winchester college is a well-known boys' school. it is an example of a british public school. the school is located in the city of winchester in hampshire, england. its official name is collegium sanctae mariae prope wintoniam (or collegium beatae mariae wintoniensis prope winton), or st mary's college near winchester. the school is commonly just called "winchester". winchester has existed for over six hundred years. it has the longest unbroken history of any school in england. it is the oldest of the original nine english public schools as defined by the public schools act 1868. 37% of students go to cambridge or oxford.