INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College
Radley College 10 3. THE QUALITY OF CARE AND RELATIONSHIPS The Quality of Pastoral Care, and the Welfare, Health and Safety of Pupils 3.1 The staff take excellent care of their pupils’ well-being and development, and are supported in this by an effective management structure. This outstanding provision means that the college fulfils its stated aim of developing character through a strong pastoral network based on the social, the daily influence of chapel and the impact of immersion into a close community where boys, dons and families work together. 3.2 High quality support and guidance to pupils was identified in the college’s inspection report of 2002 and subsequent developments have improved this area even further. These include the forming of a pastoral committee, the development of formal prefect and sixth form mentor training, the gathering of data on pastoral matters (via pupil questionnaires) and the publication of an annual welfare report for the governing body. 3.3 Staff provide very effective support and guidance for all college pupils. Pastoral care is, in the first instance, in the hands of the tutors. As such, they are required to be aware of the needs of each individual in their social, and aim to provide them with what the statutes of the college describe as special care. Pupils were keen to point out that they felt well supported and guided by their tutors. The interlocking roles of the tutors and the form masters are key to the support provided to all pupils. A number of parents praised the teams in the socials for the individual care they provide, within a close-knit and supportive community. Many parents described pastoral care as outstanding. 3.4 Staff are assisted by effective pastoral arrangements. Tutors and form masters communicate regularly about pupils, often via email, in order to provide support and guidance. Parents commented upon the very efficient communication that exists between home and the college on pastoral matters and the excellent response and handling of any queries. The pastoral committee, of which the child protection officer and chaplain are members, meets weekly to monitor all pastoral issues. It provides support to both staff and boys on pastoral matters. Tutors are obliged to report any significant incident to this committee. When interviewed, members of the committee identified an example of a quick and effective resolution to a pastoral issue as a product of their intervention. 3.5 The quality of relationships at the college is high. Pupils appreciate the approachability and support offered by their dons, tutors and form masters. Boys respect the fact that their teachers are willing to offer freely their time to provide academic or pastoral support, at almost any time of the day or night. Boys treat each other with respect and mix well across the year groups particularly in their socials and at meals. One pupil maintained that “there is always a don or fellow pupil available to help you if required”. The parent of a new boy commented that older boys play an active part in helping others to settle in. School prefects, house prefects and Year 12 mentors are regularly trained to provide such support. 3.6 Measures to promote good discipline and behaviour at the college are effective and understood by staff and pupils. Sanctions are given for lateness, unsatisfactory work or poor behaviour. Termly monitoring of the sanction logs of each social is undertaken. Rewards take the form of distinctions, copies (for exceptional work) and annual prizes. Pupils maintained that sanctions were fairly and consistently applied. The anti-bullying policy is clear, widely publicised and well known by boys and staff.
Radley College 11 3.7 The college is very vigilant about the welfare of its pupils and the fulfilment of health and safety statutory obligations. The child protection policy is thorough and effective and well known by staff and older pupils. All necessary measures to reduce risk from fire have been taken and risk assessments are regularly revised. The college has an effective policy on disability arrangements which complies with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act. The medical centre provides excellent medical provision for the pupils and they are also supported by the college counsellor. The admission register is correctly maintained. As an all-boarding school, Radley is not required to keep attendance registers and, in their place, has regular roll calls in socials and a robust system for monitoring boys’ absence from school. 3.8 The catering arrangements promote healthy eating and suitably varied choices are offered at mealtimes. Boys have the opportunity to comment on the college food through a suggestion box or their social representative on the senior master’s advisory committee. Pupils maintained that they particularly enjoyed the Friday menu which is selected by each social in rotation. Boys keep fit by making full use of the college’s outstanding sporting facilities, their involvement in physical activities ranging from participation in team games to following personalised training programmes developed and monitored by a fitness instructor. 3.9 The college meets the regulatory requirements for the welfare, health and safety of pupils [Standard 3]. The Quality of Links with Parents and the Community 3.10 The college has a strong partnership with parents and extremely positive and productive links with the local and wider community. This both supports the community and develops boys’ awareness of the needs of others. These links underpin the college’s policy of maintaining good relations with parents and engaging fully with the outside world. 3.11 Responses to the parents’ questionnaire indicated that the overwhelming majority of parents consider that the teaching is excellent and aids progress. In conversation, parents commented on the inspirational, encouraging and committed teaching. Some described the novel and entertaining approaches to the stretching and challenging of top sets, whilst others opined that Radley is good at recognising pupils with learning difficulties and then providing much valued and effective support. Praise and discipline are thought to be fair and consistent. 3.12 Parents feel that the pupils are well supported academically and there is a strong work ethic. In discussion, parents felt that the pressure was deliberately and carefully applied in Year 10, thought to be a potentially difficult year for some boys in their development, and then subtly reduced during Year 11 as the GCSE examinations loom. Parents felt that the inculcated “getting the job done” attitude is retained by the majority of boys through the GCSE year and beyond. Parents felt that they did not need to exert any pressure from home to encourage their sons to study. 3.13 The college encourages parents to be involved and, as far as parental geography allows, many avail themselves of a wide range of opportunities to support their sons’ activities. They are made to feel welcome at all these events. Some parents find that, without a system of timed appointments, formal consultation sessions with subject teachers can be too much of a free for all, and they would welcome more organisation. 3.14 Parents of pupils and of prospective pupils are provided with the required information about the college. The variety and quality of the publications and the information are excellent and much valued. The warden’s letters, tutors’ letters and the many publications including the college magazine, The Radleian, and the Radley Newsletter were all praised. Of particular
- Page 1 and 2: INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE IN
- Page 3 and 4: Radley College 1 1. INTRODUCTION Ch
- Page 5 and 6: Radley College 3 2. THE QUALITY OF
- Page 7 and 8: Radley College 5 Pupils’ Learning
- Page 9 and 10: Radley College 7 ages to be thought
- Page 11: Radley College 9 2.35 The school pr
- Page 15 and 16: Radley College 13 The Quality of Bo
- Page 17 and 18: Radley College 15 4. THE EFFECTIVEN
- Page 19 and 20: Radley College 17 4.14 A recommenda
- Page 21: Radley College 19 6. SUMMARY OF INS
<strong>Radley</strong> <strong>College</strong> 10<br />
3. THE QUALITY OF CARE AND RELATIONSHIPS<br />
The Quality of Pastoral Care, and the Welfare, Health and Safety of<br />
Pupils<br />
3.1 The staff take excellent care of their pupils’ well-being and development, and are supported<br />
in this by an effective management structure. This outstanding provision means that the<br />
college fulfils its stated aim of developing character through a strong pastoral network based<br />
on the social, the daily influence of chapel and the impact of immersion into a close<br />
community where boys, dons and families work together.<br />
3.2 High quality support and guidance to pupils was identified in the college’s inspection report<br />
of 2002 and subsequent developments have improved this area even further. These include<br />
the forming of a pastoral committee, the development of formal prefect and sixth form<br />
mentor training, the gathering of data on pastoral matters (via pupil questionnaires) and the<br />
publication of an annual welfare report for the governing body.<br />
3.3 Staff provide very effective support and guidance for all college pupils. Pastoral care is, in<br />
the first instance, in the hands of the tutors. As such, they are required to be aware of the<br />
needs of each individual in their social, and aim to provide them with what the statutes of the<br />
college describe as special care. Pupils were keen to point out that they felt well supported<br />
and guided by their tutors. The interlocking roles of the tutors and the form masters are key<br />
to the support provided to all pupils. A number of parents praised the teams in the socials for<br />
the individual care they provide, within a close-knit and supportive community. Many<br />
parents described pastoral care as outstanding.<br />
3.4 Staff are assisted by effective pastoral arrangements. Tutors and form masters communicate<br />
regularly about pupils, often via email, in order to provide support and guidance. Parents<br />
commented upon the very efficient communication that exists between home and the college<br />
on pastoral matters and the excellent response and handling of any queries. The pastoral<br />
committee, of which the child protection officer and chaplain are members, meets weekly to<br />
monitor all pastoral issues. It provides support to both staff and boys on pastoral matters.<br />
Tutors are obliged to report any significant incident to this committee. When interviewed,<br />
members of the committee identified an example of a quick and effective resolution to a<br />
pastoral issue as a product of their intervention.<br />
3.5 The quality of relationships at the college is high. Pupils appreciate the approachability and<br />
support offered by their dons, tutors and form masters. Boys respect the fact that their<br />
teachers are willing to offer freely their time to provide academic or pastoral support, at<br />
almost any time of the day or night. Boys treat each other with respect and mix well across<br />
the year groups particularly in their socials and at meals. One pupil maintained that “there is<br />
always a don or fellow pupil available to help you if required”. The parent of a new boy<br />
commented that older boys play an active part in helping others to settle in. School prefects,<br />
house prefects and Year 12 mentors are regularly trained to provide such support.<br />
3.6 Measures to promote good discipline and behaviour at the college are effective and<br />
understood by staff and pupils. Sanctions are given for lateness, unsatisfactory work or poor<br />
behaviour. Termly monitoring of the sanction logs of each social is undertaken. Rewards<br />
take the form of distinctions, copies (for exceptional work) and annual prizes. Pupils<br />
maintained that sanctions were fairly and consistently applied. The anti-bullying policy is<br />
clear, widely publicised and well known by boys and staff.
Change language