“ respect for tradition lives harmoniously with tolerance, intellectual curiosity, humour and humanity.” Good Schools Guide
INTRODUCTION I RADLE Y I 01
Welcome to Radley Welcome to the Radley prospectus. We hope it gives you a flavour of who and what we are and a real sense of the purpose, drive and sheer enjoyment of a Radley education. As parents, if you are anything like me, you want some simple things for your son. You want them to succeed academically, grow in self-confidence, develop their talents and discover new interests. You want them to have had a breadth of experience, to be culturally aware, and to be prepared for the world beyond school. You want them to leave as young men you can be proud of with a set of friends for life. Above all, you want them to be happy and fulfilled. At Radley, we want the same, for each and every one of our boys. We are fortunate to have a stunning rural setting inspired by the nearby city – and university – of Oxford, with quality of facilities to match.
But we are much better defined by people than buildings; above all, we pride ourselves on being a close and supportive community where all are cared for, and all can thrive. Choosing a school for your son is far from easy. We do not take lightly the trust we are asking parents to place in us. I hope you find what you are looking for at Radley. I am confident you will.
John Moule Warden
a close community which celebrates individuality
“I have spent thirteen years trying to make my son as happy as possible; you have achieved it in just three weeks.” New parent to Warden
COMMUNITY I RADLEY I 03
“ His Social positively fizzes with a warm and welcoming atmosphere – his Tutor is clearly an inspirational character, totally committed to providing the best home from home support for the boys in his care.” Mother - son in Removes
We are a close-knit boarding community where all are involved. We have eleven Socials (boarding houses), each of which has a high standard of accommodation, from the boys’ rooms to the communal spaces that are such a key part of their daily lives. All meals are served centrally, helping boys to develop friendships across Socials. The happy and homely atmosphere of the boarding house is the crucial building block to success here. Each don is attached to a Social and boys are mentored effectively throughout their time here by senior boys, their Form Master, Pastoral House Mistress and Tutor. Beyond the formal structures, however, is a core emphasis on strong relationships at every level. Everyone is expected to care for everyone else.
We are proud of our Christian ethos and the place of daily Chapel in our community, and we want the boys to develop qualities of humility, kindness, responsibility and duty. Each of them is encouraged, challenged and expected to become a self-aware, confident, caring and independent young man so that when he leaves, he will be ready for the world beyond school: able to engage, lead, and shape his own future successfully.
COMMUNITY I RADLEY I 05
“When I arrived at Radley I was struck by Chapel’s peaceful atmosphere and the stillness maintained by the whole congregation, followed by rousing hymn-singing.” New Don
Inspiring boys to become outstanding young men
A S P I R AT I O N I R A D L E Y I 0 7
“ Pupils achieve the highest standards across an extremely wide range of activities. The quality of the pupils’ achievement and learning is exceptional.” ISI Report
“ So many dons are really passionate about their subject.” 6.2 boy
We are unashamed in our pursuit of excellence. Boys are encouraged to better themselves, to be ambitious, to achieve their best: in and beyond the classroom, in mind, body and spirit. We teach them that this is not just about their talent but about their approach; to succeed, they need to work hard, set goals, and be determined. There are extraordinary opportunities at Radley. In Sport, in Music, in Drama, boys will learn to work in a team.
Through the many societies on offer, they will be exposed to new ideas and experiences. Trips in and out of term, nationally and internationally, broaden their minds. A talented Common Room is here to help and inspire at every turn. And if, through that inspirational provision – in quality and quantity - we show them what success looks like, we create a spark that will light a fire.
08 I RADLEY I LEADERSHIP
Boys should develop as with natural authority,
“ I was thrilled that my son was lucky enough to be part of the Radley Sailing event - the whole thing provided just the kind of challenging, exciting and empowering activity that you hope children will experience.” Parent following Radley Sailing at Cowes Week
We want the boys to develop as leaders. Some will lead with natural authority, others more quietly, but we expect all to have the confidence to be themselves, to stand up for what is right and to set an example to others. They must develop resilience and character: they must be stretched: taking on new things, being exposed to risk, and learning to fail as well as succeed with grace and fortitude. It might be through being on stage as part of our annual Declamations competition, or as a tour guide; as part of the
CCF, captain of a team, or member of a Social Committee; when asked to introduce a speaker, take part in a debate, organise Social Prayers, or direct a project based piece of work; it might be when they are lost on a DofE trip, losing a match at halftime, or talking to a patient with Alzheimers on a Community Service visit . . . it might simply be when asked for an opinion around the table during an evening Cocoa: all will be expected to show leadership. It is a quality we prize.
leaders. Some will lead others more quietly.
“ My son was rather nervous and unsure before he left; he came home as a matured young man, excited about all the challenges he had faced and touched by the people he met.” Father, following son’s school trip to Tanzania
10 I RADLEY I LEADERSHIP
“Staff and senior pupils provide fine role models, and the care shown by older pupils for younger ones is exemplary.” ISI Report
1 2 I R A D L E Y I C U LT U R E
“ Like all things in life, you don’t realise how great things are until you no longer have them. This is certainly the case with Radley.” Old Radleian
An aesthetic appreciation is fundamental The original vision of William Sewell to found a school with a true appreciation of the aesthetic stands the test of time. He saw that the environment in which education took place mattered and we remain true to that vision. When a boy sees on a day to day basis the lovely rural campus, the stunningly kept playing fields, the grandeur of the Chapel and the Mansion, the modern architecture of the Queen’s and Clock Tower Court buildings: he begins to understand beauty.
But there is more to it than that; it’s also the art that hangs in the Sewell Gallery and around the College, the daily hymn singing that fills the Chapel, the quality and number of dramatic productions in the Theatre, the myriad concerts in the Silk Hall and elsewhere, and the number and range of lectures in the Coffee Shop. We believe that culture matters and is not just the province of the few: it is core to a good education.
“Boys should experience something above the ordinary.” William Sewell, Founder
1 4 I R A D L E Y I C U LT U R E
“We wish to surround the boys with an atmosphere breathing greatness and goodness.” The Revd Singleton, First Warden
We want boys to love learning and to be inspired
I N S P I R AT I O N I R A D L E Y I 1 7
“ It was fun to have an intellectual discussion ... it was some of the best conversation I’ve ever had and the hot chocolate with cream was amazing!” Thank you letter from a Shell boy after Cocoa with the Warden
“ It was fascinating to hear other people’s points of view and re-evaluate some of my own.” 6.2 boy after joint conference with local girls’ school
Results matter and we pride ourselves on the quality of teaching that we provide to ensure that each boy reaches their potential in terms of their academic performance, securing the grades that will help them achieve their university place or qualification they need. But we are not a factory; we want boys to love learning, and to be inspired. We encourage intellectual curiosity and provide countless opportunities to explore, develop and discuss ideas. Academic aspiration does not finish as the lesson ends or the prep session comes to a close.
It is found in the conversation with a don over lunch, in the debate after Social Prayers, in the reading of a book, in the casual discussion in the Coffee Shop, in the attendance at a voluntary lecture, in the pursuit of an idea, in the founding of a new academic society, in a quiet hour in the library. It is, fundamentally, about an overall ethos and culture which encourages boys to think, and to enjoy thinking.
1 8 I R A D L E Y I I N N O VAT I O N
Leading the way in how and what we teach
“ Additional academic activities such as debating in French, creative writing and the Anglo-Japanese science presentation, together with external and internal speakers in societies, offer additional enrichment and challenge.” ISI Report
“ I particularly enjoyed your idea of starting what I perceived to be an ‘argument society’ – I hope that becomes a regular event and will start preparing my winning argument immediately.” Letter from 6.1 boy to the Warden
Schools must never stand still. We are always looking to improve what we do and to make the most of the latest methods. We are never interested in innovation for its own sake – the old ways are often still the best – but we would always seek to lead the way in how and what we teach. We see it in a Design Department which embraces the need to develop creative engineers of the future; a Languages Department that bucks the trend in terms of boy participation and success; a strength and conditioning programme which
embraces the best of modern techniques; a Science exchange with Japan, a Maths exchange with Shanghai, a Music exchange with Kent School, Connecticut; and in a new curriculum project with a local girls’ school. We rely on a strong technological infrastructure, a willingness to innovate, a desire to share the very best practice and a presumption that we can always do things better.
I N N O VAT I O N I R A D L E Y I 2 1
“I love all the sport here. However, I think it is the staff and teachers that really make Radley the great place it is.”
Shell boy
22 I RADLEY I THE FUTURE
“There will always be those that win prizes but it struck me that it is the strength and depth of boys with balance, thoughtfulness and social values that leaves Radley in good shape.” Parent of leaver
A Radley education is for life The future matters too. We want the boys to enjoy their time here and to remember it fondly; but above all, we want them to leave as young men ready to face the world beyond Radley. They leave with a core set of timeless values. They leave as confident young men, used to social, cultural and academic engagement with girls. They leave well-informed and prepared for the next step, whether it be for university or their career beyond.
They leave connected through a vibrant Radleian Society that gives access to networks and expertise. And they leave engaged within a cultural framework that allows them to understand and appreciate the world in which they live. A Radley education is for life. We measure success not just by outcomes at the age of eighteen but, more importantly, by what Radleians go on to do and to be.
24 I RADLE Y I NE XT STEPS
A Visit is the best way to experience Radley The Admissions Office would be delighted to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Sophie Langdale, Director of Admissions and Communications Radley College, Radley, Abingdon, OX14 2HR Email: admissions@radley.org.uk Tel: 01235 543 174
“For me it was also a trip back in time; I felt that Radley had lost none of its charm, with the atmosphere being one of warm conviviality underpinned with a thirst for learning.” Old Radleian and prospective parent
Radley College • Abingdon • Oxfordshire • OX14 2HR Telephone 01235 543 174
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