A 21st Century Vision

Key changes

Increasing Access

1. The admission of girls and day pupils into the Sixth Form.
2. A growth in the school’s bursary provision, with the initial objective of a 25% increase, to 150 pupils by 2024.
3. Expansion of the school’s online learning provision to provide greater opportunities for collaboration with the maintained sector. 

Modernising what we teach

A new emphasis on the global context and the forces which have shaped the modern world, and an increased emphasis on creativity, collaboration and innovation. 

Developing the school site

Improvements to our built and natural spaces with a focus on imaginative and sustainable design, pupil wellbeing and enhancing the individual character of each house community.  

Implementing the Vision

Warden, Sir Richard Stagg (Chair of Governors) commented, “We are determined that Winchester, which led the way when it was founded almost 640 years ago, continues to be a leader and influencer of great education on the modern global stage. These changes represent an exciting new phase in Winchester’s history, which will bring multiple benefits to current and future generations of Wykehamists.”

Headmaster, Dr Tim Hands, said: “Today’s announcements are the product of discussions over many years and I am delighted to take them forward. Our founder, William of Wykeham, was a philanthropist and visionary who revolutionised education, and it’s his tradition of looking ahead that we seek to continue.”

Building on the Foundations 

Winchester College was founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham. The school’s alumni include Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer), General Sir Nick Carter (Chief of the Defence Staff), George Nash MBE (Olympic Rower), David Thouless (The Nobel Prize in Physics 2016), Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (India’s Cricket Captain) and George Mallory (pioneering Everest mountaineer).

Winchester College currently supports 120 pupils on bursaries. Our initial objective is to increase that number to 150 pupils by 2024. A 25% increase on today. The school has circa. 700 pupils and plans to admit each year a minimum of 30 day pupils into the Sixth Form (of which approx. 50% will be girls) and up to 50 girl boarders.  Therefore over time, the school will be approx. 850 pupils, roughly the same as Rugby and Harrow, smaller than Sevenoaks, Oundle, Wellington and Eton. The number of boys boarding will remain the same.

The school intends to welcome day pupils (both boys and girls) into the Sixth Form no later than September 2022. We hope the first girl boarders will join us in 2024. 

Alumni, parents, staff, boys and future parents will be consulted on how best to implement the changes.