School crest
A chemistry lesson

CURRICULUM

Radley, like many other leading schools, has a broad curriculum in its first three years and a wide choice of A level subjects in the Sixth Form, details of which can be found at the back of this prospectus in Appendix A. Boys’ personal, social and health education is first addressed in the Shell curriculum, but thereafter Social-based groups led by trained Form Masters deal with issues like alcohol, smoking, drug education and sexuality.

TEACHING AND SUPPORT

The ISI inspection in 2002 found that the teaching was one of Radley’s greatest strengths. First class teaching and close monitoring of each individual enables boys to achieve very high standards. Diagnostic tests of new boys, and a constant dialogue between the Head of Learning Support and subject teachers, allow boys experiencing some learning difficulty to be identified and receive individual help; of equal importance, academic societies for each year group give scholarly, intellectually curious boys the opportunity to discuss broadening, philosophical issues.

LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT

It is a feature of Radley that the boys’ attitudes to learning and to their work are impressive and this has direct impact on the standards achieved, which are high. Self-motivation and excellent teaching enable Radleians to make great advances whilst at the school. Many boys of average ability, who have cleared Radley’s 55% Common Entrance hurdle, achieve A level results comparable with the very best of academic day schools. The MidYIS value added tests taken by all independent school pupils show that, on average, Radleians achieve half a grade higher in each of their GCSE subjects when compared with pupils at schools with a comparable intake.

A LEVEL STRATEGY

Radley is unique amongst independent schools in the way it tackles AS/A2 exams. Boys choose four subjects and carry through to A level with all four; we strongly advise that one of these be a contrasting subject, so that scientists, for example, take a language, or English or History and those on the arts side take Maths or Chemistry.

We also insist that all exams be taken at the end of the Sixth Form (Year 13) which has preserved the Summer term of 6.1 for games, drama, music and work in the community. More importantly greater teaching time across the two years of the Sixth Form allows us to go beyond the syllabus and it has permitted boys to take AS levels with greater maturity than examinees in comparable schools. Our strategy for the Sixth Form is under constant review and we continue to look at other possible exam systems, including the I.B. and the Cambridge Pre-U examination.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Radley is also known for its use of Information Technology. The internal reporting system which ensures regular comments on boys’ work functions entirely through a computer-based, campus-wide network; departments have seamlessly integrated computer-use into their schemes of work; and boys are taught increasingly advanced skills through curriculum IT lessons bringing them up to the standard required for level 2 Key Skills.

THE WIDER CURRICULUM

An unintentional consequence of the new AS/A2 examinations has been that in many schools the increase in examining has squeezed out the broad General Studies curriculum.We have retained a compulsory 6.1 Educational Cycle in which all boys are taught units on Critical Thinking, Presentation Skills, Information Technology and Citizenship. In addition, all departments run subject-based extra-curricular societies. Boys in 6.2 have a weekly lecture given by a distinguished visiting speaker in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms and over the years we have heard many important and stimulating talks (see Appendix B). Their subjects have included foreign affairs, the state of parliamentary democracy, the future of the Lords, the impact of 9/11, disability, Northern Ireland, the impact of IT on business, global warming, the power of the media, the prospect for the World economy, Mozart and opera, nutrition and sport. Equally, our sports and cultural tours to South Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, and Europe have had a wide educational value.

REPORTING AND UNIVERSITY CHOICE

In their academic and intellectual education boys are guided by Tutors and Form Masters. There are formal Parents’ Meetings each year and parents are encouraged to visit Radley, whenever they wish, for a discussion with any of their sons’ teachers. Academic concerns are dealt with by the Sub Warden or Tutors. Regular reports within a term provide information on a boy’s progress, and a full report is sent to parents at the end of each term. In the Sixth Form the Form Master is a motivator and supporter of academic work ensuring the development of proper study skills. He is also an important adviser on university choice, helping in the choice of course and institution and working with the Director of University Entrance, who oversees Radley’s university strategy. About two thirds of Radleians take a gap year and approximately 50% wait to apply to university until they have received their A level results. Almost all pupils go on to university, very largely to Oxford, Cambridge and the Russell Group of universities.

The Library
LIBRARY AND TEACHING FACILITIES

The Richard Morgan Library was opened in 1996 at the heart of the school and over 12,000 loans are made each year. With its extensive book, CD, video and DVD stocks, its computer network and its on-line research facilities, it has become a model of good practice for other schools. The school website, and the editing of department intranet sites, are centred here and the Library trains all boys in data research and retrieval skills.

The facilities for teaching have been transformed over the last decade, with the opening in 2000 of the David Rae Smith Building incorporating English, Modern Languages and a Studio Theatre; an upgrading of the Science Schools, and the inauguration in 1997 of a magnificent academic building, Queen’s Court, housing six departments with Information Technology at its centre. Together with the Library, these generous, modern teaching spaces have given a clear message about Radley’s priorities to boys, Common Room and parents. A new 400 seat theatre was opened in 2005.

CAREERS

Few boys will decide on their ultimate career whilst still at school. However, all boys are made aware of the opportunities and the competition that faces them after their years at university, and are encouraged to look at the job market from a European and World view rather than from a limited U.K. perspective.

Advice and assistance is available on a wide range of career possibilities through a team led by the Director of Careers. University prospectuses and careers literature are available in the Careers Centre in the Library. The school is a member of ISCO (The Independent Schools Careers Organisation) and close contacts are maintained with industry, commerce and the Services. Visits and talks by experts in these fields are arranged each year, and there is an annual Choices Conference to introduce boys to the challenges and opportunities of future careers. The Careers Department has developed strong links with ORs and parents to help boys seeking specialist advice, and to offer work experience and placements.Work experience is strongly encouraged both in this country and in Europe. Every boy is instructed in interview technique and there is also the chance to have that technique developed on video.