Radley College
Motto	"Sicut serpentes, sicut columbae" ("[Be ye as wise] as snakes, [and as gentle] as doves")
Established	1847
Type	Independent school
Headmaster	Angus McPhail
Founder	William Sewell
Students	635
Location	Radley Nr. Abingdon and Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Colours	Red & White
Yearbook	The Radleian
Newspaper	The Radley College Chronicle
Ages	13 to 18
Website	www.radley.org.uk

Mansion, Originally Radley Hall

Radley College Chapel

Radley College (St Peter's College, Radley) is a famous English public school situated on the edge of the village of Radley near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. It was founded in 1847 by William Sewell and Robert Singleton, and is one of only four remaining schools in the United Kingdom that admits only boys and at which all students are boarders. The school is centred around Mansion, formerly Radley Hall (built 1721 to 1725 and painted by William Turner). Now the campus of school buildings, playing fields, golf course, lake, and farmland now covers some 800 acres, including the largest continuous area of mown grass in England. A motto (from Italian) is a phrase or a short list of words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group, or organization. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Educational institutions are often categorised along several dimensions. ... An independent school is a school which is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operation and is instead operated by tuition charges, gifts, and perhaps the investment yield of an endowment. ... William Sewell (January 23, 1804 - November 14, 1874), English divine and author, was born at Newport, Isle of Wight, the son of a solicitor. ... Radley is a small village located about 6 miles (10 km) south of Oxford, in the county of Oxfordshire, in the United Kingdom named after Kevin Radley. ... Abingdon Town Councils coat of arms. ... Oxford is a city and local government district in Oxfordshire, England, with a population of 134,248 (2001 census). ... Oxfordshire (abbreviated Oxon, from the Latinised form Oxonia) is a county in the South East of England, bordering on Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... School colors are the colors chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. ... A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 318 KB) Summary Radley College, Mansion Date: 5th July 2003 05:42 Camera: Sony Cybershot U Exposure: 1/200 sec. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 318 KB) Summary Radley College, Mansion Date: 5th July 2003 05:42 Camera: Sony Cybershot U Exposure: 1/200 sec. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 290 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Radley College Chapel & Chapel Quad I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 290 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Radley College Chapel & Chapel Quad I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... A public school, in current English, Welsh and Northern Ireland usage, is a (usually) prestigious independent school, for children usually between the ages of 11 or 13 and 18, which charges fees and is not financed by the state. ... Radley is a small village located about 6 miles (10 km) south of Oxford, in the county of Oxfordshire, in the United Kingdom named after Kevin Radley. ... Abingdon is a market town in Oxfordshire, England and is one of the towns which claim to be Britains oldest continuously occupied town. ... Oxfordshire (abbreviated Oxon, from the Latinised form Oxonia) is a county in the South East of England, bordering on Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Warwickshire. ... William Sewell (January 23, 1804 - November 14, 1874), English divine and author, was born at Newport, Isle of Wight, the son of a solicitor. ...

The prevailing ethos is of respect for authority as vested in senior boys, masters — known as "dons" — the Anglican Church (with Evensong during weekdays and a Sung Eucharist every Sunday), and the institutions of the British establishment. Evening Prayer is a liturgy used in the Anglican Communion (and other churches in the Anglican tradition, such as the Continuing Anglican Movement) used in the late afternoon or evening. ...

The college is an academic institution that achieves competitive public exam results - an average of 88% As and Bs at A level examinations over the last two years - but music, art, and drama too play an important role in the life of the school, the latter more so than ever after the opening of the 400-seat "New Theatre" in October 2006. Over 20 entrance scholarships are awarded each year by examination and interview - for music, art, drama and all-round skills as well as academic excellence. Sixth Form Organ Scholarships will be awarded for the first time in 2007, to support the large Chapel Choir and new choristership scheme, and planning for a new pipe organ is underway, to replace the current 3-manual Hill, Norman and Beard instrument. The baroque organ in Roskilde Cathedral, Copenhagen The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by admitting pressurized air (referred to as wind) through a series of pipes. ...

Sports

Most sports are played competitively and are an intregal part of life at Radley. Sports such as Rackets, Rugby Fives and Polo are well represented. Recently in Rowing, Radley has done excellently whilst competing at Henley Royal Regatta, having reached the semi-final of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup twice in the last two years and winning it in 1998. Rugby is the major sport of the Michaelmas (Autumn) Term. The 1st XV team (and their pitch) is known as 'Bigside' while the Shells' (first years') sports teams are known as 'Midgets'. The school fields 21 rugby teams on most Saturdays of the Michaelmas Term. In the Lent (Spring) Term hockey and football are the main sports for those not choosing to row, with Cricket, Tennis and Athletics all popular in the Summer Term. Some recent Old Radleians have progressed to play cricket for England or captain county level cricket teams. A race taking place at Henley Regatta 2004 Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the river Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. ... The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup is an event in Henley Royal Regatta open to school 1st VIIIs. ...

Socials

The pupils live in one of eight "Socials" — see the school vernacular — named A–H. Some students additionally spend a number of terms resident in Orchard House, not a Social in itself but a smaller boarding house for about 30 pupils in the upper three years. The socials are sometimes known by the name of their "Tutor" (Housemaster). For example, C Social is also sometimes known as Sparks' Social after its Tutor, Mr John Sparks. Each social has an Assistant Housemaster ('Resident Sub-Tutor') and Matron ('Pastoral Housemistress') who are also resident in the building. Two more socials (J and K) are currently being built and are due to be opened in September 2008; Orchard House will be incorporated into J Social. As a result the number of boys in each social will drop from an average of 80 to about 65, and the overall size of the school will increase slightly. Look up Vernacular in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The socials compete against each other constantly in sports and extra-curricular activities ranging from debating to chess, bridge, singing and, now, even the efficiency of their recycling of paper, plastic and cans. For the Shells (first years) there is even an inter-social Drama Prize - the Haddon Cup - currently held by H Social.

Many Socials put on an annual play, performed and perhaps directed by boys in that social. Alternatively or additionally they might have a "Cultural Evening" of assorted musical performances, sketches, dances and dramatic extracts, staged in the Silk Hall or Theatre.

Vernacular

Radley, like many traditional public schools, has an unusual system for naming the school years, which can cause confusion to those not familiar with the system. Education in the United Kingdom is covered in the following articles: Education in England Education in Northern Ireland Education in Scotland Education in Wales Grammar schools in the United Kingdom Achievement in British Education List of schools in the United Kingdom British universities School inspection organisations: Office for Standards in...

• First year (age 13-14): Shell (boys are grouped by ability from Shell 1 to Shell 7)
• Second year (age 14-15): Remove
• Third year (age 15-16): Vth Form
• Fourth year (age 16-17): VI.1 ("Six One")
• Final year (age 17-18): VI.2 ("Six Two")

In earlier years there was also the "Fourth Form", which confusingly was a smaller group age 12-13 admitted in the summer term, having taken the entrance exams in the spring term. Ability grouping is the practice, in education, of placing students into groups or classes based on their abilities, talents, or previous achievement. ...

The term 'Shell' for a lower year group is shared with Harrow School and Westminster School. The name originates from the shell-shaped alcove in 'School' at Westminster where the younger boys were originally taught. Harrow School, (originally: The Free Grammar School of John Lyon; generally: Harrow), is one of the worlds most famous schools. ... The Royal College of St Peter at Westminster (almost always known as Westminster School) is one of Britains leading boys independent schools and one of the nine public schools set out in the Public Schools Act 1868. ...

• Stig - First year individual (slang)
• Midgets - First year sports teams (eg Midgets 1 Hockey, Midgets 6 Rugby)
• Warden - Headmaster
• Sub-Warden - Deputy Headmaster
• Don - Teacher
• Pup - School Prefect
• HP - House Prefect
• Social - Boarding House
• Social Prayers - the Wednesday evening house assembly (instead of an evening Chapel service that day)
• (Social) Tutor - Housemaster
• Sub-Tutor - Assistant Housemaster
• Leave Away - Half-term
• Privi (short for Privilege Weekend) - Weekend away at home
• Bigside - College 1st XV Rugby/1st XI Hockey & Cricket (also the 1st's pitch)
• Stonewall - College 5th & 6th XVs Rugby
• Prep - supervised time in the boarding houses each evening when prep (corresponding to homework in a day school) is tackled
• Wet Bob - A boy who rows in the Lent and Summer terms
• Dry Bob - A boy who plays hockey and cricket in the Lent and Summer terms

Television series

During the 1979 summer term, the school's activities were filmed by the BBC for a series called "Public School", broadcast on BBC2 early in 1980. Capturing the end of a period when such schools felt genuinely afraid that the Labour government might push through legislation to close them down (there is a memorable scene of the headmaster expressing his delight in Margaret Thatcher's first election victory), the programme nevertheless now seems like a period piece, if only because it shows certain teaching methods and values that would never be allowed today. ^{[citation needed]}. The British Broadcasting Corporation, which is usually known as the BBC, is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GB£4 billion. ... BBC Two (or BBC2 as it was formerly styled) was the second UK television station to be aired by the BBC. History The channel was scheduled to begin at 7:20pm on April 20, 1964 and show an evening of light entertainment, starting with the comedy show The Alberts and... The Labour Party is a centre-left or social democratic political party in Britain (see British politics), and one of the United Kingdoms three main political parties. ... Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC (born October 13, 1925), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in office from 1979 to 1990. ...

Former pupils

A Category:Old Radleians is being compiled on this site

• Peter Cook, Comedian.
• Desmond Llewelyn, Actor (who played Q in many James Bond films).
• Lord Scarman, Judge.
• Clive Stafford Smith, Campaigning Lawyer.
• Andrew Strauss, Cricketer.
• Ben Hutton, Cricketer.
• Jamie Dalrymple, Cricketer.
• Ted Dexter, Cricketer.
• Peter Wildeblood, Journalist and Playwright.
• Gerald Brenan, one of the most revered Hispanists of the twentieth century
• Harold Monro, founder of the Poetry Bookshop
• Brough Scott, Racing broadcaster and Journalist.
• Andrew Motion, poet and Poet Laureate.
• Alexander Downer, Australian Foreign Minister.
• Richard Wilson, Baron Wilson of Dinton, former UK Cabinet Secretary.
• Sir Ivan Ewart, 6th Baronet, Northern Irish business man and charity worker.
• Charles Howard, Pioneering bomb disposal expert in WW2. Featured in The English patient by Michael Ondaatje.
• Mark Durden-Smith, Television presenter.
• Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery
• James Male, World Raquets Champion
• Christopher Hibbert, historian

Former Wardens include Dennis Silk. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Desmond Wilkinson Llewelyn (September 12, 1913 – December 19, 1999) was a Welsh actor, famous for playing the fictional character of Q in the James Bond series of films. ... Q is a fictional character in the James Bond novels and films. ... Flemings image of James Bond; commissioned to aid the Daily Express comic strip artists. ... Leslie George Scarman, Baron Scarman, PC (29 July 1911 – 8 December 2004) was a Law Lord (retired) and a cross bench member of the British House of Lords. ... Clive Adrian Stafford Smith OBE (born July 9, 1959) is a British-born lawyer who has practised in the area of civil rights in United States of America. ... Andrew John Strauss MBE, (born 2 March 1977 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is an English cricketer who plays county cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club and Test matches and One-Day Internationals for England. ... Benjamin Leonard Hutton, born in Johannesburg, South Africa on January 29, 1977, is a cricketer who plays for Middlesex. ... James William Murray Jamie Dalrymple (born January 21, 1981) is a Kenyan-born English cricketer. ... Edward Ralph Ted Dexter (born May 15, 1935 in Milan, Italy) is a former cricketer. ... Peter Wildeblood (19 May 1923 - 14 November 1999) was a British-Canadian journalist, novelist, playwright, and gay rights campaigner. ... Gerald Brenan (1894-1987) was an English writer who spent much of his life in Spain. ... ... The Poetry Bookshop, which ran in Bloomsbury, London, from 1913 to 1926, was the brainchild of Harold Monro, and was supported by his moderate income. ... Andrew Motion, FRSL, (born October 26, 1952) is an English poet, novelist and biographer who is the current Poet Laureate. ... A Poet Laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events. ... Alexander John Gosse Downer, MP (born 9 September 1951), Australian politician, became Foreign Minister of Australia in March 1996. ... R. G. Casey House, the headquarters of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade This is a list of Australian Foreign Ministers: Note: Prior to 1970, the office was known as the Minister for External Affairs. ... Richard Thomas James Wilson, Baron Wilson of Dinton KCB (born 11 October 1942) is a cross bench member of the House of Lords. ... In the British Government, the Cabinet Secretary, or more formally Secretary of the Cabinet, is the senior civil servant in charge of the Cabinet Office, a department that provides administrative support to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the government as a whole. ... Sir William Ivan Cecil Ewart, 6th Baronet, DSC (18 July 1919 – 29 November 1995) was a decorated Northern Irish naval officer, businessman and charity worker. ... Charles Howard, Earl of Suffolk (1906-May 12, 1941) was an English bomb disposal expert. ... Mark Durden-Smith (born 1 October 1968) is a British television presenter. ... Alexander Robert Sandy Nairne (born June 8, 1953) is a British museum director and writer and since 2002 Director of the National Portrait Gallery. ... At least three art galleries are named National Portrait Gallery: National Portrait Gallery, Australia National Portrait Gallery, London National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Christopher Hibbert, MC, (born 1924) is an English writer and popular historian and biographer. ... Dennis Raoul Whitehall Silk, CBE, (born October 8, 1931), is a former schoolmaster and international cricketer. ...

Southern Railway Schools' Class

The School lent its name to the thirtyfirst steam locomotive (Engine 930) in the Southern Railway's Class V of which there were 40. This Class was also known as the Schools' Class because all 40 of the class were named after prominent English public schools. 'Radley', as it was called, was built in 1934. Although withdrawn in the early 1960s, the nameplate has been preserved by the School and is now displayed in the school shop's stationery department along with a photograph of the train in its glory. Great Western Railway No. ... Below is a list of Richard Maunsells SR Class V Schools locomotives. ... A London and South Western Railway weight restriction sign on a bridge across the Tarka Trail (formerly the Barnstaple to Great Torrington railway) at Instow, North Devon. ... The SR Class V or Schools Class is a class of steam locomotive designed by Richard Maunsell for the Southern Railway. ... Below is a list of Richard Maunsells SR Class V Schools locomotives. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Literature

• Christopher Hibbert, No Ordinary Place: Radley College and the Public School System 1847–1997, 1997, London: John Murray General Publishing Division, ISBN 0-7195-5176-5.

External links

• Official School website
• Independent School Inspection Report on Radley College