Universities as we now think of them – secular, independent, degree-awarding institutes supporting teaching and research across a wide range of subjects – originated in mediaeval Europe. The oldest of them that still exist have continuous histories approaching one thousand years. Yet amongst those most ancient universities only Oxford and Cambridge are still considered to be world leaders.

Secular schools have a shorter history – Winchester College has the longest continuous operation at just under six hundred and fifty years. It, too, remains a leading educational institution.

In this talk I shall consider some of the factors underlying these successes. Do they have particular structures that have enabled them to stay at the top of their game? Might there be other intrinsic assets that have also contributed? Is there anything distinctive about the education that these places offer? In addition to drawing on publicly available materials I will give a first-hand account of my own route to Oxford via Winchester, and of the experience of academic life in these ancient survivors.