Radley College Partnership

The relationship between Radley Primary School and Radley College has been longstanding. The two schools have helped support each other through governance, fundraising as part of the Friends committee, and employment as teachers, classroom assistants, and operational staff at both schools. 
Most important, perhaps, is how our close proximity allows pupils from both schools to work together to enrich the educational opportunities. 

Staff and children from both schools have joined together over the years in support of a wide range of curriculum and after school activities: music concerts and workshops, science practicals, sports activities, and swimming lessons. The excitement of a primary school pupil holding one of the animals in the biology lab is matched by a college boys’ sense of achievement for helping to bring the subject to life. 

As the primary school expands there is a chance to further grow what can be achieved together, and with this in mind we have worked more closely to design activities which widen collaboration, raise aspirations, and target outcomes. 
This term, Thames class has been joined by college boys on two mornings each week as part of their SATs club. The same group of boys also visit the primary school on two further afternoons working with small groups of children in Thames and Isis to provide additional guided reading and comprehension. Wednesday afternoons have a focus on ‘maths mentoring’ with each child in Thames class having 1-to-1 support from an A level mentor. At the same time Cherwell are exploring art alongside a group of GCSE boys and one of the art teachers, while some Isis children receive targeted maths support from maths mentors.

As stated by Gareth Mulcahy, our Chair of Governors: “if we could have had a view of the type of activity we would like to see happening a year ago, these would be almost the perfect example of activities meeting the needs of both the primary school and Radley College.” 
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The regular weekly collaboration helps to build relationships. The primary school children develop role models and grow in confidence through the work completed. The college boys widen their communication and leaderships skills, while appreciating the enormous support given by teachers and classroom assistants to ensure every child receives the very best education. It is a genuine partnership.