A prestigious educational institution with direct links to Oxford University has provoked significant controversy after former pupils revealed the school had disposed of its entire library collection.
Library books discarded in skip
Magdalen College School in Brackley, Northamptonshire – one of just three associate schools of Oxford University – has been accused of throwing away all books from its library, placing them in a skip as part of what appears to be a digital transition.
Former pupil Oliver Lewis, who attended the school between 1998 and 2005 and later became a Reform UK parliamentary candidate, described discovering the empty library during a recent visit to assist with interviews day.
'I walked into the VI Form Centre and my immediate reaction was, "Wow this feels spacious - where did all the books go?"' Mr Lewis recalled. 'I was told by a staff member: "Oh, we don't need books anymore - everything's online now."'
Academic expresses dismay
Mr Lewis, an academic specialising in UK Public Policy Failure, expressed particular concern about the decision's educational implications.
'The library was actually quite good and comprehensive - I'd donated many books to it in the past, for the economics, history and politics sections,' he said. 'The idea "we don't need books anymore" is for the fairies - certainly in my subjects for study at advanced level.'
He questioned how such a decision would prepare students for higher education, asking: 'What are high-achieving pupils expected to do when they arrive at, for example, the LSE - as I did from Magdalen - and have books thrown at them by the tonne?'
School in special measures
The controversy emerges against a backdrop of serious educational concerns at the institution. Magdalen College School was placed in special measures by Ofsted in June last year following a critical inspection that found the school had 'failed to provide pupils with an acceptable standard of education'.
In a follow-up assessment last October, Ofsted inspector Jayne Ashman determined that leaders had 'made insufficient progress to improve the school' and strongly recommended against appointing early-career teachers.
The inspector noted particular concerns about safeguarding arrangements, stating they were 'still not effective' despite the implementation of a new visitor-management system across school sites.
Curriculum concerns highlighted
Ms Ashman's report identified fundamental issues with educational delivery at the school, noting: 'Staff do not have accurate information about pupils’ starting points, learning gaps or the ambitious curriculum end points that they can achieve.'
She added: 'As a result, pupils' learning needs are not successfully addressed. This has led to significant underachievement and is an issue that must be addressed at pace.'
Broader educational context
Magdalen College School, Brackley, originally established in 1548, transitioned from grammar school status to become a comprehensive institution in 1973 following a merger with two neighbouring schools. The school later adopted academy status approximately forty years after this transformation.
Mr Lewis framed the school's difficulties within wider debates about comprehensive education reforms that began in the 1960s, including restrictions on grammar schools.
'If a school like Magdalen, with sponsorship from an Oxford college which makes it unique as a state school in the UK, can't make comprehensive education work, what hope for the rest?' he questioned.
Former pupils include notable figures
The school counts several distinguished individuals among its alumni, including Asda chairman and former Royal Mail non-executive chairman Allan Leighton, and the Right Reverend Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield.
Mr Lewis described the current state of one of the school's two sites as an 'embarrassing mess', citing 'hedges uncut, trees unpollarded, brambles growing everywhere' as visible signs of decline.
School's response and commitment
Following Ofsted's initial ruling last June, the school issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the findings.
'We fully accept Ofsted's findings and understand the seriousness of the issues raised,' the statement read. 'While this is a disappointing outcome for our school community, it is also an opportunity for deep reflection and renewed focus.'
The school added: 'Our students deserve the very best, and we are absolutely committed to transforming the school and delivering the high quality education every child deserves.'
The Daily Mail approached Magdalen College School for comment regarding the library disposal allegations and was informed the headmaster was unavailable but could respond at a later time.
The two other educational institutions affiliated with Oxford University's Magdalen College are Magdalen College School in Oxford and Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire, creating a distinctive educational network with varying fortunes across its constituent schools.
