Harrow School v Radley College

VaderX · 2022-12-06T21:01:09+00:00

Looking for some first-hand input / feedback. Our son (currently 11) has been offered places at both Harrow School and Radley College for 13+/2024. I realise that both schools are similar in their explicit "format" - ie. boys only; full boarding only; lots of traditions. However, what are the implicit differences? I get a "feel" that Harrow is slightly more academic and perhaps more internationalist/progressive; whilst Radley might be slightly easier academically. Is this a valid summary? What are the other differences? Any input from current or recent parents would be most welcome. Thank you in advance!

nepolibats · 07/12/2022 22:48

I know both schools very well.

I would say that over the last 10 years, Radley has become far more academic than it was previously. It used to be that you would put your sons name down at birth and be guaranteed entry as long as he passed common entrance but that is no longer the case. In fact the school has excellent teaching and an excellent set up for boys to do extremely well academically as well as pursue all sorts of other interests.

Of course Harrow was always thus but they now have some serious competition from Radley.

So it's probably down to what your DS is interested in. Does he want to row? Harrow can't help there. But does he want to be closer to London and less country based? Harrow certainly has the edge there

Original poster

VaderX · 08/12/2022 21:13

Thanks very much nepolibats. That's very useful!

It's interesting to hear that Radley is doing so well academically.

Do you know how either school handles boys who struggle to keep up? Level of additional support, etc...? Or do they get left behind or, worse, ejected?

OP posts:

nepolibats · 10/12/2022 20:17

Gosh I wrote you a long reply last night but I seem to have lost it without posting.

Both schools have amazing housemasters who will be in contact regularly with the boys' teachers so will hear if they are struggling. Prep time does not clash with other commitments so boys are expected to get on with their work and if they fail to do work then housemasters hear about it very quickly. They can then ascertain whether the boy is working properly during prep time or whether they are struggling with the level of work or with their organisation or there is a more serious issue, in which case they get referred to the excellent learning support departments.

Both schools have fabulous value added scores where they get seriously amazing results for the cohort's statistically expected grades and it is because of this excellent system. Value added scores at Radley are higher as their intake wasn't previously so high achieving but it's getting harder to get in year on year because of this. It's no longer a school where you put your sons' names down a birth and then expect them just to pass common entrance to get in!

BoardingDad · 19/08/2025 14:35

nepolibats · 10/12/2022 20:17

Gosh I wrote you a long reply last night but I seem to have lost it without posting.

Both schools have amazing housemasters who will be in contact regularly with the boys' teachers so will hear if they are struggling. Prep time does not clash with other commitments so boys are expected to get on with their work and if they fail to do work then housemasters hear about it very quickly. They can then ascertain whether the boy is working properly during prep time or whether they are struggling with the level of work or with their organisation or there is a more serious issue, in which case they get referred to the excellent learning support departments.

Both schools have fabulous value added scores where they get seriously amazing results for the cohort's statistically expected grades and it is because of this excellent system. Value added scores at Radley are higher as their intake wasn't previously so high achieving but it's getting harder to get in year on year because of this. It's no longer a school where you put your sons' names down a birth and then expect them just to pass common entrance to get in!

Nepolibats, you seem to have great insights into Harrow and Radley. After 3 years from your last message, do you still have the same views? Could you also comment on Tonbridge?

Thanks for your input!