Radley College
· OX14 2HR
Radley College is a fully boarding Church of England school for boys aged 13–18, set on a 750-acre estate near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. One of England's most prestigious traditional boys' boarding schools, it combines rigorous academics with an exceptional breadth of co-curricular life, organised around its distinctive 'Social' (house) system. The school emphasises character formation alongside intellectual development, with a culture that prizes kindness, responsibility and community alongside achievement. Consistently lauded by the Good Schools' Guide and Tatler, Radley is regarded as a peer of Eton and Winchester among the leading full-boarding schools.
- →Full-boarding environment on a stunning 750-acre campus creates a genuinely immersive, community-driven experience
- →Exceptional co-curricular breadth — outstanding sport, music, theatre, CCF and outdoor activities all integrated into the weekly timetable
- →Strong pastoral culture emphasising kindness and mutual respect, with the 'Social' system providing close-knit house communities
- →Consistently strong A-level results with high Oxbridge and Russell Group destinations
- →Distinctive 'Radley Keys Award' personal development framework alongside academic programme
Who thrives here
Boys who will thrive in a full-boarding community and want to be stretched academically while immersing themselves in sport, music, theatre or outdoor pursuits alongside a strong peer group. The school rewards those who engage enthusiastically with school life as a whole rather than simply pursuing narrow academic goals.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
OX14 2HR
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Rupert Murdoch
Media proprietor and founder of News Corp
Ted Heath
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Andrew Motion
Poet Laureate and author
Tom Hollander
Actor (The Night Manager, Bohemian Rhapsody)
Will Young
Singer and Pop Idol winner
Jonah Lomu
New Zealand rugby union legend — attended briefly
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
How do you get into Radley College?
Radley College admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Radley College's exam results?
At Radley College, 41.2% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 74.8% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Radley College a boarding school?
Radley College offers boarding as well as day places.
What is Radley College's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Radley College “Excellent” (2019).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Exceptional pastoral care — boys feel genuinely known and valued by staff
✓Outstanding breadth of co-curricular life; boys are busy, engaged and challenged outside the classroom
✓Strong sense of community and lifelong friendships formed through full boarding
✓Sport at an extremely high level, especially rowing, cricket and rugby
✓Beautiful, well-resourced campus that feels like a genuine community
Common concerns
!Very high fees with limited bursary provision make it inaccessible to most families
!All-male, full-boarding environment is not for everyone — limited flexibility for day or flexi-boarding
!Some parents note the traditional culture can feel slow to evolve on social and diversity issues
!Distance from home can be challenging for younger boys in the early terms