IMPACT The radley foundation AND DEVELOPMENT report
2019
The R adley Foundation and Development report 2019 Introductions 2-3
Funds Update
Giving to the Radley Foundation
4
New Funds
14
Impact of Funded Places
5
New Investment Strategy
15
New Science Centre
6-7
The Chapel Fund
McKenna Strength and Conditioning Centre
8-9
How to support us
Cook Fellowships
12-13
16-17 18
10-11
Foreword from the Chairman of Trustees It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Impact Report 2019. The aim of this Report, like its predecessor, is to keep you informed of interesting and significant developments at Radley and illustrate the key role which the Foundation and the support of donors continues to play in the life and future of the College. Addressing affordability through the provision of scholarships and bursaries remains the prime objective of the Foundation. Whilst providing fully-funded places is central to the strategy, this goes hand in hand with providing a range of partly-funded places in recognition of the range of different circumstances which merit assistance and the need to maintain a broad intake. To illustrate this, page 5 of the Report includes an account of a parent whose son’s place was partly funded. Developments at the College have included the refurbishment of the Science Centre (pages 6-7) and the new McKenna Strength and Conditioning Centre (pages 8-9), each of which the Foundation has supported. 2
Introductions
The objective of broadening the School’s academic perspective has been given a major boost by the generous provision of the Cook Fellowships (by Mr and Mrs Michael Cook), and you can read on pages 10-11 a Cook Fellow’s account of his experience of life at Radley. We will of course continue to keep you informed of progress in relation to the provision of funded places, the new or improved facilities and other areas of life at Radley which with your support the Foundation is able to assist. Most notably, we will be supporting the extension of Chapel over the next two years, which you can read more about on pages 16-17. On behalf of the Foundation Trustees, I wish to thank all of you who have so generously supported the Foundation.
Thomas Seymour Chairman of the Trustees, The Radley Foundation
Tr ansforming Lives Radley's core aim is to provide a world-class education for boys and, in doing so, develop young men who will make a difference in the world, in whatever they do and wherever they go. It is a bold ambition. In order to achieve it, the Foundation is crucial. Throughout Radley's history, from Sewell to now, the generosity of donors has helped the school become what it is today. Fee income sustains a school from year to year but philanthropy drives it forward. In 2019, that is more important than ever as we seek to extend significantly our provision of funded places, as we extend Chapel to maintain it as the beating heart of the community in an expanded school and as we seek to provide opportunities and facilities that allow boys to thrive. This report gives a taste of what the Foundation, with your help, has achieved in recent years. It is much more than figures on a page: it is a set of inspiring stories about the life transforming impact of the generosity of donors. I am hugely grateful to the trustees who oversee the Foundation with passion and expertise; the transformation of our investment strategy leaves us more than confident about the future as we pursue our ambitious goals. Above all, however, I am grateful to those who give, at all levels, reflecting their love of Radley and their desire to give back... so that future generations can benefit as well. I hope you find the report as encouraging and exciting as I do.
John Moule, Warden
Introductions
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Giving to the r adley foundation
Facilities £708,000
The last five years, at a glance Over the last five years, the Radley community has gifted over £8.9 million in charitable donations to the Radley Foundation.
£2.48 million has been given for Trustees’ Discretion. Support made in this way is particularly valuable, allowing gifts to be used wherever needed most. These donations may be used to grow our long-term endowment, thus securing the future of the College, or used immediately for important projects.
Trusteesʼ Discretion £2.95 million
£708,000 has been given to Facilities. Supporting the very fabric of the College, gifts to important facilities have improved the day-to-day life of Radleians. £5.25 million has been given to Scholarships and Bursaries. This fund lies at the core of our fundraising. Gifts can either be made to specific named scholarships and bursaries in particular areas of college life, or can be made to our general provisions of funded places across the school. Gifts can also be put to immediate use, or be endowed for the future.
Our commitment to funded places The majority of gifts to the Radley Foundation have gone on to support funded places at Radley. In the last five years, thanks to your support, we have been able to increase our provision of Scholarships and Bursaries to deserving boys.
Scholarships and Bursaries £5.25 million
In 2018/19 alone, the College committed over £2 million to fee support. Much of this was possible thanks to the generous contributions of the Radley community. Fee support ranges from fully funding a place (100%), to providing a small boost to those who need it (25% or less).
Fee support given in 2018/19 by value
Amount awarded annually in funded places £2,500,000
100% support £460,000
£2,000,000
0-24% support £330,000
25-49% support £114,000
£1,500,000
£1,000,000
£500,000
£0 2015/2016
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2016/2017
2017/2018
Giving to the Radley Foundation
2018/2019
2019/2020
75-99% support £604,000
50-74% support £500,000
AN OLD RADLEIAN'S STORY: HELP THROUGH FUNDED PLACES One parent tells us of the partial funding he received thanks to support from the Foundation, and the life changing opportunity presented to his son. As an OR with a trunk load of great memories, we had put our son down for Radley at birth as a natural knee jerk reaction. However as time moved forward, such plans became rapidly beyond our financial reach.
Previous upbringing and education abroad to this point had been good and very diverse but not at all what one would call a classic English prep school scenario that is so effective at preparing children for the next step.
Working abroad for many years, we returned to England and immediately into the state education system. As an active, sporty and musical child, we rapidly realised that the school, despite some truly brilliant teaching, was just not in a position to nurture potential and provide an environment to flourish despite its very best intentions.
So it has been with enormous pleasure that we watch our son embrace the seemingly endless opportunities of musical, sporting and countless other activities offered to the Radley boys.
In conversation with OR friends, we were encouraged to write to Radley. So with nothing to lose we took their advice, made contact and applied and followed the route of tests, exams and interviews. The result of all this was jubilation and a scholarship. Though this in itself was splendid news it was also the extremely welcome catalyst to a partial bursary, which has opened educational doors in all sorts of directions and completely transformed a young boy's life. I would like to add at this point, especially given the fact that we would ideally not want to be requesting assistance, that the whole process, at all levels was carried out with an elegance, grace and charm that completely removed any sense of embarrassment.
He has taken up more of these opportunities than can sensibly fit into a normal day and in-between shrinking bouts of adolescent behaviour, he remains totally aware and appreciative of this amazing cornucopia of possibilities that have been laid before him. In the short time he has been at Radley even though he arrived a well rounded individual, there has been an increasing awareness towards both the greater and his immediate society as well as a more finely tuned, mature approach. This is still under construction but we as parents are forever surprised by the intricate web of pastoral and educational care that continually surrounds him and the other boys to a level that I frankly don't remember in my day though, perhaps I was just in blissful ignorance. Radley College, and those benefactors who have made this possible, have our and our son's unending gratitude. Anonymous Impact of funded places
5
New light in the Sciences Since 2018, the Science building has undergone a major refurbishment and extension. With increasing numbers of boys taking sciences at A-level and the standard of attainment in the sciences steadily rising, the College decided the time was right to improve the facility. The centre is now finished and has been in use by students since September 2019. Thank you to all who so generously sponsored the project. Our modern world would be unthinkable without the achievements of science and, as the College expands, the science provisions necessarily follow suit. At Radley we are not content with just teaching to the syllabus. While it is important that boys push themselves to achieve the highest grades possible, our aim is to guide those who are particularly interested to new heights. We strive to provide a platform for boys to conduct independent research and the new Science Centre does just that, thanks to new project rooms in Physics and Chemistry. The Physics department now has its own telescope and various sensors that are able to send real time meteorological and physical data, such as neutrino counts and solar radiation, directly to screens located in the department or to mobile devices. This is housed in the new Wei Observatory, generously funded by Mr and Mrs Wei.
The new Science Lecture Theatre 6
New Science Centre
The Chemistry project room accommodates two fume cupboards and a state-of-the-art UV-Vis spectrophotometer, which is fitted with a thermostated cell changer that allows university style experiments into reaction kinetics. The next stage will be to equip the project lab with an infrared spectrometer, an NMR spectrometer and a rotary evaporator. Our goal is to build a state-of-the-art school research facility where boys can taste what it means to be an experimental scientist, and the new Science Centre provides the space needed to help us achieve this. The Science department has a strong team that is enormously dedicated to our boys. Now, thanks to the new and improved Science Centre, we can do even more. Thank you to all who supported this important addition to Radley.
Oliver Choroba (left), Head of Chemistry Andrew Norman (right), Head of Physics
Exterior of the new Science Lecture Theatre
Key features of the new Science Centre • 186 seat lecture theatre • Observatory streaming real time data to classrooms • New laboratories and project rooms • Refurbishment of existing laboratories • Roof terrace for outdoor experiments • Interactive periodic table
Interactive Periodic Table New Science Centre
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From strength to strength Thanks to gifts to the Foundation – most notably from Mr & Mrs McKenna – Radley has been able to provide a new and improved Strength and Conditioning Centre. Located next to the Jock Mullard Rowing Tank, it was officially opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex in May 2018. The centre provides a high standard of training never before seen at Radley. The McKenna Strength and Conditioning (S&C) Centre has played a vital role throughout the rowing season and in the all-important build-up to Henley. Using strength testing, the S&C staff have helped us track our physiological development, and we have used lowintensity circuits to develop a base of endurance strength to build on as the squad reaches the summer racing season. Before, the boat club had to stagger sessions and train in different places. Now, the quantity and range of equipment has allowed the whole squad to be able to train at the same time. This has allowed for a greater depth of communication in the squad, shown in the incredible results throughout the year, and most importantly, at National Schools Regatta: RCBC was the highest performing school club. To appreciate the quality of the facilities, you only have to travel to other high performing clubs across the country or hear what visiting clubs have to say. The UK armed forces rowing team trained out of Radley in the build-up to the Kings Cup at Henley and described the facilities as “world-class”.
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• Weights and conditioning room
• 8 Wattbikes
• Free weights and a prowler lane
• Video analysis and monitoring
• 32 top quality rowing machines
• Outdoor training area
McKenna Strength and Conditioning Centre
As well as building strength and fitness, the McKenna S&C Centre has been instrumental in injury prevention and education. Twice a week the squad is involved in stretching and core exercises to ensure that we all stay healthy – up to 12 sessions a week can put significant strain on us if not properly moderated. In this way, education has been pivotal to this year’s success. Understanding the purpose and the effects of our training not only makes it more effective but also makes progress more visible. For example, we use heart rate monitors whilst training on the ergometers or doing weight circuits to ensure that we stay within the correct intensity. The impact of the McKenna S&C Centre across the whole school is clear to see: more Radleians are involved in strength and conditioning than ever before. They are no longer additional sessions reserved for bigside teams but rather fundamental to sport across the school. The centre gives a professionalism to Radley sports that is not found in many other schools.
Alex Senior (2015 E), 1st VIII oarsman
“The impact of the McKenna Strength and Conditioning Centre across the whole school is clear to see.�
McKenna Strength and Conditioning Centre
9
Beyond the ordinary Thanks to a generous donation from Mr and Mrs Cook, Radley has been able to appoint its first cohort of Cook Fellows. The role seeks to encourage boys to think beyond the syllabus – to challenge their perceptions and start asking questions about the wider world around them. Appointees are university graduates from the US, and are a member of the teaching staff for one year. Radley boys have many strengths, but in some cases are not as confident and effective in communication as they might be. It therefore made sense to appoint people with real-world experience of other spheres of influence, to challenge boys’ preconceptions, styles of relating and attitudes of complacency and inertia – where they might exist. The Cook Fellows have a great deal of latitude in defining the role as befits their own experience, expertise and interests. They engage with issues arising from boys’ timetabled study, current affairs and big global themes which benefit from further exploration. They assist greatly with Oxbridge preparation, working inside Socials and across academic departments. After the first year, I can say the project has been a huge success. Stephen Rathbone, Academic Director
Coming from America to Radley as a Cook Fellow was, in some ways, a return journey—I had spent time a few years ago as a Visiting Student at Oxford. But while many Americans study at Oxford, very few have the good fortune of immersing oneself in a place as special as Radley. Surrounded by an exceptional, supportive teaching staff, I have had the opportunity to engage with the intellectual spirit of the Radley boys while also throwing myself into college life, from cocoas in Social to the Choral Society and more. The Cook Fellowship was created to provide fresh life experiences and perspectives from another continent, demonstrating deep engagement with education in the broadest sense. Working with the Academic Director, I have been able to contribute across a variety of year groups and formats, including discussion groups on crucial geopolitical affairs, guest lessons exploring new academic ground outside of course syllabi, and one-on-one sessions bolstering students’ analytical, research, and writing skills. The boys have benefitted from cross-cultural contact, as well as from cross-fertilisation between their coursework and their intellectual pursuits outside of lessons. I have excitedly watched students rise to the challenge of my academic “stretch,” developing more confidence in their ability to engage and dialogue with our modern, complex world. Most importantly, many have grown to adopt an increasingly interdisciplinary and intellectually curious approach to their learning, researching new and diverse topics simply because they are interested. Yet I have learned as much from the Radley boys as they have learned from me. As a result of working with students passionate about climate change, for example, I have developed a burgeoning interest in the issue. I have been inspired by the unparalleled teaching of the Dons around me and have found my work in lectures, seminars, and discussion groups to be so deeply rewarding that I aim to teach again in the future. Most importantly, I have been reminded how much I love learning simply for the sake of learning. Sam Wallace-Perdomo, Cook Fellow (2018-19 & 2019-20)
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Cook Fellowships
“ …many have grown to adopt an increasingly interdisciplinary and intellectually curious approach to their learning.”
Cook Fellowships
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Funds Update
The Silk Fund With the sad news of Dennis Silk’s death in June this year, this important Fund is a wonderful lasting tribute to Radley’s Warden between 1968 and 1991. Upon his retirement Dennis asked that, instead of receiving a cash gift himself from well-wishers, a fund should be set up to provide bursaries for the talented sons of parents who could not otherwise afford the school fees. This capital fund now stands at over £3 million from the Radley community’s generous donations which are still being made. As a result, each year new bursary awards can be offered to deserving boys – a total of 32 boys have benefitted from the Silk Fund so far. The 2019/20 academic year sees one more new Shell join Radley on a Silk Fund award with a total of seven Radleians currently being assisted on full or partial Silk bursary awards.
Armed Forces Fund This fund supports the education of the children of Service men and women of all ranks killed or wounded while serving their country. Thanks to the enormous generosity of the donors to this important fund, the Foundation now supports the education of five children through either Radley, St Mary's Calne or a prep school (bridging the gap before they join their chosen senior school).
The Malcolm Robinson Memorial Fund Malcolm Robinson was Head of History at Radley from 1967- 1974 and the Malcolm Robinson Memorial Fund was set up in 2008 to honour the valuable contribution he made to the education of so many Old Radleians. The fund provides awards to Radleians in the Sixth Form to travel to William & Mary College in the USA during the school holidays to study Early American History. We are delighted to report that two 6.1 boys were successful in gaining a place to attend the course in July 2019. 12
Funds Update
The Hugo Rutland Memorial Fund Created in 2005 after the tragic death of Hugo Rutland (1974 B), this fund provides help for current Radley families facing unforeseen crisis and financial difficulty. We were approached in late 2017 by Hugo’s daughter, Eliza Rutland, as she planned to take on the challenge of the London Marathon 2018 and had chosen the Hugo Rutland Memorial Fund as one of two charities to raise money for. Eliza was overwhelmed by the support that came flooding in from both the Radley community and beyond to support her in her challenge. She raised a remarkable total of over £25,000.
Richard Morgan Award The Richard Morgan Award was established by a generous donation from an Old Radleian to fund a boy’s whole education, including two years at prep school. The OR wanted to pay tribute to Richard Morgan’s achievements at Radley as Don, Tutor and Warden, and asked for the Award to be named in his honour. It is for ‘immediate use’ and to widen entry and fund talented boys whose families could not otherwise afford the fees. This fund is currently fully funding one boy through Radley.
James Wesson Bursary Fund James Wesson arrived at Radley in 1992 and was Tutor of A Social from 1995-2003. His eleven seasons as Master in Charge of cricket is remembered as a golden era for the sport. After James Wesson’s premature death in March 2016 a fund was set up in his memory. Donations were received from Old Radleians, former Radley parents and colleagues who remembered James with great affection and the fund raised over £250,000 in gifts and pledges within just a few weeks. The fund is used for boys from less advantaged backgrounds and, ideally, who have a real passion for cricket. The first recipient of a James Wesson Bursary Award joined Radley in September 2017 and a second bursary has been awarded to a boy who has just joined the Shells in September 2019.
Trustees’ Discretion Many of our donors prefer to give to this Fund so the Trustees of the Radley Foundation can decide which Fund to direct the gift to based on the current needs of the College. In recent months, and in line with the current vision for the College, donations given to the Trustees’ Discretion Fund have been used for immediate use means-tested bursaries, as well as boosting the endowment to help finance future bursary commitments. Funds Update
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NEW FUNDS We are pleased to report on the following newer funds
Greater China Scholarship
Anthony Hudson Scholarship
Seed-funded by an extraordinary act of generosity by one Old Radleian in 2016, Radley has established the Greater China Scholarship. We are incredibly grateful to the many more Old Radleians and parents who have also generously given to this fund, which has now raised almost £375,000.
Anthony Hudson, affectionately known as Huddy, sadly died in 2015. Huddy had been Tutor of F Social from 1970-1984 and Sub-Warden from 1979-1988. Shortly after his death, a number of F Social ORs from around Huddy’s time began discussions about how they might establish a fund in Huddy’s name.
This is a means-tested award for boys from Mainland China and Hong Kong who will contribute to several aspects of Radley life. The fund covers up to 100% of fees and also any necessary coaching in the home territory prior to entry, music lessons, UK guardian fees, English lessons and many other extras including some trips as well as four economy return flights each year.
It was agreed that a scholarship would be set up to support boys who would not otherwise have the chance of coming to Radley, who foster a spirit of excellence at the College, all-rounders whose example could lift those around him; ‘Renaissance Men’ as Huddy would have regarded them.
We are delighted to announce that the second recipient of a Greater China Scholarship joined the Shells in September 2019.
Hamish Aird Foundation Award Hamish retired from Radley in 2016 after fifty years’ service to the College as a much-loved Don, Sub-Tutor, Sub-Warden and latterly a member of Radley’s Development Team. At the time of his retirement, a number of ORs got together and suggested a Foundation Bursary Fund be set up in Hamish’s name to honour his enormous contribution to both Radley and many Old Radleians. It was decided that the Fund would be ‘Immediate Use’ (rather than endowed) and support means-tested bursaries for boys entering the Shell year. Since its launch in 2016, and with the remarkable generosity of Old Radleians, the Fund very quickly grew to almost £250,000. We are pleased to report that, from September 2019, we have two Radley boys benefitting from a Hamish Aird Foundation Award.
Almost £185,000 has so far been raised for the Anthony Hudson Scholarship. This endowed fund generated enough income to enable Radley to offer its first means-tested bursary award in Huddy’s name to a boy who joined the Shells in September 2018.
The Peter & Kewpie Stuart Fund Peter Stuart (1919-2019), who made a life-long contribution to Radley as boy, Master, D Social Tutor and Honorary Secretary of the Radleian Society, died on January 24th at the age of 99. His wife, Kewpie, survives him. Towards the end of 2018, two Old Radleians, Hugh Macmillan (1955 D) and Anthony Westall (1955 D), approached the Radley Foundation with the suggestion to, in some way, mark Peter's 100th birthday. Both he and Kewpie played in the Radley orchestra for many years, so it seemed appropriate to focus on music. After Peter sadly died in January 2019, the focus could not now be on Peter's 100th birthday, but there has been a strong feeling amongst the OR community who knew Peter and Kewpie that a fund should be set up to acknowledge the contribution of both Peter and Kewpie. The establishment of this fund in Peter and Kewpie's names will support music at Radley. It has already raised over £13,000 from the generous support of Old Radleians. In the immediate term, the Precentor, Sam Gladstone, suggested the fund be used to support the recording and production of a new CD of the Radley Choir, which has been dedicated to Peter and Kewpie. This CD is available to purchase from the Radleian Society Shop online.
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New Funds
The combined endowment (of the Foundation and school itself) stands at £28 million. With your support, we hope to grow this in the next 20 years to £130 million, to secure a steady future for Radley.
A new investment str ategy In 2018, Radley made the decision to move both the Foundation and its own combined assets to Oxford University Endowment Management – the first ever non-University of Oxford institution to do so. It is obviously of supreme importance that the assets of the Radley Foundation, gifted so generously by donors, are managed with a view to optimising risk-adjusted returns from those assets over the long term. Only if this is the case will the maximum number of boys benefit from the financial support that the Foundation exists to provide. Until 2018, the Foundation’s assets were managed along traditional lines, in a portfolio of publicly-traded equities and bonds. While this approach generated respectable returns over the years, the Investment Committee had for some time been looking for an opportunity to transition the Foundation’s portfolio to an endowment model of investing. The endowment model varies from the traditional investment model in three principal ways: it is more diversified (embracing asset classes beyond publicly-traded equity and fixed income, such as property and private equity); it tends to run a higher overall equity exposure (minimising allocations to lower return asset classes such as fixed income and commodities); and it seeks to embrace rather than avoid illiquidity (recognising the illiquidity premium that genuinely long-term investors are uniquely in a position to harvest from markets). The endowment model is particularly well-suited to optimising risk-adjusted returns from permanent capital portfolios such as that of the Foundation, and it is no coincidence that it has for many years been the preferred investment methodology of the majority of the world’s leading universities (including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Oxford and Cambridge).
managers don’t offer it as an option, as it requires an investment horizon longer than their more generic client bases can generally tolerate and a level of investment specialisation that mainstream managers ordinarily lack. Those that do offer it tend to do so in an ‘endowment-lite’ format, seeking to square this circle via compromise of one kind or another. The real expertise in endowment investing thus resides in the main with the world’s leading endowments themselves (which includes institutions such as the Wellcome Trust and the Rockefeller Foundation, as well as the leading universities mentioned previously): a genre of institution that is generally in the business of managing their own money rather than that of third parties. It was thus the Foundation’s great good fortune last year, following extensive discussions, to be invited by Oxford University Endowment Management (OUEM) to become their first ever external investor, joining the university itself and over thirty of its colleges in its pooled Oxford Endowment Fund. OUEM, established in 2007, targets a real (i.e. in excess of inflation) return of 5% per annum over time and has comfortably exceeded this target: doing so, moreover, with a volatility of returns less than half that of global equity markets. It also offers a sustainable distribution model which allows the Foundation and its fellow investors to benefit from a predictable income stream from their investments and plan their charitable activities accordingly. Hugh Willis (1973 C) Chair of Radley’s Investment Committee
The issue with the endowment model of investing, however, is that it is difficult for the majority of investors to access. Most investment New Investment Strategy
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Looking ahead In September 2020, the opening of the new L Social will increase the approximate number of boys at Radley to 750. Currently, meanwhile, Chapel is full to the brim every day. The school believes that the daily event of chapel – bringing together boys of all faiths to reflect and sing – is vital to the all-round Radley education.
This is just the most recent development in the current Chapel's long history. Designed by Sir Thomas Jackson in 1890-1892, it started its life with 250 seats and has gone through many subtle refinements over the decades, coping with increasing numbers of students but with minimal changes to its external appearance.
To solve this, expansion of the Chapel commenced in September 2019, increasing the capacity to 800. This will be the first step in ensuring that the whole College can continue coming together as one.
However, with its current 650 seats for 695 boys, and a further 50 students joining the College in 2020, all existing space has been used and the time was right for a more significant re-think.
Work has already started on the extension, which will see the capacity of Chapel grow, a new organ installed, improved lighting and heating systems – all the while the main fabric of the building being meticulously conserved.
Following consultations with boys, staff and members of Council, award winning architects and heritage consultants Purcell created a striking but sympathetic design for the new extension. Purcell originally specialised in church restorations, and has in recent years undertaken work at St Paul’s, Canterbury, Durham, York and Ely cathedrals.
We will ask the wider Radley community to consider supporting this vital investment in the future of the school, in any way they can. More information will be shared very soon. Artist’s impression of the enlarged Chapel
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The Chapel Fund
We will begin by extending outwards from the north and south walls, with four side bays housing new pews. Next, we will construct a sanctuary on the eastern side, with tall lancet windows of stained glass filtering natural light. In 2021, a new organ created by Nicholson & Co. of Malvern will complete the project, sitting in the west gallery.
The Chapel project is unique amongst the many building works we have tackled at the College through the years. All of the existing monuments in Chapel have been carefully removed and stored, piece by piece, whilst the work goes on. The walls will also be carefully removed and we will then start building, brick by brick, stone by stone. This isn’t quick, but it is vital that a building which has been part of the College for 125 years is respected, and that things aren’t rushed. We will need to use modern construction techniques, but we are doing everything possible to make sure that there is a seamless join between old and new. One of the many challenges of this project is the cost of the time and craftsmanship of the work, as well as the materials, but we are all acutely aware of how important Chapel is to generations of Radleians, who hold it in great affection.
David Anderson, Estates Bursar
A tall screen blocks the construction from sight. A clever illusion!
A WORD FROM THE CHAPL AIN I am delighted that Radley College makes such a great investment to create an all-round boy. The College has invested in a new science centre, a new strength and conditioning facility, and are about to extend Chapel; keeping the ideal that a boy develops well when we care for the mind, body and soul. The extension of Chapel will be exciting, where we recognise that we are a single community that gathers together each evening and every boy is included. We respect our diversity and each boy is welcomed to our services of Evensong and Holy Communion for personal reflection, regardless of their faith. The building works in the coming months will therefore be challenging in that we are hoping to keep the regularity of worship, but still having the ambition to make each act of worship special. The building has been divided into two where in one half building work takes place and in the other half we sing Jerusalem (not at the same time I may add). We divide the school, by Social, into two and conduct two services each evening and two services on a Sunday – therefore maintaining the regularity of the boy’s experience of Chapel. I would like to thank the Warden for his ambition to maintain the traditional act of worship and our music team – Precentor and Succentor – who will be increasing their workload immeasurably.
“The project to enlarge College chapel will grow brick by brick, and stone by stone, ensuring the elegance and authenticity of the 19th century building is protected and preserved.”
However, overall I know that the Radley boys will rise to the challenge of Chapel expansion and I have every confidence that they will give me and the school their support.
David Wilson, Chaplain
The Chapel Fund
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HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT the R adley Foundation Many essential aspects of Radley life are only made possible thanks to your support. But we aim to do more.
Remembering us in your will
If you feel inspired to support us, there are a number of ways in which you can help:
Giving via a legacy is a simple, but important, way to help shape the future of Radley. Gifts of this nature often have a lasting impact for generations, passing down the family name for years to come.
Regular gifts provide a reliable source of income and allow us to plan ahead for future projects. These can be made by standing order on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. One-off gifts can be made by credit or debit card on our website or by posting a cheque made payable to The Radley Foundation. Overseas giving – donors in Hong Kong, USA and Canada can make tax efficient gifts. Please contact us for more information. Gifts of shares and securities can offer a double form of tax relief. Please be in touch for more information. Corporate matched giving can make your personal gift even more worthwhile. Please check with your payroll or HR department if such a scheme exists at your company. Gifts of any size really do add up to make a significant impact on the school. Thank you to all who give, in any way they can. We understand that not everyone is able to commit to a gift but still want to help make an impact on Radley. Thank you to everyone who has offered gifts of time and talent to both the Foundation and the Radleian Society.
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How to support us
Remembering a charity such as the Radley Foundation in your will can also significantly reduce your Inheritance Tax bill. A solicitor can advise you more on this. All legators to Radley are invited to become members of the Vyvyan Hope Society, which meets biannually for lunch. Please be in touch to discuss privately how a bequest to Radley can make a long-term benefit. For more information about giving to Radley, please contact: Henry Cosh, Development Manager Henry.cosh@radley.org.uk 01235 548 547
Lucy Johnsson, Development Executive Lucy.johnsson@radley.org.uk 01235 548 543
A closing word from the Senior Prefect My time at Radley has so far been extraordinary. I have had the chance to experience a world-class education to develop my skills in and out of the classroom and I am indebted to the school which has made this possible. Right from the beginning of my time here I have been blown away by the superb academic facilities – my teachers could not have helped me more with my progress, thanks to the astonishing level of education on offer.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Radley Foundation. It is thanks to the generosity of the Radley community – the Old Radleians, parents, dons, staff, friends – that we are able to provide the best possible support, opportunities and facilities for boys and their families.
Sports at Radley have also given me some of my best life experiences. As a rugby player and a rower, I have been overwhelmed by the new installations: the McKenna Strength and Conditioning Centre, the Jock Mullard Rowing Tank, the quality of coaches and the condition of the pitches have helped me rise to the highest level of both sports and come close to competing at an international level. My saxophone skills have also been transformed and I am now more than happy to play in front of crowds when I was previously riddled with nerves. Moving forward as senior prefect I hope to develop the school in many ways, including even more involvement with ORs – more news on that to come! Radley undoubtedly helps shape us into well-rounded young men of a great quality who are ready for the challenges the world presents them with. Thank you to all who support Radley and the Foundation.
Fred Dreyer, Senior Prefect (2019-20)
Trustees of the Radley Foundation Mr Thomas Seymour (Chairman)
Mr Richard Huntingford
Ms Victoria Chapman (from September 2019)
Mr Gerald Kaye
Mr Simon Eccles-Williams
Mr Simon Shaw
Mr Guy Heald
Mr David Smellie
Mr Rupert Henson (retired from role September 2019)
Mr Mark Soundy
Mr Sam Melluish
Mr William Maydon
All current Foundation Trustees are Old Radleians and/or former parents.
With thanks to Edmund Blok for much of the photography shown in this report.
Radley College Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 2HR
Telephone 01235 543 000
www.radley.org.uk Reg Charity number: 272671