William of Wykeham (1324-1404) rose from unexceptional social origins to become Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England.
Owing his education to affluent Hampshire patrons, he applied his accumulated wealth to twin educational purposes: a university college (New College Oxford) and a school (Winchester College) to equip 70 scholars to serve a society devastated by the Black Death.
Wykeham’s personal motto, Manners Makyth Man, was radically progressive for its time. Not only for the use of English instead of Latin, but also for its meritocratic spirit, its proposal that we should be measured not by our birthright but by our personal qualities and achievements.
Those who work and live at both of Wykeham’s educational foundations inhabit beautiful and historic surroundings in which the highest standards of education have endured for over six hundred years.
Winchester maintains a rich tradition of historic ceremonies and events that continue to this day. These include commemorations like Founder’s Obit at Winchester Cathedral, the celebratory Domum event for leavers, and formal admissions for Scholars and Quiristers.
Annual gatherings such as Illuminã, Morning Hills, and Amicabilis Concordia foster community and mark significant moments in the school’s history. Ad Portas (pictured), the school’s highest honour, is reserved for distinguished guests and alumni.
These long-standing traditions reflect the school’s deep heritage and ongoing sense of identity.
Over the years, particular words and phrases have developed at Winchester. These are known as Notions. Some are very old in origin (from Latin, Middle English or Anglo-Saxon) and some have been absorbed from schoolboy slang. A selection of the most commonly used is given below:
With its own distinctive rules and traditions, Winchester College Football is deeply embedded in the school’s culture and identity, offering one of the most significant sporting experiences of a pupil’s time here.
Inclusive by nature, it is a test of character as much as skill – equipment can hinder rather than help, refereeing can be imperfect, and weather conditions often shape the match.
Pupils quickly learn resilience, teamwork, and the importance of perseverance. As many say, the team that wants it most usually wins.
When William of Wykeham founded Winchester College he made provision for 16 young boys under the age of 12 to sing in the Chapel.
The school has maintained this same choral foundation for more than 600 years and the Quiristers, or Qs as they are usually known, form a vital part of the school’s Chapel Choir.
The Headmaster welcomes all new Quiristers to the choir in a ceremony held in the school’s Chapel. At the same ceremony all Quiristers who have passed their probationary year are presented with a surplice (white choir robe).
