Founded in 1847 by Reverend William Sewell, a Fellow at Exeter College, Radley
was built in the vision of an Oxford University College. With the quadrangles
and cloisters, teachers as ‘dons’ and boys donning gowns, Radley was in danger
of looking like an affected, young mimic of its university template.
Brilliantly built and charmingly understated, they avoid that negative
comparison. Set in a beautiful self-contained 800 acre estate in prime
Oxfordshire countryside, Radley is elegant and modest with none of the
pretentiousness we feared. The boys fit into the same categories. With some of
the best of 18th and 19th century architecture, the surroundings inspire
pupils and teachers (sorry, ‘dons’) alike. “We are really spoilt; the grounds
are lovely: peaceful and beautiful and, when we get bored, there’s always
Oxford.” Right; and the Downe House girls.
Background and Reputation
Strong in the arm, but by no means thick in the head, Radley boys (known as
Radleians) have an all-round decent demeanour. Current head, Angus McPhail, is
determined that the school’s approach to education remains in the vision of
its founder. As well as having an emphasis on “good manners and kindness”
(William Sewell), McPhail is keen to instil “tolerance, inquisitiveness,
perseverance [and] humility” into the boys as they develop into men. Largely
speaking, we think that he has triumphed in this ambition. Gentlemanly and
chivalrous, the boys are charming, self-assured and engaging. If anything, the
parents were more inclined to show off than the boys. One delighted mother we
spoke to was not only wildly sycophantic in her praise for the school, but
used our interview as an opportunity to brag about how brilliant her son was!
To the boy’s credit (and to Radley’s) he sat next to her blushing furiously
and occasionally raising an eye to heaven when it all got too much for him to
handle. There is no doubt that there is an excellent school culture in which
the boys’ achievements are celebrated but not venerated in a way that
encourages arrogance. Hat’s off to them. One of the few remaining all-boys,
all-boarding schools in the country, Radley has no plans to change. With its
balanced approach between traditional and modern education, why should it.
Academic and Exit Results
Reluctant to introduce International Baccalaureate or Pre-Us (Pre-university
qualifications that aim to prepare students for higher education with a more
exciting and challenging syllabus than the current A-levels provide), Radley
makes the boys take both their AS and A2s in the final year. Stemmed from the
belief that boys are late developers, the results speak for themselves –
nearly 70 per cent of boys got A*s and As in 2012. Most of the boys take four
subjects through to A2 and are encouraged to select a broad range (i.e. not
all Science or all Humanities but a combination of the two). This gives the
boys a “wider education and a more varied field of interests”. Another
advantage of this approach is that lots of time is freed up in Lower Sixth
and, as a result, the school can educate the boys beyond the constraints of
the curriculum. They introduced an impressive lecture programme, ‘Standing on
the Shoulders of Giants’, which aims to broaden the boys’ minds and inspire
long-lasting interests in subjects beyond the mainstream syllabus. They can
boast a strong language department with excellent results in Latin and Greek
alongside the more ‘contemporary’ Russian and Mandarin. History is hugely
popular and many go on to read it at university. Though they don’t offer
separate Sciences at GCSE, the boys receive a good enough foundation to extend
into A-levels, and many boys do. In terms of their SEN offering, we must admit
we have seen more sophisticated approaches. That said, mild dyslexia is
supported in a discreet fashion by caring part-time staff.
Sport, Art, Music and Drama
It is on the sports fields that Radleians really do come to life. Enthusiastic
and competitive, Radley has excellent sporting facilities. They have an A
grade sports pavilion, where those not taking part often come to support. With
its own nine-hole golf course there is plenty for the boys who don’t dominate
the rugby or hockey pitches. Rowing is really centre-stage and Radley is
usually near the top of the tables at Henley and the National Schools’
Regatta. Music at Radley is commendable; their famous Piano Extravaganza (in
which huge numbers of boys of varying talent take part in a multiple-piano
medley, playing fun pieces from popular musicals) is a sight worth seeing.
They set aside an hour every day for the boys to engage in “music, culture and
creative activities.” This means that all pupils (whether formally studying
any of the ‘arts’ or not) are encouraged to at least experiment in this
domain. The results are wonderful – brilliant and varied art works hang on
display throughout the school buildings and the sound of music fills the
corridors.
Social and Pastoral
The boys live in one of ten ‘socials’ (boarding houses). The younger boys are
given cubicles within dorms and the older boys have rather superior single
rooms (more hotel than boarding school with their personal safes and
fridges!). A rather nice lasting tradition is that of ‘cocoa’ – the ritual
that each evening the boys of every age congregate in the house common rooms
and bond over a warm cup of cocoa. Sounds a little “Sound of Music”, but we
are assured that they all love it. The boys are far from locked up. There are
formal exeats either side of half term and they are allowed, even encouraged,
to go home after chapel on Sundays. Saturday nights are a jolly affair with
pizza and fizzy drinks in house.
There is a wide range of activities on offer – from French cookery lessons to
pilates. The boys are encouraged to take part as much as they desire and to
find something above and beyond the classroom that they feel passionate about.
This is a venerable characteristic of the school and one that puts the boys in
good stead for future life and fulfilment.