INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College

Radley College 15
4. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNANCE AND
MANAGEMENT
The Quality of Governance
4.1 The governance of the college is highly effective, and the governing body (known as the
council) sets and secures appropriate aims and values for the college and provides
outstanding oversight and governance.
4.2 Members of the council bring to Radley a range of professional expertise from their national
and international positions. Radley has governors who, not only bring wisdom and
experience to decision-making, but who also have great affection for the college and see it as
an honour to serve and support it. The chairman is well aware of the challenges for the
council in the next decade, identifying issues of personnel as well as making the best use of
building space on the campus. It is clear that the council and the SMT manage change by
using as much consultation as is possible in a large and busy community.
4.3 Members of council are well aware of their responsibilities and are appropriately involved in
educational development and financial planning, strategies to ensure effective educational
provision, and investment in human and material resources. The three main sub-committees
meet termly and report to the full council meeting, which is attended by members of the
SMT. A particular strength of the governance of Radley is that the full council meeting is
held over two days, with the first day being devoted to hearing detailed presentations from
members of staff on topics pertinent to the council’s deliberations. This is one of the means
whereby governors aim to understand current educational issues affecting the college.
Following this meeting, a number of governors, in an informal setting, learn more about the
issues of college life.
4.4 The 2002 report recommended that the college should draw up and regularly review a formal
development plan. This has been done, with all sections of the college community
contributing to it. This plan is carefully monitored by the SMT and the council and is
meeting its targets. The college has specific building plans for a number of areas and,
testament to the council’s commitment to provide an education of the highest quality, is the
building of two new socials for September 2008. They have not been built to increase pupil
numbers, but to allow the refurbishment of the current socials and give more space and
facilities, thereby, to each boarder.
4.5 As well as the development plan, the council and SMT have published Radley College –
2007/8 and beyond. This vision statement sets out the council’s commitments for the
foreseeable future: broad ability intake; ‘all boys all boarding’ structure; high quality
teaching both in academic and social terms; value for money; the provision of foundation
places; and even further engagement with the outside world.
4.6 The composition of the council is regularly reviewed following recommendations from the
nominations committee. New governors receive training and the individual support of more
experienced governors. The statutes and regulations of governance are clear, comprehensive
and regularly reviewed, confirming commitment to legal compliance.
4.7 Governors are well informed of the workings of the college and provide advice, support and
stimulus for growth and improvement. The chairman is a regular visitor to the college and
sits in on lessons, activities and SMT meetings. Other governors support the college’s public
functions, and governors who are parents regularly visit the socials. Two governors have the
specific role of liaising with the common room, addressing common room meetings and