INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College

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.