The Respect Project

The Respect Project 2021 –

It is wonderful to look back on three years of our pioneering partnership with Downe House. The partnership has instilled confidence and empathy in the pupils involved, allowing them to debate key societal issues effectively and benefit from a variety of viewpoints. We look forward to building on these strong foundations over the coming years.

Lydia Robinson, Respect Partnership Lead

CELEBRATING THREE YEARS

Radley College embarked on the Respect Project with Downe House in 2021.

Created at Radley College, the project aims to promote relationships of respect between students at the two schools.

There are three strands: Academic, social and co-curricular partnership activities between Radley and Downe House students.

Relationship education offered through PSHE and the work of the Sixth Form Ambassadors.

Research conducted by author and consultant, Chloe Combi.

VISION

Radley College is deeply committed to single sex education but recognises the benefits of targeted and meaningful collaboration with Downe House.

The Respect Project fosters friendship and respect through regular academic, social and co-curricular activities. The comradeship that has developed between the two schools allows pupils to debate significant societal issues, ensuring contrasting perspectives are heard, valued and respected.

Central to the project is a collaborative RSE programme which involves in depth discussions on key societal issues and Sixth Form Ambassadors being trained to lead sessions with younger students.

By working togetheron mutually beneficial projects, both schools provide all studentswithdirect and meaningful experience of working withthe opposite sex, preparing them fully forlife beyond school while retainingthe integrity and value of single sex education.

In formalising our long-standing links,we ensure thatplans are sustainable,andthe impactis measurable.

OBJECTIVES

To create relationships of respect between students

To provide opportunities for personal development

Through academic, social and co-curricular interactions, students will develop respect for each other. Younger students will have male and female role models, ensuring that different perspectives are valued and that respectful relationships are embedded within school culture.

Shared experiences will lead to a sense of familiarity; relationships will be normalised and sexual harassment/online sexual abuse made less likely.

Through collaborative activities, students will develop greater empathy and tolerance, skills which will enable them to sustain healthy relationships throughout their lives.

Students will have opportunities to reflect on their interactions, promoting self-awareness and emotional maturity.

Leadership skills will be enhanced and students will be empowered to recognise and tackle issues of inequality in all its forms.

To provide opportunities for academic excellence

Student exposure to academic success in both schools will benefit all involved and improve standards. Boys and girls will work together to improve study skills for revision, boosting exam performance.

Boys and girls will learn to collaborate effectively, preparing them effectively for university and the world of work.

MEASURING IMPACT

We measure the success of our objectives through formal benchmarking of attitudes and opinions conducted by Chloe Combi. All students were surveyed in 2021-22 and 2023-24.

PUPIL VOICE

Students are at the heart of the project and leaders are appointed at the end of their 6.1 year by the existing 6.2 leaders. Will Rosling currently leads the project.

Shells are trained in the Michaelmas term on the project’s objectives and their involvement.

RSE

Sixth form ambassadors have been established in each Social. The same format operates at Downe House. Ambassadors in both schools have been trained together by Natalie Hunt and support our RSE provision by working with small groups of younger students to discuss talks they have been given by external experts.

EXTERNAL EXPERT

We have worked with Chloe Combi since the project’s inception and she has provided inset to staff at both schools, presented to parents and regularly leads sessions with students.

Most recently, Chloe has spoken to the Fifths about relationships and identity, to the 6.1s on Healthy Masculinity and to 6.2 on the Future is Bright.

DEPARTMENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Biology

English History

Art Geography

Science Theology Languages

Classics

PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES

ACADEMIC CO-CURRICULAR

Led by the students, sporting activities have formed a key part of the partnership, including hockey and lacrosse matches and socials involving rounders and croquet. This term, the students will collaborate at the Countryside Centre and in a CCF Competition day.

Key academic highlights are the annual Humanities Symposium and Science Symposium, which involve multiple departments and interactions with 6.1 and Remove students.

Other events of note are the joint 6.1 Resilience Conference, Shell Global Issues Conference and regular Crowson Society meetings.

SOCIAL

All Socials have hosted BBQs in the Summer where garden games are enjoyed by all. Sixth Form students also have the opportunity to cook and host dinner parties within Social.

Heads of Year have organised bowling socials and trips to Downe House’s Winter Funfair. All Sixth Form students are invited to join in with reeling and attend the annual Caledonian Society Ball.