Radley College has been officially included on the Spear’s Schools Index 2026 as one of the world’s top 100 independent schools (the full list can be found here). Now in its 7th iteration, the ranking reflects our “standing among the most exceptional institutions globally, as assessed by an independent panel of judges and Spear’s in-house research team.”⁠ Fellow Radley Schools Group member Cothill has also been awarded this honour. The official Radley review follows:

Radley College
Focus 
Inspiring greatness and goodness

Boarding fees 2025/26
$82,400

Term dates
Term 1: 2 September to 8 December 2025

Term 2: 5 January to 24 March 2026

Term 3: 15 April to 4 July 2026

Ages
13-18

Pupil count
770

Spear’s Review
Situated on an 800-acre campus just three miles south of Oxford, Radley College is one of the last remaining all-boys boarding schools in the UK. There are 770 pupils aged between 13 and 18 who are designated into 11 separate houses, known as socials.

Radley is renowned for its sporting facilities and offerings. Amenities on-site include a lake, a nine-hole golf course, a 25m swimming pool, 12 rugby pitches, 19 cricket nets and a state-of-the-art rowing centre.

The school is academically selective and performs well when it comes to A-Level results. According to the school, in a normal year, more than 90 per cent of all Radley pupils secure their first-choice university destination, with many of those going on to study at a Russell Group university.

Academics

In 2025: 87 per cent of GCSE results were grades 7-9
61 per cent of A-Level results were A* or A

Head teacher
Warden John Moule read history at Oxford and began his career in education at Dean Close School in Cheltenham. He has also held roles, including as headmaster, at Stowe and Bedford School. He was appointed warden of Radley College in 2014.

University and college destinations
In a normal year, the majority of Radleians secure a place at a Russell Group institution, with over 90 per cent of boys receiving an offer from their first-choice university.

Admissions
According to the school,  entry assessment starts in Year 6, and applicants are encouraged to register by the start of the summer term of Year 5. The school allows registration from birth. As part of the process, applicants are asked to submit documentation including academic reports and references, and in the case of Sixth Form entry, predicted GCSE results. Depending on the year of entry, boys may also be asked to sit assessments and attend interviews.

Notable alumni
Notable ‘Old Radleians’ include:

Jamie Laing (television personality and presenter)

Andrew Strauss (England cricketer)

Peter Cook (comedian)

Accessibility
Heathrow Airport: 1 hour