Academic Information

Independent Learning
 

The conscious espousal of Independent Learning as a desirable goal is a relatively recent phenomenon. A generation ago it was a given and schools and examiners expected 6th Formers, certainly, to read and think much more for themselves. A combination of public scrutiny through league tables, and the Curriculum 2000 A levels which put a premium on rehearsed exam technique have militated against both risk-taking, and the relaxation of control inherent in letting pupils research and learn for themselves. Societal (technological and cultural) changes, which have led young people to want immediate answers and make them impatient with the timescale of research and wide reading, have probably exacerbated this trend.

Yet it is important for us to aspire to train Radleians to be independent; they should think and discover for themselves, they should be prepared to cope with university demands where they must synthesise from books, articles and lecture notes and subsequently write for themselves; and for their careers, too, they will need to manage, and think critically about, a wealth of information, and make independent judgements which can be rigorously defended.

'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants'

Radley College’s Independent Learning Programme, ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’, began in 2009. Our aim is to excite and inspire Sixth-formers, encouraging them to think outside the exam syllabuses and pursue knowledge for its own rewards. The Programme will also guide Sixth-formers in the Planning and Research skills needed for successful sixth-form and university study.Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ takes three forms:

First, a series of Lectures on topics as wide-ranging as ‘Astronomy’ and ‘African-American Cinema’. Each Lecture topic will be tackled by two Radley dons, enthusing about their own intellectual passions.

The Lectures will then be followed up by small seminar groups, where Sixth-formers and dons will debate and discuss issues raised by the Lectures, with guidance given to boys on possible research resources and skills.

Finally, Radleians applying to highly-competitive Oxbridge or Medicine courses will undertake Edexcel’s AS level 6,000 word ‘Extended Essay’. They will be helped here by dons with significant research experience, on a subject of their choice, inspired by the Programme. All other sixth-formers will also undertake a 2,000 word Project on a topic, again inspired by the Lecture Programme.

‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ promises to be an exciting development - one with huge benefits for Radleians: both in terms of developing research skills and successfully planning written projects.