Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Radley different form other schools?

• Radley is smaller than its competitors and its very size means that each boy is known as an individual and his well-being and performance can be carefully measured. It also means that a large number of Radleians can regularly represent the school in a number of activities.
• Its smaller size, together with families living on Campus, give a sense of community with strong values at its core and a sense of shared purpose. Pastoral care with a large number of adults involved in the development of each boy is a real feature.
• Being an all boarding school with a real committment to boarding gives opportunities for the boys, through extra curricular activities after school and during weekends, to develop into well-rounded individuals and to forge long lasting and strong friendships.
• As an all boys school, boys have the freedom to develop with confidence and to attempt and experience the many opportunities on offer without feeling the threat of competition from girls who have usually matured at a faster rate.
• An academic common room inspires boys with a love of their subject and encourages excellence; as such, it is well known among independent schools for the results it achieves from a broad mix of ability. see Academic
• Radleians: Time and again current and Old Radleians are mentioned as good ambassadors for the school.see Old Radleian Society
• A campus, which contains all the teaching blocks, living accommodation and superb facilities within reach of each other, allows for freedom of movement and a sense of security within the grouds.
• The location on the outskirts of Oxford combine rural landscape with easy access to town which is renowned, not only as a university town, but as an excellent cultural and historical resource which can be tapped by both teachers and boys.

Methods of entry
For those at Prep School
Boys from a Prep School are expected to take Common Entrance
For those from abroad
We would expect boys from abroad to take exams in English, Maths, Science and French. In circumstances where boys have not studied French we would accept another language
For those from the Maintained Sector
We have our own exams in English, Maths, French and Science. In circumstances where boys have not done any French we would accept another modern language.
See Admissions

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Who should I contact about admissions?
Prospectus requests to the Admissions Secretary, 01235 548576 or fill in the Request a Prospectus form
For any other enquiries contact the Registrar, tel: 01235 543174, email Admissions
 

Who should I contact about fees and other financial issues?
Enquiries should be directed to the Bursar, Mr. Andrew Ashton, tel:01235 543000.

Does Radley have any bursaries?
see Financial Support and Foundation Awards

Why are Socials (boarding houses) called Socials?
The word 'socius' means a companion, so the word 'social' meant a boy who was entrusted to the care and protection of a Don (master). Initially most boys were living together in College, but they were under the care of 6 'social tutors' and the term Social then referred to all the boys under the care of one tutor. When D Social was built in 1886 all the boys and their tutor were united in their own living quarters and so the word Social came to mean the building, the collection of 'companions' and the Tutor is their housemaster.

How do I choose a Social?
Once you have received a Final Acceptance Form you should read the information about the Tutors/Socials and contact the Registrar to arrange to meet with them, for practical reasons no more than 3.
 

Do Socials have particular strengths or characteristics?
All Socials have a broad mix of boys of differing abilities and interests from a range of schools. The daily routine and rules are essentially identical across the Socials. The accommodation in all Socials will esentially be the same (given the physical restrictions of existing buildings), once they have all been refurbished. Boys mix freely between Socials, something enhanced by central dining and the physical proximity of the Socials.
 

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What are the arrangements for leave outs (known as 'privis', an abbreviation of privilege weekend)?
Michaelmas Term: two long weekend leaves (Friday lunchtime to Monday evening) and two privis (after games on Saturday to Sunday evening). Lent: One long weekend leave and two privis. Summer Terms: three privis. Extra privis are given when a Social is having a cultural evening or play. Requests for privis beyond the norm are considered by the Sub Warden. In addition boys may go out with parents on Sunday after Chapel.

What is a typical day at Radley?
7.15 - 8.05 Breakfast
8.30 - 10.45 Lessons
10.45 - 11.15 Short Break
11.20 - 12.40 Lessons
1.30 - 2.30 Central Hour
Light Months (March - October)
2.40 - 4.05 Lessons
4.30 - 5.25 Games
Dark months (November - February)
2.40 - 4.30 Games
4.40 - 6.05 Lessons
NB There is no afternoon lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Timings are different on Wednesdays when CCF, Community Service and Wednesday Activities take place instead of games.
5.30 - 7.05 Supper
7.10 Chapel
7.30 Prep
9.00 Cocoa

What is the key to enjoying boarding?
Learning to get on with those around you and being prepared to get 'stuck in' and make the most of the opportunitites on offer.

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What are the main games?
Major games are Rugby, Hockey, Cricket and Rowing. Other games are Football, Tennis and Athletics, Rackets, Real Tennis, Golf, Cross Country, Polo, Badminton, Squash and Fives.
see Sports

What music tuition/ensembles are available
There is tuition in virtually all instruments with specialist music teachers.
Ensembles include, Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Big Band, Concert Band, Chapel Choir, Choral Society, Radley Clerkes and numerous other Rock Bands and small ensembles.
see Music at Radley

What is the Drama like at Radley?
There are many ways to get involved in Drama at Radley, from the Haddon Cup, which has all Shells taking part in an Inter-Social competition in their first term, to appearing or helping backstage in numerous College and Social plays throughout the year. Drama is also available as an option at GCSE and A level, with increasing numbers taking this subject. The theatre also hosts professional productions through the year which are open to all boys. With the focus on the New Theatre and the Studio Theatre, Drama is very active at Radley.
see Drama at Radley

Do many boys do Art at Radley?
see Art at Radley

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What happens at weekends
On Saturdays boys have lessons in the morning and inter school matches in the afternoon. In the evening they are entertained in Social.
On Sunday there is Chapel in the morning and a sample of activities which may take place are:

• Outings with Socials
• Events with Girls' Schools
• Some matches eg. cricket, hockey, tenis, football, golf, polo tec.
• Rehearsals for plays and concerts
• The Library, Art and Design Centre, Muisc School and Computer Rooms are all open
• Film Club
• Sub Aqua

see the Other Activities
 

What arrangements are there for Catholic boys and boys from other religions?
Currently there are about 70 Roman Catholic boys in the school and a few boys from other faiths. Mass is said by a visiting priest from Campion Hall, Oxford about 3 or 4 times a term at Radley. Boys are also prepared for confirmation which takes place at Radley every Summer term. Boys from other religions are encouraged to practice their faith.
 

How long has the Warden been in post?
He was appointed in September 2000.
 

How long do Tutors remain in post?
Tutors have a initial term of 12 years before a review.
 

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What are the important building plans for the future?
Curently the old Socials are being refurbished to bring them up, as far as possible, to the standard of the two new Socials, J and K. We hope this process will be completed by September 2012. D Social has been completely refurbished.
Reconstruction of The Old Gym Theatre site has begun.

What schools send boys to Radley?
Radley takes boys from a wide variety of schools from all over the country and abroad.
Over the past 8 years the ten schools that have sent more boys are, in alphabetical order: Caldicott, Cheam, Cothill House, Dragon, Elstree, Horris Hill, Ludgrove, Moulsford, Sandroyd and Summer Fields. We attempt not to have more than three boys from a particular prep school in any one Social within a year group.

What if I'm not at a Prep School?
Radley welcomes applications from all schools. A number of boys have come to Radley from the maintained sector and in every case they have made a great success of their time here.

What is the dress code for boys?
Dress code page (see also New Boys' clothes list)

 

When was the school last inspected? (ISI report)
The most recent ISI and National Care Standards Inspections took place in 2008.
 

What links has Radley with girls' schools?
We have close links with Downe House, who regularly join us for music and drama and also with Heathfield, Our Lady's Convent, St. Helen's, Tudor Hall and Wycombe Abbey.
 

Are there any plans to go Co-ed?
No. There is a strong demand for a Radley education as a single sex school. We have links with girls' schools through debating, the Sixth Form Conference and social events.
 

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What societies are available?
Societies page

What is the pass mark at Common Entrance?
Boys must achieve an average of 55% in all subjects and must score at least 55% in each of English and Maths.
 

When can I visit Radley? How do I arrange to do this?
Parents are invited to visit Radley, and meet the Warden, when they receive a Final Acceptance Form, 2-3 years before entry. Parents of boys who are unregistered but seeking a scholarship or who wish to visit before they receive a Final Acceptance Form should contact the Registrar, on 01235 543174
 

What sort of boy does well at Radley?
All boys do well at Radley. They need to be ready to work hard and take advantage of all the opportunities available to them. They also need to enjoy and contribute to community life.

Where do the boys come from?
At present we have about 5% living abroad and 80% living in the South, Home Counties and London postal areas. The remaining 100 boys come from all over Britain.
 

Where can I obtain a copy of the College's accounts?
Copies of the summary accounts are available from the Bursar.
 

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