INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College

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