With another school year fast approaching, we are proud to have received such a glowing review from Tatler Schools’ Guide. Among many strengths, it highlights how well our boys get stuck into creative areas like drama, art and music, which Tatler notes is down to our “masterful management of single-sex education”, as well as mentioning the plans for the new Music School and boys’ admiration towards the Warden. We would like to thank our parents for not only entrusting us with their sons but who also reserve “particular praise for the pastoral care, which they frequently describe as outstanding and excellent.”

‘Radley applications have reached record highs, particularly for those scholarships and bursaries; the latter numbering the newly launched and all-inclusive Keys Award, given to talented children from state schools.

Well, successful candidates are in for a treat, according to one ‘shell’ – or first-year Radleian – who says head John Moule is not only universally liked but knows ‘every single boy’. The pupil goes on: ‘He dedicates his time to ensuring they make the most of the Radley experience.’ And there’s certainly a great deal to get out of this traditional, academically strong school, shaped by its history and Christian ethos but also by its commitment to open debate. There’s even a newly launched ‘Talking Heads’ webinar series for parents, in which staff address a wide variety of topics.

Reviews from parents are consistently stellar with many reserving particular praise for the pastoral care, which they frequently describe as ‘outstanding’ and ‘excellent’. Another strong suit at Radley is its masterful management of single-sex education. ‘Boys get stuck into creative areas (drama, music, art) without any inhibition,’ says one parent, and that’s ‘something friends who have boys at mixed school complain their sons soon drop when girls are thrown into the mix’.

On cue, there are plans for the redevelopment of the concert hall and a new music production suite. However, links with all-girls Downe House remain strong, ensuring the young men experience life beyond this blissful bubble; and an old barn is being converted into a cookery school.

It seems anything is possible at this outstanding establishment.’

I am very pleased with the outcomes our boys have secured at both GCSE and A-Level. It is important to remember that each set of numbers and letters is not just a statistic but an outcome for a boy. The overall picture is very encouraging, and I am particularly pleased by the upward tick in the number of As and A*s at A-Level and the significant rise in grade 8s and 9s at GCSE. At the top end, 24 boys achieved eight grade 9s or more, but the value added element – which is particularly visible in our A-Level results – shows Radley at its best.

John Moule, Warden