Academic Aspiration

ACADEMIC ASPIRATION

ACADEMIC ASPIRATION Radley is dedicated to encouraging an atmosphere of academic curiosity which extends from Shells through to 6th Form. In particular, students are regularly introduced to ideas across subject boundaries, far beyond the standard syllabus. Natural enrichment arises through strong connections between year groups – pupils in the Sixth Form speaking with Shells and Removes in Cocoa, and so on – and in particular by allowing our Oxbridge applicants to share their enthusiasm and curiosity with the ablest pupils in the Lower School. Academic excellence is celebrated and promoted strongly within the school.

Radleians are encouraged to become independent learners and thinkers from the beginning of their time at Radley, through wide reading, natural enquiry, informed discussions and lively debate. This stays with them throughout their school career, and the acquisition of these skills is crucial to their academic success. The aim is

to develop as students who have the ability to construct as well as solve problems, ask interesting questions, communicate well and think clearly.

Academic Scholars at Radley are identified on the basis of academic merit and are expected to continue to perform at this high level throughout their Radley careers. Emphasis is particularly placed on students who show engagement and curiosity about a wide range of topics as well as independence of thought, an ability to take the initiative about their own learning and a willingness to pursue avenues of their own interest and share them with others.

They will take advantage of the rich academic opportunities at Radley, following a path of continual personal and academic growth. They enjoy grappling with new, interesting concepts, and show academic resilience and reflection. They are the academic leaders of the pupil body, and their continued influence is vital.

Radleians are fortunate to benefit from a wide array of super-curricular activities during their time at the school:

 “Thinking Suppers” and Study Days with local schools, to stretch academically beyond the confines of the Radley campus.

 A dedicated Critical Thinking programme in the Shells, designed to equip the boys with the analytical, critical and logical skills which will prove to be fundamental in their further studies.

 Inter-social debating, quizzes, essay competitions and extended projects.

 A wide variety of lectures, talks and seminars hosted by internationally renowned experts in their respective fields.  Subject-specific academic society talks, delivered by boys as well as dons.  Engagement with academic activities at Oxford University and American Universities through the Radley Graduate Scholars and Cook Fellows programmes, inviting current graduate and postgraduate students to share their research interests.

 Reading groups, subject magazines and “pop-up” discussion events.

The most able scholars in each year group will meet regularly in a small group to discuss interesting topics from far beyond the curriculum.

Inter-disciplinary, creative thinking is mandatory, and students are encouraged to grapple with difficult concepts. As they progress through the school, Radleians will have opportunities to lead these sessions on topics of their choosing, preparing and distributing materials in advance to ensure strong engagement from everyone present. Once each term these groups will be invited to attend the Warden’s Colloquium, where academic topics and current affairs will be discussed over supper.

In the Sixth Form, students who are aiming for entry at elite universities both in the UK and overseas benefit from additional academic activities, particular to their chosen subject. They will work closely with the Graduate Scholars and Cook Fellows to further boost their confidence and ability to engage critically and energetically with their subjects. They are expected to read widely and actively, and to share their interests with other boys across the school. They will usually

be drawn from the scholars’ groups in the Lower School, and will make an ongoing contribution to those groups by leading academic discussions, hosting seminars and arranging debates as well as mentoring junior scholars. In addition, they will become heavily involved in subject societies, inviting speakers and delivering lectures themselves, and writing articles for the various school magazines.