the historic chapel at the St John's site for concerts. Drama remains a popular subject, with annual productions that bring together students from different year groups.
The school day runs from approximately 8:40 am to 3:15 pm. Because the school is split over two sites, students in Years 7 to 9 are generally based at St John's, while Years 10 to 13 are at Waynflete. Transport for students in outlying villages is provided by the local authority. There is no on-site parking for parents at either site, and the surrounding residential streets are often congested during drop-off and pick-up times.
Magdalen College School, Brackley, is a historic school currently facing its most challenging period in recent decades. While the Sixth Form continues to provide a strong education and the school's heritage remains a point of prestige, the failures in behaviour and safety for younger pupils are significant. It currently suits families who are comfortable with a school in a state of transition and who can engage closely with the interim leadership to ensure their child's needs are met.
Magdalen is currently rated Inadequate by Ofsted (April 2025) and is under interim leadership to address concerns regarding safety and behaviour. While the Sixth Form is considered strong, the main school requires significant improvement.
Applications are made through West Northamptonshire Council. The deadline for Year 7 applications is 31 October. The school is oversubscribed, so living within the catchment area is usually necessary to secure a place.
Yes, the school has a large Sixth Form based at the Waynflete site. In 2024, it was the top-ranked state provider in the area for A-level results, with nearly 44% of students achieving A*-B grades.
The St John’s site houses Years 7, 8, and 9 in a historic setting, while the Waynflete site is a more modern campus for Years 10, 11, and the Sixth Form.
According to the latest Ofsted monitoring, the school needs to improve pupil behaviour, ensure consistent physical safety on site, and address the use of discriminatory language among students.
Get in touch with the school directly
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