EVERY Radleian has been the beneficiary of the generations that have gone before; every generation has inherited opportunities that are the envy of their predecessors. All too often, these developments came about just after you had left – new classrooms and laboratories; study bedrooms in place of dormitories; the Sewell Centre instead of the corrugated iron arts school and the carpentry shop; the Sports Centre and the Astroturf, in addition to the Barker Gym and the pitches. These developments and many more were made possible by the generosity of Old Radleians and parents of Old Radleians – ORs and parents who chose to become benefactors.

Some are well known names in Radley’s history, such as Couzens and Thompson, who left legacies to provide scholarships, and Brigadier Radford, whose legacy provided the athletics track which is named after him. The vast majority were not particularly wealthy in a worldly sense. They held their school in affection and wanted to give something back. Thus, they set an example that carried the torch of generosity from one generation to the next.

If Radley has depended on benefactors in the past, the needs of the present are just as great. To provide a fine education in the 21st century is more expensive than ever as the College Council acknowledged when it created the Foundation. The objective of every good school is to develop the potential of all its students to the full: the objective of the Foundation is to develop the potential of Radley, so that it becomes an even better school. One way in which you can support the Foundation is through a legacy in your Will and this brochure sets out the advantages of such giving.

This is a great venture for the coming decades and if, over the years, you can follow the example of your predecessors as benefactors, then the Foundation will indeed become the engine of Radley’s future.