Meet the Headmaster

Families Education Meet the Headmaster

Families Oxfordshire Magazine talks to the Warden of Radley College, Mr John Moule

John Moule joined Radley College as Warden (Headmaster) in September 2014. Radley offers an environment for boys to grow in selfconfidence, thrive academically, and make the most of an enormous range of opportunities. A Radley education is about independent thought and learning with enthusiasm. It is about cultural awareness and academic ambition. It is about learning to live with others and preparation for the world beyond its gates. If you have a talented boy, who excels academically or at music, sport, art or drama then they also have bursary support available up to 100% of the fees. To arrange

a visit please contact: admissions@radley. org.uk or 01235 543174 or complete the enquiry form on their website www.radley. org.uk/funded-places.

HOW WOULD STUDENTS AT RADLEY COLLEGE DESCRIBE YOU?

You’d have to ask them! I hope they would say I was interested in them and what they do and get to a lot of events. I think they would say I like an argument (accurately . . . !). They would probably mention I am an Arsenal fan and like darts.

WHAT AND / OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A TEACHER AND LATER A HEADTEACHER?

To be honest, it was a bit of an accident. Having failed to secure funding for a PhD, someone – I genuinely do not remember who – said I should apply to an independent school to teach. I thought I’d try it, despite never having really set foot in a boarding school. It was a new world. But the moment I started, I loved it. Being able to direct a play, coach sport, teach a subject . . . great. In terms of Headship, I was lucky to work for Heads who tolerated me, taught me and mentored me. The challenge of the job always intrigued me; I love the variety and the mix between the every-day reactive and the long-term strategic. Never a dull moment.

WHAT DOES BEING A HEADTEACHER MEAN TO YOU?

It is difficult to avoid cliché. It is a privilege to be involved in education and to know that what you do and say can genuinely have an impact on students that is lasting. That is not only a privilege of course: it is a serious task. The best thing I get to do is give opportunities to boys through our funded places scheme; to give a place to a boy who would otherwise not be able to think of an education at Radley, to see him thrive and to see him make the College a better place . . . that is a joy indeed.

HOW DO YOU THINK A HEADTEACHER CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT?

Heads set the tone. A conversation or a decision can have a lasting impact at an individual level, of course, but our real job is to set the overall agenda, appoint the right staff, and support them in bringing the best out of the students. One colleague once said to me that the two jobs were ‘fill the school and write thank you letters’. There’s more to it than that.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PARENTS LOOKING AT PRIVATE EDUCATION FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Don’t believe the stereotypes, look behind the façade, go deep into the website, visit for yourselves, care about the people more than facilities and league tables. . . and trust your instinct. Go for it only if you think your child will be happy in the environment. And don’t worry too much about the cost; it’s worth it. And if you can’t afford the fees, investigate bursary opportunities - most schools will offer some form of financial support to those who need it. or go into another lockdown is depressing and dispiriting. But I am optimistic too; boys at my school have been remarkable in their adaptability and have shown real creativity and collegiality throughout. They have learned new things. And, perhaps most importantly, they have realised just how much they enjoy school. We need to bottle that and to build on the many new initiatives and innovations introduced over the past year.

WHAT SORT OF ADAPTATIONS HAVE BEEN NECESSARY AT RADLEY COLLEGE TO MAKE STAFF AND CHILDREN SAFE AND SECURE?

We have tried hard to provide as much of a normal experience as possible – both virtually and at Radley – and at the same time keep boys and staff safe. We have added a catering tent, created year-group Bubbles in our boarding houses, used outside as much as possible and done, as we all have, lots of tests. We have embraced technology. We even managed to stage a virtual musical. We have emphasised looking out for each other and a collective responsibility. I hope we have got the balance right and while we have not been covid-free, we have not been badly hit. Fingers crossed.

HOW AFFECTED DO YOU FEEL PUPILS HAVE BEEN BY THE PANDEMIC AND LOCKDOWN?

It’s been tough. Real disruption in a key period in their lives; that applies to exams, the lack of competitive sport, the limited social interaction, the fear about the future, the uncertainty about the pandemic itself. Telling pupils they have to isolate for ten days

I SEE THAT YOU ENJOY READING A VERY WIDE RANGE OF BOOKS INCLUDING POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY, THEOLOGY, CRIME NOVELS AND P.G. WODEHOUSE. IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE BOOK TO RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Just the one? I get the Bible and Shakespeare, I hope, and as a Christian and a lover of theatre, both would matter to me. One more? Well, laughter probably outdoes intellectual advancement so a P.G.Wodehouse. And then which one? ‘The Mating Season’: a Jeeves and Wooster classic. Why? Because

Wodehouse was a genius and never fails to make me smile.

WHAT IS YOUR REAL-LIFE SUPERPOWER?

Not sure I should answer that. I am hugely glad that, whatever the pressure, I seem to be able to sleep at night.

RELAXING HOLIDAY OR ACTIVE HOLIDAY?

Definitely relaxing. With good wine (White Burgundy), a dose of cricket (or baseball) to watch, and more than one book.