PARTNERSHIPS
INTRODUCTION
At the heart of Radley is the importance of a caring community. Working in partnership is woven into the fabric of Radley, the values that underpin it, and the belief that what matters most is the sort of young man that emerges into the world aged eighteen.
William Sewell, Founder of the College, cited the benefits in developing the whole character by working alongside those within our communities. Each Warden has built upon this philosophy, believing in the duty of public schools to share their benefits and to open their doors to others, whilst recognising that each Radleian will learn as much from our partners as they do by giving.
By working alongside people from various parts of our communities – local, national, and international – we believe that our boys develop strong social virtues allowing them to better understand and make a positive contribution to wider society.
We aim to equip all boys:
to be ready and willing to make a positive contribution to wider society and the environment.
to develop elements of their own character, helping them to become resilient and compassionate.
to appreciate the privileges they are lucky enough to enjoy and to understand the duty they have to make the world a better place.
to be ready to work alongside others in their communities.
to develop the skills, experience, and innovation to serve the groups and communities with whom we partner.
TIMELINE
Progression and growth
Our partnership collaborations follow the Radley Route Map, designed to track each boy’s journey through his time at Radley. We focus on developing distinctive character virtues and skill acquisitions at each stage, planning to ensure that every boy is involved in collaborative activities.
Each year we focus on a different aspect of character development and social engagement, giving all our boys the understanding, skills and awareness to contribute positively to a changing world.
Awareness: Relationships & High Expectations
Shell Remove Fifth
An introduction to partnership work is achieved through combined events and workshops. The different partnership strands are introduced through an activity carousel. Boys begin to develop a language of advocacy, their own self-awareness, and an appreciation of what they can do for others.
Adventure: Engagement & Resilience
While continuing to promote high personal expectations, we aim to develop the notion of overcoming challenges and learning from failure. Through CCF, DofE and other combined adventure activities we promote active participation and resilience.
Activism: Ambition & Service
Service, moral courage, and teamwork are underpinned in part through our Community Partnerships Programme and further advancement through the CCF. We aim for our boys to be active in their partnership work and look for opportunities to inspire and engage others.
Ambassadors: Responsibility & Independence
We encourage boys to take ownership of their partnership activities and promote the causes of the people they work alongside. Through leadership programmes, curriculum extension projects and partnership work, we develop opportunity for greater choice, independence and service.
Agency: Leadership & Destination
In providing opportunities to shape new partnership activities, boys take greater control over their contribution. Leadership further develops alongside a discourse of the benefits of working together. We plan for every boy to leave Radley with a true sense of civic responsibility, shared experience and mutual support.
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PARTNERSHIP STRANDS
Planning for opportunities
The focus on Partnerships runs through the core of a Radley education; developed through both curriculum and co-curricular activities. Partnership activities are designed to be sustainable, long-term, and to deliver mutual benefit.
Partnership at Radley is based around seven strands, building upon long-standing relationships whilst developing new opportunities.
Strategic Partners
Through developing deep, meaningful partnerships with specific schools and organisations such as the state secondary schools Broadway and Desborough, and Gehandu School in Tanzania, boys build friendships, better understanding of diversity and the challenges and opportunities faced within the wider society.
Community
Partnerships within our locale have been developed through our Community Partnerships Programme. Boys volunteer in senior and primary schools, local care homes, hospitals, foodbanks and other charitable organisations. We develop a strong understanding of service through CCF activities and charitable fund raising. Community extends beyond our immediate surroundings, partnering with regional and international schools and organisations.
Academic
Boys engage in academic collaboration within a formalised network of local schools, The OX14 Partnership, together with our regional partner schools and international student exchanges.
Music
Working alongside the Oxfordshire Music Education Partnership and other national music organisations, Radley boys are involved in music programmes with local primary school children, collaborative music workshops, whilst training as Young Music Leaders.
Sport
Our Young Sports Leaders work in close collaboration with Active Oxfordshire and other local sporting organisations, making our facilities available for local primary school children to participate in the Oxfordshire Youth Games.
Countryside Centre
Radley’s rural setting and our Countryside Centre provide a unique opportunity for us to partner with schools and organisations to focus on the environment and sustainability via projects such as horticulture and animal husbandry.
Research
Partnerships are carefully planned, their impacts measured so as to further develop our ongoing collaborations. Our boys are at the heart of this research, reflecting upon their work and developing a greater social understanding and empathy.
RECENT PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
During the academic year 2021/22 70% of our students were involved in a partnership activity.
“This year, more than ever, we have looked to build meaningful collaborations where values, experiences and purpose are shared. We have developed deeper partnerships with schools, charities and organisations who have helped us to recognise where we can make a genuine impact, especially where there is a ‘double benefit’.”
Director of Partnerships
“It is evident that through partnerships, we acquire communication and leadership skills while exposing ourselves to ‘life off-campus’. These opportunities are invaluable in building a wider understanding of those we are working with, helping prepare each boy to become a responsible citizen beyond Radley.”
Second Prefect
Music Flood
Whereas previously Radley College has been a leading part of a number of large one-off collaborative music projects, our aspiration is for more sustained, meaningful relationships with local schools and other musicians - working with them over the long term. This year over 4000 individual music experiences have been created for local primary and secondary school children.
Sports Partnerships
We intend our partnerships to be fully inclusive of all children. We want to try and offer them the opportunity to engage and be inspired, to enjoy sports and activities of all types, and to relish the challenge sport has to offer. This year over 900 local children and over 100 Radley College pupils have collaborated in a wide range of sport and activity opportunities.
The Respect Project with Downe House
This year Radley College embarked on the Respect Project with Downe House. Through the partnership of an all boys’ and an all girls’ school, the project aims to promote relationships of respect between students. This year 30 combined partnership activities have been planned for students across the academic, co-curricular and social spheres.
Art Partnership through the Swell Centre Gallery
We continue to promote wider access to art through the Sewell Centre Gallery. Shows by individual artists and art organisations make high quality art freely accessible to all through a regular programme of curated exhibitions. Over 1000 children from local primary and secondary schools displayed their work in the House + Home exhibition.
International Partnership collaboration with the Commonwealth Education Trust
We have embarked on a three-year collaboration with the Commonwealth Education Trust (CET), whose charitable work is focused on training schoolteachers in the British Commonwealth (in sub-Saharan Africa), engaging with them in digital training programmes on their own smartphones.
Through our partnership, CET is helping support our Yr 9 boys in building relationships with partner secondary schools in Africa, enabling regular online educational discussions between pupils at each school. So far over 50 pupils at Radley have started a programme connecting with pupils in two rural secondary schools: Kilembwa, in Kenya, and Tutajane, in Zambia. Recently students have connected with an international school, Dewey College, located in Douala, the largest city in Cameroon.
The Inspire Programme
This year 12 online presentations were given to over 60 Yr 9 pupils at both Radley College and Desborough College. The programme developed this year into an Inspire Conference, bringing together 46 Yr 9 pupils from both schools for a day of creative thinking, discussion, and collaboration at Desborough College.
Primary School Partnerships
We remain determined to increase the number of our boys working to support children in local primary schools. This past year, 120 Yr 11 and Yr 12 boys at Radley College (40% of boys in these years) have provided weekly support in 9 primary schools.
Secondary Schools
Throughout the year we have worked with students and teachers at local secondary schools through the OX14 Learning Partnership. We also maintain our partnership with Desborough College, The Oxford Academy, and increasingly we are working closely with Broadway Academy.
Radley STEPS support the MAGT primary school children
The Steps class supports 24 Yr 5 girls and boys from fourteen local primary schools over a fifteenweek programme. The children are supported in maths, modern foreign languages, English, the arts, and the sciences by 32 Radley members of staff.
Community Partnerships
We have continued to develop our Community Partnership Programme to provide opportunities for our boys to work within the local community. Over 100 Yr 11 boys have worked each week supporting community projects and local organisations. Our community concert programme has visited 16 care homes, hospitals and schools for young people with complex needs. Over 500 residents, carers, medical staff, and young people have been entertained.
