RADLEIAN T
FROM THE WARDEN
The Radleian has been part of College life since 1866. The earliest editions ser ved as a bulletin of sorts, with notices ranging from donations of books to the librar y, adverts for horses and carriages to let, and even news of the chickens in the fowl house eating well Riveting to Radleians of the time, I’m sure
I suspect the editorial team of the mid-19th centur y might be a touch confused to read about our outstanding Symphonic Pops concert, the new state - of-the -art telescope, and even a play written by a female don, but there is much they would recognise and be proud of too The centrality of the arts and their role in nurturing rounded young men, the importance of Chapel and the enjoyment of singing, and the time spent expanding boys’ knowledge beyond the classroom through essay prizes and lectures by visiting academics
Some things stay the same. The third edition of The Radleian expressed ‘regret ’ at the resignation of the then Warden, Richard Norman, after 13 years of ‘labouring here’. In August, we said a fond farewell to Ben Holden who retired as Sub -Warden, marking the end of a remarkable 37 years at the College.
Whether overseeing our pastoral provision as Designated Safeguarding Lead, teaching in the design workshop or coaching on the river, he has given ever ything to the College. Of Warden Norman, the June 1866 editors wrote: ‘ The affectionate regard and best wishes of ever y Radleian will ever be with him ’ Two sentences in a magazine don’t seem an adequate tribute to Ben, but it ’ s exactly the type of thing he’d appreciate: straightfor ward, understated, and from the boys. We will miss him
But the wheels of Radley keep turning. As boys left for the summer, work began on the refurbishment and expansion of the Music School. When complete in Januar y 2026, it will provide a fitting home for our outstanding Music Department, as well as completing the projects associated with the expansion of the College in recent years
The early days of Radley’s existence were not easy and financial pressures were never far from the founders’ considerations. However, the earliest editions of this publication are laced with optimism and a reassuring sense of calm As we navigate the months and years ahead, we will follow in their footsteps.
Moule, Warden
BRUSH STROKES THROUGH TIME
Art has been central to life at Radley College since its founding in 1847 Inspired by the Oxford Movement ’ s appreciation of beauty, Robert Singleton and William Sewell believed that art was an essential component of education. Sewell, the first Warden, filled the College with Old Masters, antique furniture and silver objects, in line with his belief that ‘mankind cannot be refined without the arts’ Today, art continues to flourish at the College Ruth Tufnell, Director of Art, and Amanda Jewell, Curator of the Sewell Centre Galler y, trace Radley ’ s artistic tradition from the 1800s to the present day
Portrait of My Father on the Stairs, Sven Winkler von Stiernhielm (2012, H)
William Sewell was not only a discerning art collector but also at the cutting edge of Victorian educational philosophy He wanted to create a different school ethos where a gentler aesthetic prevailed and where the purpose of education was to produce good world citizens Sewell was not alone; leading universities also shared this opinion and were advocating to include art in the curriculum The Oxford School of Art (later Ruskin College) opened in 1865, while Oxford University commissioned work by leading painters of the day such as Burne -Jones, Rossetti, and William Morris to adorn its buildings In fact, Sewell was a leading light in this revolution; Holman Hunt referred to Sewell in his lecture The Obligation of the Universities towards Art at The Sheldonian in 1895, highlighting his ‘conviction that Art is a necessar y attainment for a refined nation’
Fired by this passion for radical innovation, Sewell made drawing a central part of the curriculum at Radley He employed drawing masters of the highest pedigree and worked with intensity to ensure that the arts were at the heart of the College His vision endured, and Warden Dennis Silk recognised the importance of creativity at Radley by opening the Sewell Centre in 1979, which
houses a galler y, studios, a librar y, and the Design Department At this time, Silk said, ‘When head and hands are working closely together, we are somewhere near the true function of education It is possible to train
an aesthetic sense and ally it to practical skills and the needs of people Never has it been so important to do so ’ Today, Art continues to flourish The Art Department ’ s overarching aims have remained consistent through the decades; to encourage boys to develop their artistic skills, experience enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts, and gain broad knowledge of artists, craftspeople, and designers across global cultures and throughout histor y
Our success depends on a combination of informed teaching and learning in five purpose -built and fully equipped studios, experiencing art ‘first-hand’ through trips to museums and galleries both at home and abroad, and holding frequent exhibitions, talks, and workshops in the Sewell Centre Galler y The Galler y is also committed to supporting local and international artists and making art freely accessible to the College and our local community
The quantity and quality of artwork by current boys and Old Radleians displayed in the Sewell Centre Galler y, Clock Tower Court, and across the campus is unique in a secondar y school setting Within academic departments, co - curricular hubs, offices, boarding houses, the Health Centre, and Catering Departments, art is ever y where However, this sometimes means it can be a challenge to find and identif y a particular piece around the campus when an Old Radleian comes to collect their work many years after they have left!
Favourites include Sven Winkler von Stiernhielm’s (2012, H) Portrait of My Father on the Stairs, Hector MacDonald’s (2011, H) Refugees in Syria, Graeme Wong’s (2017, A) series of portraits, and, more recently, Archie Goaman’s (2018, K) drawing of his close friends in K Social asleep together This picture aimed to portray a feeling of closeness, trust, and mutual support through shared experiences at Radley and was recently selected for the Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Exhibition 2024. With more than 21,500 submissions
for this prestigious competition, we were thrilled to have a Radleian represented in the exhibition
Since Radley’s founding, art has been regarded as a central element of a comprehensive education It encourages boys to learn new creative and artistic skills To question, to empathise with others and to appreciate beauty It also provides a critical outlet for personal development and mental well-being outside of STEM subjects
As the arts and creative industries become increasingly important to the UK and global economy, we are proud of the growing number of successful Old Radleian artists, including a BAF TA-winning film producer, an Oscar-winning illustrator and animated short filmmaker, as well as a myriad of sculptors, painters, printmakers, media technicians, fashion and jeweller y designers, graphic and special effects producers, galler y and museum curators, architects, and craftsmen. Long may it continue
Archie Goaman (2018, K)
NEW MUSIC SCHOOL
The exponential growth in the quality of music at Radley over the last five years has been clear for all to see. Across genres, boys regularly give professional-level performances as soloists, as members of organised classical and jazz ensembles, or as part of pop and rock bands This increased quality, combined with the growing number of boys at the College, left our music school behind the cur ve In July, we broke ground on an extension and refurbishment of the building, with a view to having a new world- class facility open in Januar y 2026
Silk Hall
We will increase the audience seating capacity of the Silk Hall to 350. This will enable us to host more large -scale concerts on campus and attract international performers for recitals Additionally, the expanded space will facilitate more partnership work, allowing us to welcome more children from across Oxfordshire to experience live music
Recital Room
The new music school will include a recital hall with retractable seating for 100 This venue will provide a home for our burgeoning chamber music programme, and the additional space will enable more boys to pursue projects aligned with their musical interests and tastes
Music Technology
Our popular band nights have inspired more boys to form pop and rock bands or to study music production and DJing The new music school will have dedicated spaces for these groups to rehearse, a music technology suite, and a professionally- equipped recording studio; the perfect home for Radley Records, our in-house record label.
Teaching Space
The number of boys choosing to learn an instrument, along with the growth in music as an examination subject, means that we require more classrooms and practice rooms Bright and air y spaces will offer an ideal environment for creative expression and musical development
The importance of music was a key part of Radley’s founding and remains central to our ethos today. The whole school sings together (brilliantly!) almost ever y day in Chapel and, with three concerts, 30 rehearsals, and more than 500 music lessons a week, each day is enriched by the joy of live performance There is no Radley without music
Our new building will fuel our musical ambition, providing exceptional facilities and equipment, which we hope will inspire more boys to develop a lifelong love of music
BOYS DON ’ T SING?
Teenagers are sometimes described as singing’s endangered species, teenage boys even more so 16 years ago, the television programme The Choir: Boys Don’t Sing reflected the populist view that ‘boys don’t sing’, certainly not en mass, as a community Sam Gladstone, Precentor (Director of Music), considers this challenging question through a Radley lens and outlines why singing is so central to College life
I am blessed to be the latest custodian of Radley’s vibrant, inclusive and happy singing culture where singing is a normal, daily activity The boys are proud of their singing, protective of it even, and committed to singing continuing to thrive in Chapel, the Theatre, on the coach and around the BBQ at Cocoa. It is the most wonderful gift as a director of music to be able to work with a choir of almost 800 boys ever y week
It is my great privilege ever y year to hear ever y single
new boy at the school sing. They are ushered into the room in groups of three to sing Happy Birthday A combination of Dr Tim Morris’s genius in finding the right key for each boy to be comfortable by picking up on their natural speaking pitch, and some other tricks and encouragement, mean that ever y boy ends up singing on their own For some, this is home territor y; for many, singing is not something that they yet feel comfortable with. That will, in many cases, change significantly
Over their years at Radley, each of these boys will sing five times a week, ever y week in term time Their first experience of this will be the first Chapel ser vice on the first night of term. I always watch for the Shells’ reaction as they hear the responses and then the hymns sung from the rows behind them This is ver y different from anything most will have experienced before
Leadership by older boys is critical. Their approach is ver y much ‘ This is what we do here’ I am not sure they realise how unusual it is that they chat regularly about their favourite hymns Indeed, they know many by number; just listen to the frisson in Chapel when 252, 187, 190, 118 and others are announced! There is a strong oral tradition; the responses change gradually over the years, the rhythms (and indeed some pitches) of these and several of the ‘favourite’ hymns change with the generations The whole school embraces the competitive side of singing in canon (Seek ye first, Tallis’ Canon…). Many of the most popular hymns are opera arias or art song, rearranged as hymns, belying the misguided notion that teenagers must be given a diet of ‘relevant ’ music You can often hear the mood of the school change as they sing; resetting, reconnecting. The research on the effect and power of singing on physical health, mental health, and community cohesion is deafening
What many do not realise, of course, is that they are practising a skill ever y day, learning from those around them, developing physical and technical facility, building confidence The boys who sing Happy Birthday on their first day have changed by the time they audition for the College Musical in huge numbers, all singing confidently, with warmth of tone and huge potential Lead roles often go to boys who had not realised they were singers. At the top end, there are choral scholarships and Conser vatoire places, but also generation after generation of young men who sing and who will model that to others
did not want to be there, the boys would not either, and the same goes for the whole staff team
But perhaps being a single sex school also helps too Indeed, research by Martin Fautley in the British Journal of Music Education found that single -sex extra- curricular singing opportunities were a strong predictor of boys’ sustained participation in singing. For boys, the voice becomes increasingly unpredictable and difficult to manage at around the time they arrive at Radley This can be embarrassing. Whilst girls’ voices also change, it
So, what works? The regular ser vices and performances give a clear purpose and an end goal; we are always working towards something in choir, and even in congregational practice, we are preparing for the next ser vice or performance. Last year, this included the whole school singing part of Faure’s Requiem with orchestral accompaniment and a choir that included Old Radleians Singing is an enduring tradition, and the Warden often jokes that Radley’s legacy is that we provide congregation members who know the hymns at weddings Rehearsals do not clash with sport, through endless negotiation with our fantastic and supportive coaches. We talk about voice change. And choir rehearsals are, genuinely, the highlight of my week If I
is far less pronounced; boys will feel vulnerable, incompetent even That some people still talk about voices ‘breaking’ compounds the issue At the time boys are most sensitive to their voices, describing them as ‘broken’ is far from helpful. We aim for a more positive narrative about the process of voice change The strong treble section – led by our choristers – means that boys feel comfortable singing in whatever range on arrival at Radley and we commit to keeping them singing (even in the ver y small range that may be comfortable for some boys during the change in their voice)
This is what we all do here. At Radley, boys certainly do sing
KICK- OFF SHELL PL AY
REVIEW
This year ’ s Shell Play, Kick- Off, written and directed by Miss Millie Felix, skillfully highlighted the crushing effects that sports injuries can have on teenagers’ mental health. William (R, F Social) reviews this innovative new production from a packed house in the Theatre.
It was an electrif ying blend of football’s highs and lows, following the lives of three injured teenage boys; 15-year- old Will, played by Ned (A Social), 16-year- old Seb, played by Laszlo (C Social); and 18-year- old Tom, played by Ollie (F Social) The boys are struggling to cope under the strains of their sporting injuries and absence from football As the curtains parted, the lights fell on these brokenspirited athletes who were physio -bound, performing their exercises with much discontent Soon however, they broke out of their introverted states and discover the one thread of relatability that linked them all together; the collective pain of missing out on the sport they love. A conversation on the cause of their injur y leads to flashbacks of the boys' backstories, displaying the build-up and ongoing impacts their injur y had caused.
It was an electrif ying blend of football’s highs and lows, following the lives of three injured teenage boys.
“ ”
The audience soon discovered that the boys are battling academically and socially, falling from popularity and losing any hint they once had of being model students They fall behind on work, and teachers and students notice their struggle, yet talking about it doesn’t seem to help
All three stories had a seamlessly choreographed sequence displaying the tragic moment of injur y, making great use of dramatic lighting and perfect physicality to emulate the blur of a football match. The design created a perfect setting and atmosphere The stage was transformed into a football pitch, with a stadium upstage that was lined with Radley inspired commercial billboards and a stand full of cheering supporters The England kit and memorabilia worn by supporters, helped
to intensif y the feeling of being in a raucous stadium Lazslo, as Seb, gave a raw performance of a boy tr ying to live up to high expectations, shown through a captivating monologue and compelling interaction with his peers
These same actors are quick to shift their loyalty to a new captain, and whilst they prepare for the big final, Seb is left abandoned Ollie, as Tom, sensitively captured the pressures of body confidence through his character’s obsession with weighing himself, and Ned, as Will perfectly demonstrated how frustrating concussion can be
The wonderfully entertaining coach, Bill Russell, played by Archie (G Social), must get a mention for beautifully showing the tragedy behind his character, taking a step away from his hilarious singing and dancing to open up to the boys about his failure as a professional A switch is flicked within the boys and, with support from their mates and teachers, this crescendos towards the conclusion The trio form a tight bond before going their separate ways, excited at what ’ s to come in their sporting careers.
However, ever yone is brought together one more time for a patriotic ending based on the European Championships and the failures of the past Once again, the stands erupt at ever y twist and turn of the game with the main characters brought together to witness the elation as well as the cruelty of the sport they love It was an excellent performance of a poignant new script
TENNIS IN FOCUS
The Lawn Tennis Club had another tremendous season. With more than 200 players, the Club is as big as it has ever been. Traditional block fixtures, league competitions and knock- out tournaments are played regularly as well as occasional social matches with girls’ schools and the ever-popular dons’ match suppers Ralph Woodling, Master in Charge of Tennis, tells us more.
Tennis is a game where the racquet does the talking, so many younger boys are able to compete against senior players on an equal footing Ollie (S, J Social) and Yaroslav (S, L Social) did just that in Mallorca and matched the 6 1 boys shot for shot Captain Woody (6 2, C Social) played for Bigside as a Shell and finishes his final year at the College in the best form of his life
Woody and his partner Hugo (6. 2, A Social) did not lose a match in the 2023 season, including beating Youll Cup holders Bradfield College at the Independent Schools’ Tennis Association. They are unbeaten to date in 2024 with Woody going on to win the Magdalen College School Singles Trophy, beating Oxfordshire’s top player in the final His performance led to his selection to play for the ISTA IV against the All England Club in May A stunning honour.
Highlights of 2024 have been wins for Bigside over Harrow, MCS, Abingdon, Teddies and Bradfield in regional competitions and block fixtures Our Shell teams are riding high with wins over Abingdon, Harrow, Marlborough and were Trophy winners in the RHWM Quadrangular Junior Colts contested the Thomas Bowl at ISTA with confidence and the Colts won pleasingly against Harrow
With so many competitive players at Radley, the College has been able to field Senior teams going down to a 5th VI. Some 40 boys have played a match for the College at senior level in 2024 and we now have the luxur y of tailoring team selection to the opposition, optimising the experience for top players and giving as many boys as possible the chance to test themselves on the court
The boys have recently returned from playing the Roehampton Club on the lawns of West London The matches were surprisingly fierce with George (V, J Social) and partner Benedict (V, D Social) conquering grizzly opposition Game, set and match
SYMPHONIC POPS
Our inaugural Symphonic Pops Concert was electrif ying The Bands Night team took control of Silk Hall, assembling a full orchestra of boys and staff to accompany singers and bands of all genres. Swapping Bach, Beethoven and Brahms for The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Beyoncé, the boys produced an evening of music that will live long in the memor y Ed (6 1, D Social) reviews
Symphonic Pops was a groundbreaking event and the first time that the Orchestra had joined forces with the College’s array of pop and rock talent. Co - Curricular Prefect Will (6 2, E Social) compered the evening, which journeyed through six decades of popular music, beginning in the 1960s.
The concert kicked off with Sam (6 2, K Social),
a stalwart of Bands Night and an exceptional vocalist, delivering an outstanding performance of God Only Knows by The Beach Boys. Accompanied by backing vocalists and the Orchestra, Sam’s performance was a fitting tribute to the iconic band and set a high bar for the night.
Next up was A Day in the Life by the Beatles, featuring Adam (V, H Social) and me. Adam's stellar performance lived up to our billing as ‘Radley Music legends’ I hope I also lived up to my reputation... Miss Molly Moran and Mr Nico Bentley should take credit for the smooth running of the evening and the fact that ever y boy I spoke to felt confident when walking on stage. The mammoth sound system and symphonic backing could have been daunting, but we all came away having enjoyed the night immensely and grateful to be afforded such an exciting new opportunity
Jovan (V, J Social) delivered a powerful rendition of Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, with Hector (6 2, C Social) showcasing his impressive guitar skills during his solo Adam (V, H Social) graced the stage again with Kiss from a Rose by Seal, his performance enriched by the backing vocalists who added a wonderful texture to the song Ollie (6 2, C Social) then tackled the challenging vocal range of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, delivering an emotional and impressive performance that stunned the audience
The twins, Colm (6 2, A Social) and Christian (6 2, E Social), along with Grace K from Larkmead School, performed Breathe by Sean Paul and Blu Cantrell, bringing a vibrant change in mood I think it was safe to say I could just about remember the repeating bass line on the sax, which was simple compared to their intricate vocal deliver y of all those words!
Massive Attack’s Unfinished Sympathy allowed Steven (6 1 C Social) to showcase his music technology skills – a growing trend at Radley – which also came to the fore in Rather Be by Clean Bandit, which featured Mauro (V, G Social) on vocals.
The evening featured a unique blend of DJing and orchestral music with Joss (6. 2, G Social) DJing Pjanoo by Eric Pr ydz The complex track sat beautifully on top of the Orchestra’s thick melodic lines The audience just about stayed in their seats
The evening concluded with High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco, sung by Kostas (6 2, F Social) and a stellar group of backing vocalists This energetic finale encapsulated the collaborative spirit of Symphonic Pops. As Silk Hall prepares for its refurbishment over the next four terms, I like to think it would be proud of the performance and of the growth in collaborative music making at Radley We look for ward to an exciting new chapter
SERPENTES ESSAY PRIZE
The Senior Academic Prefect introduced a series of scholarly prizes this year The Serpentes Essay Prize, named after the College’s academic journal, allowed boys to flex their intellectual muscles and explore passions that lie beyond the core curriculum.
Radley has a long tradition of academic excellence, reflected in excellent examination results and the demand for our boys at universities in the UK and around the world However, the true measure of
academic success is not the achievements of the few, but the determination and ambition of the many Our culture is such that boys in all year groups and of all abilities enjoy the thrust of debate and the challenge of research
The 10 new Serpentes Essay Prizes are named after Old Radleians of distinction Hyunjo (6 2, K) worked closely with Clare Sargent, College Archivist, to select ORs whose achievements would ser ve as inspiration to current boys
Amongst them are Peter Way (1936, F), one of only three Radleians to ever win the Oxford University Newdigate Prize for Poetr y He returned to teach English at Radley in 1952 after ser ving in the Second World War and is regarded as one of the College’s most inspirational dons. His students included Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate, who wrote of him: ‘My teacher, who reached down inside my head and turned the first lights on Who made me read Who made me write Who gave my life to me ’
The law essay prize is named after Arthur Austen-Leigh (1851), the great-nephew of Jane Austen. Arthur won the first distinction ever awarded at Radley before going up to Balliol College, Oxford He continued his line of ‘firsts’ become the first Radleian to take a 1st class honours in Law
Economists worked in the shadow of Andrew Hughes Hallett (1961, C) who was charged with designing an economic framework for an independent or financially autonomous Scotland and writing policy
arrangements to support it Prior to his death in 2019, he researched extensively on Brexit, Scotland’s economy, and sustainability
With a significant number of entries to read through, the dons asked to select the winners faced a tricky task Prizes were awarded to Mikolaj (6 1, G Social) for philosophy, DingDing (V, D Social) for politics, Jacques (R, F Social) for geography, Adam (6 1, E Social) for English, Minjun (6.1, E Social) for law, Tom (R, D Social) for histor y and Freddie (6 1, E Social) for economics The overall Serpentes Essay Prize was awarded to Mikolaj for his outstanding work, There are objective moral truths.
This impressive initiative marks an exciting new chapter in the academic life of the College, which we hope will inspire more boys to great things
EXCELLENT EXAM RESULTS
Boys in the Fifth Form and 6 2 celebrated excellent results in public examinations in August, cementing our reputation as one of the countr y ’ s top schools for academic achievement and added value. At A-Level, 67% of grades were an A* or A , with almost half the year group securing a clean sweep of A and A* grades. On GCSE Results Day, 64% of grades were at grade 8 or 9 and 85% were grade 7 or above, an 8% increase on last year. Whilst grades do not define our boys or the College, they represent many years of dedicated hard work. They should all feel ver y proud of their achievements
There are many outstanding stories to reflect on Senior Prefect, Zach (6 2, J Social) is one of 10 boys who secured a full set of A*s at A-Level He will take up his place at Duke
University in the USA on the back of top grades in maths, further maths, histor y and politics Zach will be a Robertson Scholar at Duke, a programme with just 18 places that receives more than 21,000 applications.
Brayden (6 2, D Social) will study PPE at Christ Church, Oxford thanks to four A* grades in maths, further maths, politics and physics. Brayden spoke candidly about his Radley journey to the Oxford Times earlier this year, where he expressed a deep appreciation for his fully-funded place at the College. He was a member of the team who won the National Mace Debating Championships at the Oxford Union in May. We are sure he will enjoy visiting and debating in the Union’s famous chamber throughout his three years at Oxford
Bernardo (6 2, H Social) takes up his place to read maths at Cambridge after also securing four A* grades in chemistr y, classical Greek, maths and further maths Bernardo, a talented musician, will be organ scholar at Trinity Hall from September His friend and musical colleague, Kim (6 2, K Social) will follow him to Cambridge next year. His three A*s in Latin, maths and music and A in further maths confirmed his place at Selw yn College to read music and take up his role as
organ scholar. Kim will spend his gap year as organ scholar at Portsmouth Cathedral and Portsmouth Grammar School, former stomping ground of Radley’s Director of Music, Mr Sam Gladstone.
Of the results, the Warden said: “I am ver y pleased with the outcomes our boys have secured at both GCSE and A-Level. It is important to remember that each set of numbers and letters is not just a statistic but an outcome for a boy The overall picture is ver y encouraging, and I am particularly pleased by the upward tick in the number of As and A*s at A-Level and the significant rise in grade 8s and 9s at GCSE. At the top end, 24 boys achieved eight grade 9s or more, but the value added element – which is particularly visible in our A-Level results – shows Radley at its best.”
For boys in the 6 2 year who are progressing to the next stage of their educational journey, A-Level Results Day can bring a great deal of trepidation, however Radleians have successfully secured places at some of the world’s leading universities 84% of UK university places are at Russell Group universities, which includes 10 places at Oxford and Cambridge. 33% of boys will take up a place at a university in the top 50 of the QS global rankings 18 boys will take up places at universities in the USA , including five at Iv y League schools, 12 at universities in the top 100 of the QS global rankings and one at McGill University in Canada. Two boys will study medicine, and one has confirmed his place on EY’s prestigious degree apprenticeship programme We wish them all well and welcome them to the Old Radleian community
FUTURES PROGRAMME IN FOCUS
In an increasingly competitive global employment market, we are committed to giving our boys the skills, support and inspiration they need to embrace their future with confidence
Our integrated Futures team, including the Head of Sixth Form, University Entrance, Careers, and the Radleian Society, is essential in preparing our boys for life beyond Radley They provide expert guidance on course selection, university choices and apprenticeships options, while also helping students to gain a deeper understanding of the world of work and the importance of networking in their early careers
The Futures Team assists the boys in three core areas:
1. Planning immediate pathways for life beyond Radley, ensuring a smooth and successful transition
2 Navigating the ever- changing landscape of higher education and employment, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to adapt as they progress
3 Gaining a deeper understanding of the professional world by providing access to a network of contacts and opportunities
The value of a Radley education extends beyond the five years our boys spends at the College Our tailored Futures Programme actively supports boys in their early career pathways from 16 years old through to 25 and beyond, if they wish We provide a variety of opportunities to help boys find the right career pathway for them and ensure future success in whatever they choose to pursue
UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE
University and Course Selection Support
Advice on Applications to International Universities
Morrisby and Unifrog Platforms: Research
Skill Building Career Exploration
CAREERS
Entrepreneurship
Programme
Career Guidance
Events
External Career Support Agency
Apprenticeships
Guidance
Inter view Practice
RADLEIAN SOCIETY
Old Radleian Career Profiles
Career Advice and Mentoring Programme
Business Networking
Events
Work Experience Opportunities
Networking Platforms: Radley Connect
LinkedIn Business Network
BEN HOLDEN A TRIBUTE TO THE SUB-WARDEN
In July, we said farewell to one of our longest-ser ving members of staff When you ask colleagues to describe Ben Holden, the answers are kind, gentle, calm, reassuring and an outstanding ser vant of the College, with the boys at the forefront of ever ything he does. Ben came to Radley in April 1987 as a Design and Technology teacher Little did he know that arriving late for an inter view with then-Warden Dennis Silk in a battered old Citroën would turn into a 37-year career at the College.
I must have bluffed my way through successfully because I subsequently got an offer to start in the April. “ ”
After studying industrial design at Brunel, Ben envisaged himself designing racing dinghies in Milan, but he happily ended up teaching Still keen on windsurfing and anything related to boats and being on the water, he applied for a job at Radley, fully aware of the College’s histor y of rowing He joined the College in the Lent Term of 1987 as part of the Design Engineering Department under Peter Wilkins and Ian Hassle, quickly
discovering that they ran the Radley College Windsurfing Society; it was a match made in heaven Working with a great team helped him to settle in and when Peter took a sabbatical to Australia, Ben stepped in to run the Design Department in his absence He didn’t realise that Peter would love Australia so much that he would emigrate!
ARichard Morgan appointed Ben as Tutor of D Social Ben and his wife Helen had been sub -tutors in D Social so were the perfect people to take over in difficult circumstances Unsurprisingly, the Holdens managed to turn the boarding house around, creating a fantastic family atmosphere and indeed raising their own children there during their 12-year tenure 'I think of all my years at Radley, the years in D Social were the happiest ’
After many successful years in D, Ben was asked to support the then Sub -Warden, Mike Hopkins Mike sadly passed away suddenly, leaving Ben to step into the Sub -Warden role with short notice In typical Ben fashion, he said: ‘I never really went looking for these roles, but they seem to have come my way!’
Along with the Sub -Warden title he has grappled with the ever-increasing complexities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead role When asked how he has managed, Ben explained that the role and its responsibilities changed and increased over time in a way that allowed him to grow with them With a strong team of Deputy DSLs at his side, Ben has created a fantastic support network for boys and colleagues alike. Niall Murphy, his successor as Sub -Warden, summed up his immense contribution to the College by expressing the simple fact: ‘ They’ve had to appoint two of us to replace Ben; me as Sub -Warden and Ed James as Deputy Head (Pastoral).’
But what next? The Holdens have a home in Ireland and a recently purchased property in Oxford from which to plan their next steps ‘When people leave Radley there’s an expectation that they are about to embark on an adventure That ’ s not what I have planned! I intend to set myself up on a rock on the edge of the Atlantic and stare at the horizon.’ Having spent so many years mastering complex safeguarding legislation, it ’ s hardly a surprise
In a video tribute, the Warden described Ben as ‘ an outstanding ser vant of the College, who has always done what was asked of him. If you were to ask for my favourite memor y of Ben, two spring to mind Firstly, when he hosted the Great 175 Bake Off as part of our 175th anniversar y celebrations. When I expressed my surprise that he had been asked and not me, we laughed as he said, ‘I don’t even like cake’. Secondly, if you can find it in the Radley Video archive, the health and safety film he made on the return from COVID is quite something. You’ll see Ben walking around the campus, explaining one -way systems and pointing up and down staircases looking deeply bored, all topped off with the famous line ‘ we want things to be as normal as possible in September’ He has always provided astute advice to me and I know that Council has slept a little easier knowing that Ben was in command of safeguarding at the College We will miss him ’
We wish Ben the ver y best in his retirement and thank him for his outstanding contributions to the College Generations of boys and staff have benefited from Ben’s wise counsel, and his kind and empathetic support We wish him the ver y best in retirement and thank him for his remarkable contribution to the College over many years
AURORA BOREALIS
Solar Cycle 25, and the geomagnetic storms it created, made the Aurora Borealis visible above Radley in May Mr Alastair Vaan, Head of Computer Science, tells us about how Radley ’ s investments in innovative technology allowed boys to study this unique celestial event in microscopic detail.
The Wei Obser vator y at Radley is tucked away almost out of sight You’ll need to stand in just the right position to see its classic pearly white dome perched above the Physics Department Inside that hidden hemisphere sits a superb triplet lens refracting telescope through which our boys have been peeking at the skies for some years, enjoying views of planets and star clusters. Recent investment in astronomy, amplified with generous support from the Wei family, has allowed the College to upgrade its provision to stratospheric heights.
The aim was to create a facility that would allow boys to experience modern astronomy and astrophotography with systems that they could approach with a high degree of independence In addition, digital image collection allows for the revelation of faint details, which are invisible to the naked eye, to be appreciated as soon as they are collected On brighter objects such as the magnificent Orion Nebula, even a single shot is highly detailed and a significant enhancement over a direct view
With new automations, the whole obser vator y can now be controlled from the relative warmth of the lobby below This allows easy access to the newly-acquired mono and colour cameras, specialised for astronomy, and filters to be able to capture remarkable images while cutting out light pollution from Oxford In addition, photographic plate solving (a technique for mathematically locating the
position of the telescope) in the central computer allows for precise alignments so objects can be pointed at efficiently using the telescope’s motor driven mount. For photography, a single image can take hours of exposure and image processing, so automation helps us achieve this while Radley life charges on around us In short, we can reveal the delicate details of galaxies and nebulae with relative ease.
Alongside this remarkable obser vator y upgrade, the Physics Department has also been able to bring new daytime opportunities for boys The department now has more ways of obser ving the sun safely, including a new tracking telescope fitted with an active Hydrogen Alpha filter This system allows boys to view the live details of the sun ’ s surface from the comfort of an iPad screen. Our most monumental work to date was our shot of the sunspot then known as AR3664, which brought the spectacular Aurora Borealis (The Northern Lights) to our latitude later that day The Aurora’s timing and a fortuitous clear sky made for a spectacular Leavers’ Dinner, with boys staring up from Bigside to experience something truly special on an already memorable night
It is often said that buying a new telescope guarantees cloudy skies, so naturally this winter was one of the cloudiest in recent years However, having a super range of equipment to aid viewing means that when boys receive an ‘Astro -Alert ’ , even a short session can have many eyes on the sky and the sights will always be remarkable
I N O T H E R N EWS. . .
“ It seems that anything is possible at this remarkable institution.”
TATLER SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2024
U15 National Rugby Champions
THE
This is an unbelievably impressive place, steeped in tradition yet evolving by the minute.
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Best School for Scholarships and Bursaries in the UK
g (6.1, D) was shortlisted for the cke Essay Prize. The competition more than 35,000 entries and e shortlisted in each of the ories.
In 2024 Blake, Mastafa and Brayden won the National Mace Debating Competition at the Oxford Union, the UK’s most prestigious debating prize This was the first national award for debating in the College’s histor y
For the second consecutive year, Radley qualified for the World VEX Robotics Championships Our boys were the highest placed UK team at the competition in Dallas, Texas
Best Bursar y Programme in the UK for The Keys Award.
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The current redevelopment of our Music School will further cement Radley ’ s status as one of the UK’s leading schools for music.
