Winchester College is a leading independent senior school in Hampshire, UK, set in beautiful, historic surroundings, and renowned for academic excellence. The school offers full boarding for boys in Years 9 to 13, with day girls and boys in the Sixth Form. This exciting new development is part of the school’s Vision for the 21st Century, which embodies a significant programme of change, and also includes increased bursary provision, broadening of the curriculum, and further investment in technologies and the school’s facilities. At Winchester there is a thriving culture of curiosity and exploration. Pupils are chosen for their ability to think; dons are selected for their enthusiasm, dedication and expertise. Put simply, inspiring teachers inspire learning.
Outside study time, pupils have a huge choice of extracurricular activities, clubs and societies within which to find like minds and fresh challenges. Whether broadening or intensifying their interests, Winchester pupils take part in a stimulating range of activities that enriches their studies and their school life, including politics, rock climbing, natural history, scuba diving, literature, CCF, charities and expeditions.
Div. Div is at the heart of a Winchester education, defining the liberal character of academic life at the school. Pupils engage in discussion and debate, and embrace the idea of learning for its own sake, unrestrained by any examination syllabus.
Div is multi-disciplinary in scope. In Years 9 to 11, it provides pupils with an introduction to the broad sweep of History, from classical times to the Early Modern period. It also encompasses English literature and language, the History of Science and Art, Religious Studies and PSHEE.
In the Sixth Form, each Div don determines the programme. The material selected for inclusion is equally likely to be artistic, literary, philosophical, political, sociological, art-historical, ethical, religious or musical.
Through this combination of disciplines, the school helps develop discriminating learners. Div helps pupils to think critically, to question and assimilate complex ideas, and to articulate their thoughts with clarity and confidence, both on paper and orally in front of their peers.
Academic. At Winchester College, academic expectations are high, and success is achieved through a genuine curiosity and love for learning. A Winchester education therefore combines cultural studies in Div with a conventional curriculum of examined subjects. Examined courses are taught by highly qualified subject specialists.
In addition to Div, pupils begin at Winchester in Year 9 studying Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French or German, Geography and Latin. They also study one of the following: Ancient Greek, Spanish, Russian or Chinese, and choose two subjects from Art, Design and Music.
GCSEs: Towards the end of Year 9, pupils express their preferences for GCSE study. The majority of pupils complete a minimum of nine GCSEs and IGCSEs (all graded 9–1). The compulsory subjects (in addition to Div) are English, Mathematics, Latin, French or German, and two or three Sciences. Pupils also choose from among the following to bring the total to nine: History, Geography, Ancient Greek, Art, Design, Music, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
A Levels: Pupils ordinarily study three A Level subjects and, to foster independence and responsibility, an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), alongside Div. Linear A Levels are complemented by the flexibility of the EPQ, where pupils are able to explore more deeply their cross-curricular research interests. The EPQ encourages pupils to develop first-class research skills, to synthesise information from a variety of differing sources, and to become accustomed to the demands of independent study.
Sixth Form. We believe that Sixth Form should be the most interesting, enriching and academically demanding years of school life. There is no better place to spend these years than within the motivated and supportive community of Winchester College.
Learning alongside like-minded individuals, Sixth Form pupils enjoy inspirational teaching in small classes with outstanding resources. Each year, pupils join us with the intellectual spark and curiosity to take advantage of everything Winchester has to offer, and leave with the drive and determination to give something back. Winchester provides an intellectually stimulating environment in which conversation and debate are encouraged, and individual scholarship is nurtured. Subject specialists stretch individuals well beyond A Level syllabuses, providing the perfect preparation for university.
Fees per term (2024-2025). £20,742 per term for boarding, £15,347 for day, including VAT.
Boarding. Boarding at Winchester offers an unmatched experience of focused learning and friendship. Discussions in class can continue in the house, instilling a lifelong love of debate. In consultation with parents and pupils, the school accommodates boarders with care, getting to know them first through a personal admissions process. There are approximately 60 boarders in each house.
Admissions. We spend time getting to know each prospective family during the admissions process. It is a unique system, focused on potential, not merely prior attainment. It is based substantially on interview and ensures that by the time a pupil joins Winchester, they will often have had a number of years to get to know us.
13+ (boys only). When your son reaches Year 4, attend one of our two Open Days or a weekly Registrar’s Tour. Registrar’s Tours will start in the summer term of Year 4. In Year 5, select from one of our two Open Days or a weekly Registrar’s Tour, then explore your choice of boarding house with a ‘Housemaster at Home’ visit, which introduces you to up to three Housemasters.
16+ (boarding boys only, day girls and boys). The dedicated Sixth Form Open Day is held in September or October each year. Examinations and interviews take place in November.
Scholarships and Exhibitions are awarded to pupils who successfully pass the Winchester College ‘Election’ for entry at 13+, a unique selection process involving written examinations and interviews.
Headmaster's Nominations may be awarded to pupils not previously offered a conditional place or Scholarship, but whose exam results are deemed strong enough.
Scholarships, Exhibitions or Headmaster’s Nominations do not carry a remission of school fees.
Music Scholarships and Exhibitions are available to any candidate who shows exceptional musical talent. Scholarships offer free tuition in two instruments (including singing) and Exhibitions offer free tuition in one instrument.
In addition, up to three Choral Scholarships and one Organ Scholarship are available for 16+ entrants. These carry free tuition in two instruments, one of which must be singing or the organ.
Sports Scholarships offer successful candidates at 13+ and 16+ specialist coaching sessions, regularly assessed strength and conditioning programmes, and a dedicated Sports Department tutor.
New Sixth Form scholarships for 2023 admission are available for Modern Languages, Classics and Entrepreneurship.
Bursaries. Winchester College is committed to maintaining the founder’s intention of offering an education to any pupil who would benefit from it, regardless of their financial circumstances. Awards range from 5–100% of the school fee and are means-tested.
The Wykeham Award is a dedicated bursary available for those pupils who join us in the Sixth Form and are currently studying at a UK state secondary school.
Charitable status. Winchester College is a Registered Charity, number 1139000. The objects of the charity are the advancement of education and activities connected therewith.
Governors & Staff:
Visitor: The Lord Bishop of Winchester
Warden: Sir Richard Stagg, KCMG
Sub-Warden: Mr Andrew Sykes, MA
Fellows:
Mr Robert Lee Allen, BSc, CA
The Hon Sir Stephen Cobb, Hon LLD
Mr David Goodhew, MA, FRSA
Prof Helen Higson, OBE, DL
Mr William Holland, BA, FCA
Mr Brian Li Man-Bun, JP, MA Cantab, MBA, FCA
Mrs Alison Mayne, MA, PGCE
Dr William Poole, MA, DPhil, FSA
Dr Magnus Ryan, MA, PhD
Mrs Laura Sanderson, MA, MPhil
Mr Roland Turnill, MA
Mr Miles Young, MA Oxon
Bursar and Secretary: P D Thakrar
Headmaster: Ms E A Stone
Alumni, Winchester College Society Director: A J C Normand, Donovan’s, 73 Kingsgate Street, Winchester SO23 9PE