INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College

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Radley College 2 1.8 In this report the following specific Radley terminology is used: the headmaster is known as the warden, teachers are known as dons, housemasters are known as tutors and houses are known as socials. 1.9 National Curriculum nomenclature is used throughout this report to refer to year groups in the college. The year group nomenclature used by the college and its National Curriculum (NC) equivalence are shown in the following table. School NC name Shell Year 9 Remove Year 10 Fifth Year 11 VI.1 Year 12 VI.2 Year 13
Radley College 3 2. THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION The Educational Experience Provided 2.1 Radley provides an outstanding range of educational opportunities which is well suited to the interests, aptitudes and needs of all its pupils. The education provided fulfils very successfully the college’s declared aims and philosophy that “boys from a broad ability range will discover and fulfil their talents and will achieve outstanding academic results”. The college’s aim that boys will “gain confidence from experiencing success” is achieved through the effective implementation of the academic curriculum, which leads boys to high achievement, and through the very wide range of high quality extra-curricular opportunities. These are pursued with enthusiasm and reach an excellent level of performance. 2.2 The college encourages dons “relentlessly to drive Radleians to aim high” and this is indeed the case. Radley aims to develop the character of its pupils and their ‘self-confidence, ease of personal communication, awareness of responsibility and concern for others’. The dons and other members of staff work extremely hard to achieve all of these aims and are very successful in so doing. 2.3 The education as a whole gives pupils experience in, and contributes effectively to, linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical, and aesthetic and creative development, and makes provision for acquisition of skills of speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy. Year 9 pupils experience a very wide and appropriate range of subjects. As boys move to GCSE in Years 10 and 11, the combination of core and optional subjects allows for and encourages the development of particular enthusiasms and aptitudes. Provision in the sixth form is strong, with a good range of subjects on offer, complemented by academic societies and activities. 2.4 The use of the International GCSE and the early sitting of GCSE and A/S examinations in some subjects allow the most able boys to be stretched appropriately. Setting by ability, including in most sixth form classes, ensures that boys move at a pace appropriate to them, though expectations of all are high. The time allocated across the curriculum is well balanced. 2.5 A distinctive feature of Radley’s sixth form provision is the commitment to a ‘linear’ approach to courses, whereby, unless a boy is not continuing a subject to A2 level, both A2 and A/S level examinations are usually taken at the end of Year 13. The college believes that this allows boys to develop greater maturity before taking public examinations. This policy of a non-examined Year 12 allows more teaching time than would otherwise be the case and gives more time for expeditions and tours. Radley also eschews the study leave option and teaching continues during the examination period. Outstanding results confirm the success of this policy. 2.6 Pupils’ experience of personal, social and health education (PSHE) reflects the college’s aims and ethos and the education is enriched by extra-curricular activities, links with the community, and provision for voluntary service and work experience. A wide range of extra-curricular activities is available, catering for and developing a diverse range of interests. Boys are justifiably very appreciative of the fact that everyone can, to quote one boy, “find his niche, or niches”. Activities observed during the inspection ranged from an animated sixth form cooking activity in French to a lively Year 9 taster drama session. Music and drama are pursued to a very high standard, with committed and expert staff encouraging boys’ efforts and the development of their skills very effectively. The atmosphere of creativity and of cultural activity is strong, an example being the music in chapel.
Page 1 and 2: INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE IN
Page 3: Radley College 1 1. INTRODUCTION Ch
Page 7 and 8: Radley College 5 Pupils’ Learning
Page 9 and 10: Radley College 7 ages to be thought
Page 11 and 12: Radley College 9 2.35 The school pr
Page 13 and 14: Radley College 11 3.7 The college i
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

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College

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