INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE - Radley College

Radley College 7
ages to be thoughtful and critical in their assessment of ethical decisions, such as the
environmental impact of the world’s energy resources. The monitoring of PSHE has been
strengthened since the last inspection.
2.25 The pupils have an excellent social awareness, characterised notably by a widespread
recognition of the social responsibility which boarding life entails. Boys are respectful of
one another, forge close friendships and believe in the cohesiveness of the boarding
community. They are considerate and protective of one another, and have a clear awareness
of how they can contribute to community life both within the college and beyond its
confines. Their whole-hearted participation in the Wednesday activities programme in such
ventures as volunteer work at a local hospital, is a strong reflection of their capacity to think
of others before themselves, and this generosity of spirit is continued with the increasing
number of pupils who elect to undertake GAP Year projects in developing countries. Pupils
also develop their leadership skills and show initiative and responsibility in the role of
prefects, where their contribution to the smooth running of the socials and the college is
indispensable. Those who take on the role of mentor to younger pupils, speak of the value of
such a responsibility and of the care and sensitivity needed to succeed in such positions. The
training for the roles of prefect and mentor has improved since 2002. The citizenship
programme in the sixth form fosters an awareness of social responsibility, and pupils increase
their understanding of what it means to be an upstanding community member through the
study of such issues as equality of opportunities in the workplace, driving safety and the
value of life-long learning.
2.26 Pupils have excellent cultural values relating both to their own background and to that of
others. Music is a key feature of life at Radley and the performance of a South African piece
of music, composed in honour of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, served to broaden
the cultural horizons of the congregation at the chapel service in inspection week. Boys’
appreciation of the written word is also fostered by events such as the annual Declamations, a
public speaking tradition of long standing at Radley; a version also takes place entirely in
French. Pupils confirm that they are inspired by the outstanding range and quality of their
own art work on display throughout the entire school, and pupils benefit equally from the
exhibitions within the school of external artists in the Sewell Centre and the new theatre.
2.27 In curriculum terms, too, pupils’ cultural awareness is deepened by stimuli as diverse as the
influence of Zen philosophy and 1940s culture on the music of Cage, as seen in a Year 12
music lesson, and the ongoing debate as to whether the work of social artists such as Banksy
has genuine artistic value or whether it amounts to little more than graffiti, as discussed in a
Year 11 art lesson. An introductory course in Mandarin is offered on a weekly and voluntary
basis, and is well attended by pupils across all year groups. Regular cinema, theatre and
museum visits across a broad range of curriculum areas also regularly promote pupils’
cultural awareness. Trips and exchanges abroad significantly deepen cultural awareness,
whether through a language trip to Cuba, Paris or Kitzbühel, or to Romania to assist in the
running of holiday clubs for local pupils, or to India to help out in native house-building
projects. For some pupils these are life-changing experiences. Such ventures help pupils to
respect wide-ranging cultural traditions in a way that promotes tolerance and harmony.
2.28 The college meets the regulatory requirements for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural
development of pupils [Standard 2].