sixth form opportunities
“We must be good sons, brothers, husbands, servants, masters” William Sewell, Founder of the College
Joining the Sixth Form
Beyond Radley
Intellectual curiosity and a love for learning characterise the ambitious young men who join our Sixth Form every year. We have opportunities for boys of outstanding talent - be that in Academic, Art, Drama, Music or Sport - and our Funded Places scheme can provide means tested bursaries up to 100% of the fees.
There has never been a better time to be a Radley College Sixth Former in terms of success rates to elite universities across Maths, Sciences, Languages, Classics, English and the Humanities. Four out of five leavers are going to their first choice universities with 85% going to Russell Group universities, or top Colleges abroad.
What can I expect?
Boarding
We offer an environment for ambitious boys to grow in self-confidence, thrive academically, and make the most of an enormous range of opportunities and outstanding facilities. Our belief is that we can stretch and inspire students who bring with them new ideas, ambition and the confidence to challenge us and further strengthen our community.
We combine the best elements of a traditional all-boys boarding school with an aspirational educational environment where each boy is encouraged and challenged in the pursuit of excellence. We recognise that a boarding education is a new concept to some and we would be delighted to talk further or to arrange a time when you can visit us.
A SIXTH FORM EDUCATION We endeavour to train Sixth Formers in the ability to learn independently and encourage an excitement across the breadth of co-curricular opportunities and scholarly commitments. We equip boys to: be more independent in their thinking and practice; take greater ownership over their academic work; be able to make a successful transition to university level study; engage fruitfully in extension work of their own choosing;
We aim to: make an externally recognised extension qualification (EPQ) available for a Radleian’s UCAS application, thereby: providing quantifiable evidence of a boy’s academic aptitude and potential, which can be used in combination with predicted A-level grades; demonstrating to universities a boy’s ability to pursue independent study; providing an opportunity for certain universities to reduce grade offers based on the attainment of a specified EPQ grade (e.g. Newcastle);
tailor their study to particular interests, which may or may not emerge from existing A-level study;
adding greater academic ‘punch’ to a personal statement.
investigate subjects or areas not covered specifically in Radley’s A-level options (e.g. Engineering, Law, Environmental Science, International Relations) through elements of the Curriculum Extension Programme, helping boys to decide whether or not to study them at university.
Sixth Form Video There is a large variety of exciting A-level combinations, which can lead to the study of a wide range of stimulating courses, at top-class universities. To find out more, please watch our Sixth Form video here.
Pastoral Care
Careers
There is an incredibly dedicated group of teachers and support staff who are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that the boys are well lookedafter in all aspects of their lives.
Sixth form students recieve valuable mentoring to assist careers exploration. There are talks at College, visits to companies and an annual careers conference held in the Summer Term. Students receive the latest graduate employment trends and the majority choose to undergo interview practice.
The school is divided into boarding houses (Socials) of approximately 70 and each Social has a number of communal spaces where boys can relax together, whether that be watching television, playing table tennis or making toast in the Cocoa Room. Each Social provides a happy and supportive community in which all feel valued and fulfilled and where friends are made for life.
The independent careers adviser is available for all Sixth Formers and the Careers Library stocks a number of books, magazines, and prospectuses on careers and gap year opportunities. There are also materials to help study skills, decision making, self-awareness, CV completion and interview techniques.
CO-CURR ACTIV There is an enormous range of co-curricular activities at Radley College, allowing every boy the opportunity to find his niche or his own particular enthusiasm. Our aim is to provide an environment where students of all abilities can strive for success. There is plenty of opportunity to explore sports at Radley. Besides all the formal sports on offer, such as football, rugby, cricket, rowing and tennis, boys can participate in a wide variety of physical activity such as cross country, golf and basketball. Boys are also encouraged to gain a sense of service and community as NCOs in the CCF programme. There is a huge range of other Wednesday Activities including: Foreign Cinema, Master Chef and Journalism. Musical activities include the Choir, Orchestra and a plethora of different ensembles. Competitions include the Ferguson Singing Prize, the Hudson String Prize, the Guitar Prize, the Wharton Piano Prize, the Gunn Cup for Woodwind and Brass and the Percussion Prize. There are opportunities to form bands and
RICULAR VITIES record live, with the Battle of the Bands always popular. The Drama Department offers a vibrant programme of activities throughout the school year. There are annual Drama competitions as well as workshops and year group plays. Our productions are supported by stage crews who have access to state-ofthe-art technical equipment. Many boys are also involved in the thriving Video Unit. The Radley School of Art and the Design Engineering Department are situated at the very heart of the College in Clocktower Court. Within the five purpose-built and fully equipped art studios, there are facilities for painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, computer graphics and digital photography. As part of the co-curricular programme, the boys can work alongside each other to develop their artistic skills and to experiment with new ideas and concepts on art projects for their own personal pleasure.
CURRICULUM EXTENSION Academic life in the sixth form at Radley is about a lot more than A-levels. The Curriculum Extension Programme (CEP) gives boys the opportunity to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons.
International Relations
In different ways, all CEP subjects promote and develop the kind of study skills that are needed to flourish at university, as well as providing an opportunity for boys to try something new that will make them a more wellrounded person as a result.
Film Studies
Reading for Pleasure Extended Writing (EPQ) Astrophysics
German LAMDA Philosophy Portuguese Robotics
The CEP options include a wide range of options: Mini-MBA
Chemistry research Natural History
Art AS Chinese History of Art Music Technology
Please follow this link to read more about the the Curriculum Extension Programme.
Please contact Admissions for more information: admissions@radley.org.uk