The Compass Curriculum

The Compass Curriculum

The Compass Curriculum marks the next step in realising the vision of Radley Schools Group: to provide exceptional educational opportunities for every child in our care, blending the best of tradition with innovation to give your child the very best start in life. It reflects our belief that education should extend beyond traditional academic boundaries,

enabling pupils to work independently towards clear goals. It will make these formative and important years at our schools the pinnacle of prep education – purposeful, distinctive, and rich with opportunities that equip children with the confidence, curiosity, and capability to thrive in senior school and beyond.

Andrew Ashton Chief Executive (Prep Schools)

The Compass Curriculum will be delivered alongside each school’s existing academic and co-curricular programme.

Developed by prep and senior school specialists, it offers a flexible and collaborative framework that complements the distinctive strengths of every prep school in the Group. Compass broadens learning and encourages pupils to step beyond their comfort zones.

Through enquiry, analysis and shared challenge, pupils develop independence, judgement and curiosity, growing into confident and thoughtful learners.

Alastair Speers Educational Consultant

The Compass Curriculum

Our aim is for pupils who complete the Compass Curriculum to arrive at their senior schools as confident, curious and capable learners with strong academic foundations and the judgement to engage fully in senior school life.

Through Navigation, Engagement, Striving and Wonder, the Compass Curriculum enriches our education provision for every child, elevates Years 7 and 8, and prepares children to move forward with confidence, capability and purpose.

“The Compass Curriculum will make these years at our schools the pinnacle of prep school education – distinctive, purposeful years that give our children the skills and tools to navigate senior school life, and beyond, as confident, curious, and capable learners.”

John Moule, Warden – Radley College

Points Of The Compass Navigate

Strive

Decision making | Judgement | Direction | Leadership

Effort | Resilience | Discipline | Achievement

Navigate reflects the importance of purposeful decision making, providing an understanding of what is required to make informed choices. Pupils will develop self awareness, sound judgement and the confidence to act with clarity and responsibility.

Through reflection and experience, pupils will learn to lead with integrity and assurance.

Strive represents sustained effort and the courage to step beyond comfort. Pupils develop perseverance through challenge, learning that progress requires commitment and discipline.

They build resilience, teamwork and pride in achievement, strengthening the habits that underpin long term success.

Engage

Wonder

Participation | Collaboration | Contribution | Community

Curiosity | Creativity | Enquiry | Insight

Engage emphasises active involvement in learning and in community. Pupils are encouraged not simply to observe, but to participate, collaborate and contribute meaningfully to the lives of others. Whether through discussion, shared projects or service beyond the classroom, they learn that education is relational and that their actions have impact.

Wonder places curiosity at the heart of learning. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and the world around them. Through enquiry and imagination, they will develop creativity and insight, gaining the confidence to engage with unfamiliar concepts and diverse perspectives.

Year 7 Modules term Year 7 Autumn Term

Year 7 Spring Term

Year 7 Summer Term

module

outcomes &

Philosophy & Ethics An introduction to philosophical and ethical thinking, culminating in debate and discussion, and supported by Groupwide lectures and a shared debating event.

– Year 7 midweek residential t challenges that develop our c Engage, Strive and Wonder.

– Public speaking competition presence.

– Debates within each school a critical thinking and persuas – Expert led external lectures b deepening intellectual curios

Engineering & Communication A STEM-based challenge focused on design, teamwork and the clear communication of ideas, with opportunities for cross-school collaboration and engagement with external experts.

– Collaboration across schools and exchange expertise.

– Engagement with engineers, across a range of sectors.

– Participation in STEM challe teamwork and applied proble

Earth & Environment An outward-looking module exploring sustainability and humanity’s relationship with the natural world, culminating in collaborative projects and shared presentations.

– A solutions focused sustaina innovative, research informed environmental challenges.

– Completion of a mini Indepen student-led, independent res inquiry.

– Cross school collaboration on – Engagement with environme leaders.

& experiences

trip featuring outward bound core Compass skills: Navigate,

n cultivating confidence, clarity and

and across the Group strengthening sive communication. broadening horizons and sity.

s to solve shared design challenges designers and industry leaders

enges that promote creativity, em solving.

ability showcase presenting d responses to real-world

ndent Project Qualification, a search project style research

n shared sustainability priorities. ental scientists and industry

Year 8 Modules term Year 8 Autumn Term

Year 8 Spring Term

Year 8 Summer Term

module

outcomes &

Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Hands-on enterprise projects cultivating initiative, problem-solving and financial literacy, with opportunities to develop viable concepts and present outcomes to industry professionals.

– Year 8 midweek residential t challenges that strengthen N – Hands-on enterprise project problem-solving and financi – Design and pitch of viable bu professionals.

– Expert led external lectures o innovation leaders.

Future & Innovation A forward-looking module exploring emerging technologies and innovation, encouraging critical thinking, ethical awareness and adaptability, equipping pupils to respond confidently to future challenges.

– Exploration of emerging tech tomorrow’s world.

– TEDx style talks showcasing confidence.

– Critical examination of ethica innovation.

Reflection & Leadership A concluding module centred on self awareness, responsibility and leadership, enabling pupils to reflect on their growth, articulate their learning and draw together insights from across all modules.

– Command tasks and leadersh resilience, teamwork and dec – Structured reflection drawing from across all modules.

– Talks from inspirational lead leadership, management and

NB: Each school within the Group will deliver the programme in a way that complements and enhances its programme. While the framework remains consistent, schools will have the flexibility to shape delivery, out

& experiences

trip featuring outward bound Navigate, Engage, Strive and Wonder. ts developing initiative, ial literacy. usiness concepts to industry

offering insight from business and

hnologies and innovation shaping original ideas with clarity and

al implications and responsible

hip challenges developing cisive thinking. g together insight and growth

ders sharing perspectives on d the value of followership.

s existing academic and co-curricular tcomes and experiences to reflect their context.

Year 7 - 8 Indicative Timeline

Collaboration For children in Years 7 and 8, each module creates opportunities for joint endeavour, from debating forums to enterprise showcases and presentations. Through a dedicated weekly lesson and joint events across our prep schools, pupils will engage with peers across the Group, hear from expert speakers and contribute to shared projects.

Schools will continue to organise their own residential trips, alongside two additional residential opportunities in the senior years. These additional trips (included in school fees) will bring together pupils from across Radley Schools Group and will create wider friendships, expose pupils to new environments, and create opportunities to be taught by teachers from other schools and external experts.

The Compass Award The Compass Award is rooted in the shared skills and educational principles of Radley Schools Group. It encourages pupils to embrace meaningful challenge beyond the classroom and to develop independence in planning, organising and completing their work.

As pupils progress, expectations increase. Guided challenge in the younger years evolves into sustained, self-directed commitment in the senior years. Throughout, the Award fosters resilience, initiative and reflective thinking, strengthening the essential skills pupils need to thrive.

bronze award

silver award

gold award

The Bronze Award introduces pupils to the four Compass skillsets and establishes habits of participation and responsibility. All pupils are expected to achieve this level, with appropriate stretch and challenge.

The Silver Award builds greater depth, ownership and accountability. Pupils demonstrate sustained effort across each Compass skillset, undertaking more demanding challenges with increasing independence.

Tasks will include creative projects, community engagement, problem solving activities or commitment to a personal goal.

They will lead aspects of projects, contribute to community initiatives, present ideas publicly or analyse information with confidence. The Silver Award strengthens resilience, leadership and self management.

The Gold Award marks the culmination of the programme. Pupils demonstrate maturity, initiative and commitment across all four skillsets through ambitious, self-directed challenges requiring careful planning and reflection.

By the end of Year 8, pupils who achieve the Gold Award are not only accomplished, but equipped with the independence, confidence and strength of character needed to thrive at senior school and beyond.