Hear from the Warden, John Moule, and former Chair of Council, Mike Hodgson (1965, C), as they reflect on Radley’s progress over the past decade. In this thoughtful conversation, they discuss the power of philanthropy, the College’s strategic vision and the role of the Foundation to support it, and the enduring commitment to providing life-changing opportunities for talented boys through bursaries and exceptional facilities.
Philanthropy has always been central to Radley. Without the generosity of many – of time, expertise and money – we would not be where we are, or what we are, today. And the ‘what we are’ matters. We have a clear purpose: to provide the very best education built on strong values, a respect for the past, the development of good character and the pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness. It is a moral purpose. Dare I say it, it is a charitable purpose.
Which leads me back to philanthropy. The stories in this Impact Report tell of the immense effect the Foundation – and your generosity – have had over the last twenty-five years. Stories matter so much more than numbers and statistical analysis: they are real, sometimes viscerally so, and they get to the heart of the purpose of what the Foundation is about: giving boys the chance to come to Radley who otherwise would not be able to and helping provide facilities to make us the very best we can be.
I remember researching the history of the College as I applied for the job over a decade ago. I read about William Sewell’s vision one in ten free places. I seem to remember that I asked as part of the process what percentage of income was in the form of fee remission … and the Bursar was coy. That might have been due to the desire to protect proprietorial information; I rather suspect it was. But it might have also been due to the fact that we were nowhere near and never had been near meeting Sewell’s dream. A decade on, and the work of the Foundation and the dedication of Council to the cause in our strategic thinking, and it is no longer a pipe dream. Work to do, of course, but we are well on our way.
But the case still needs to be made. Perhaps even more so as the cynic in all of us wonders whether we need to worry about the charitable status any more given the approach of the current government. That misses the point, however. What you read here makes the case, and it makes it well. Funded places bring generations together; they deepen and broaden the experience of all; they give opportunity and help in time of need; they attract talent; they lift the standards; they honour the memory of legendary Radley dons … in short, they make us a better place.
There are bricks and mortar too. Perhaps, most notably, the Chapel extension – one of the most significant projects undertaken during my time at Radley. It has allowed the expansion of the College to embrace the Funded Places Programme without changing too much else; it provides space for the whole community to meet together to continue our great tradition; it represents the aesthetic quality that is our hallmark; above all, it reflects what we care about.
Without the Foundation, this would simply not have been possible. And I am sure that my successor, sitting at this desk in this office in 2050, will be saying the same thing. Please continue to support us.
John Moule, Warden
