The raw statistics of A level results before any re-marks and appeals show that this was a record year, with A/B grades exceeding the 90.06% of 2007. The number of A grades soared and more than 2 in every 3 papers was a top grade, an exceptional performance. 65 boys in a year group of 122 achieved 3 As or more; 9 boys achieved 5 As and 2 6As. A number of candidates were commended for very high marks: 7 boys, variously in Further Maths, Art and Biology, were in the top 10 nationally.

These results may be even better once appeals and re-marks have been carried out. Our experience of initially inaccurate marking in past years was one of the prime reasons why we joined Eton, St Paul's and Winchester in refusing, for the first time, to publish our exam results this August. Raw results have been used to compile often misleading League Tables, which take no account of later re-marks and upgrades. We are also opposed to League Tables because increasingly schools are being compared despite doing different exams (IB, A level and Pre-U); it has not been possible so far to establish a just equivalence. Finally, at Radley we have deep misgivings about the manipulations which some have adopted to massage League Table positions; we have had no truck with the policy of entering candidates for soft 'A' levels, or excluding under-performing pupils after GCSE from the 6th Form; many schools, sadly, have proved to be less scrupulous.

At GCSE a less academically able year group than last year's nevertheless came close to matching the results of 2007 when 81.4% A*/A was recorded. Some raw results are the subject of appeal, again justifying the decision not to publish until November. Nevertheless it is already possible to say that at least 36 boys achieved 10 A* or A or more (4 of them all A*). It is clear, too, that IGCSE, taken by all boys in Maths and Science, is a more demanding exam than GCSE and – equally – it is more difficult to achieve A*s.

Both sets of public exam results exemplify qualities the ISI Inspection team in February 2008 identified: 'outstanding' attitudes to learning among the boys where a strong work ethic prevails; and 'first class teaching' in the Common Room, where teaching dons habitually 'go the extra mile' for their pupils. There is no study leave at Radley; lessons carry on for 5th Formers into mid-June, and revision sessions for A level candidates are put on in the evenings and at weekends throughout the exam period. Inspectors also recognised the central role that the Learning Support team has in the school's academic success; dozens of boys this year achieved top grades thanks to the efforts of this department.

We are conscious that such excellent and dedicated teaching can breed over-reliance and in the coming year we will be finalising reforms of the non-examinable timetable in 6.1 (the General Studies programme) to enable more independent learning and research through an extended project equivalent to an AS level. Boys will follow a course of Science and Philosophy, choose an area of special interest and then research and write a 5-6,000 word essay on this enthusiasm.

At the same time we will continue to monitor the implementation nationally of the new Cambridge Pre-U examination. Should it go well, and if it is clear that top universities understand and accept it, then we will be tempted to extend our involvement, especially if a future Labour government seeks to replace A level with a less academically rigorous Diploma.

Andrew Reekes
Sub Warden