Winchester College
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

Winchester College is a day and boarding school situated in the cathedral city of Winchester, founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham. Almost all pupils are male boarders. Scholars board in the original school buildings, while other pupils, known as commoners, occupy a further ten boarding houses nearby. Since September 2022, a small number of male day pupils and sixth-form female day pupils have also been admitted, with dedicated accommodation available for the latter during the school day. The school aims to build an international reputation for academic excellence while offering the widest possible access to pupils who would benefit from the education it provides. It seeks to encourage and develop confident, enthusiastic and well-rounded young adults with a strong ethical sense, a respect for the life of the mind, and ease in their relationships with others. Most pupils come from business or professional families in London, the home counties and Hampshire, and the majority join from independent preparatory schools. The pupil body represents a diverse range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Standardised tests indicate that pupils' ability is well above average. The school supports pupils with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, as well as those who speak English as an additional language, and the curriculum is adapted for the most able pupils and for those with particular talents in music and sport.