Winchester College
Winchester College is a co-educational senior independent boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18.
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Our take
Independent boys senior school in Hampshire for ages 13–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
- Families seeking a senior school for ages 13–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
- Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
- Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
- Families comfortable with top-tier London independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
- Fees sit at the top of the London market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
- SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
- Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
About the head
“Manners makyth man”
Founded with a vision that original thinking and potential should not be limited by circumstance, Winchester College fosters intellectual freedom, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Distinctive features
Div non-examined curriculum
longest continuous history of any English school
full boarding for boys 13-18
co-ed Sixth Form day and boarding
black gown tradition for Scholars
extensive bursary and scholarship programmes
Wykeham Links career networking
Activities & co-curricular
sport
music
drama
academic club
service
other
Facilities
sports
arts
boarding
academic
wellbeing
Latest exam results
In 2025, and , with 39 Oxbridge offers and 47 offers at leading US universities including 9 Ivy League
Where leavers go
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 157 | 150 | 140 | 140 | 130 |
| Oxbridge | 39 | 37 | 24 | 15 | 35 |
| US Ivy | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | — |
Recent coverage
Winchester College opens its first girls boarding houses in September 2026, a historic milestone after 644 years as an all-boys school. Two new Passivhaus-standard boarding houses designed by Stanton Williams and built by Gilbert-Ash at a cost of £39m will accommodate up to 120 sixth-form boarders. Headmaster Elizabeth Stone, appointed in 2023 from Queenwood School Sydney, is overseeing the co-education transition. In 2024 A-levels, 75% of grades were A*/A, while 93% of GCSEs were 9-7. University destinations for 2024-25 included 39 Oxbridge offers and 47 US offers featuring 9 Ivy League places including Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Dartmouth. The college also appointed Katherine Cole as housemistress of the first girls boarding house.
Notable alumni
Open-day dates not yet published
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How well does Winchester College match?
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Check fit for my childApplication timeline
No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.
| Year | Opens | Closes | Reply by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 1 May 2024 | 15 Oct 2025 | TBC | Closed |
Open events
Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.
Fees
Bursaries & Scholarships
House system
Pupils are organised into houses for pastoral and competitive life.
Wellbeing
Winchester College provides a strong pastoral care system with each pupil supported by a Housemaster/Housemistress, tutors, a matron, and a paediatric nurse. The Health and Wellbeing Centre, staffed 24/7 by paediatric nurses, offers medical care and specialist clinics including asthma, allergy, and ADHD support.
Inspection
Isi — 1 Mar 2026
One inspection report on file. Worth reading before booking a visit — covers safeguarding, leadership and overall standard.
Term dates 2025-26
Feeder schools
Schools like Winchester College
Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Questions parents ask
Common questions about Winchester College, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.
What kind of child is Winchester College best for?+
Independent boys senior school in Hampshire for ages 13–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
How does admissions work?+
Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.
Are fees published?+
Yes — see the Fees table further down the page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.
Does the school support SEND?+
Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.
Are there open days?+
11 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.
How do I contact admissions?+
phone on 01962 621247 or the registrars listed in the contact card. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.
What similar schools should I compare?+
We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to Winchester College — see the "Schools like Winchester College" grid below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Reviews
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