July Newsletter. Brexit. Rugby School. Radley College

Thursday July 7th, 2016

July. Last week of school for some, for others the school year has already finished!

I am sure you can’t wait to spend the summer with your children. Many of you have booked the summer schools in the UK for their children– language, academic and activities. Hope the weather in the UK keeps lovely and sunny. Last minute bookings for the summer camps are still available for second half of July to beginning of August. Do ask if interested.

As you will have heard, the UK had been through a bit of a shake up recently with the Brexit referendum. The vote took place just over two weeks ago, on the 23 June, and still the only thing we hear on the news here is the discussions and debates about Brexit. Only time will tell, but what is clear now is that Great Britain is facing a lot of uncertainty that is likely to continue for several years to come. It seems that the British public is rather split, with London, Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, Northern Ireland and Scotland all in favour of staying in the EU, whilst Wales and most of the rural parts of England have voted out. I hear that Wales has now changed their mind and wants to remain!

75% of voters of 24 and younger, mostly university students, were in favour of staying in the EU. But, what does Brexit actually mean for education?

Many university representatives including some of the vice-chancellors from Universities UK have made public statements after Brexit, their main concern is that the reputation of Britain as a global leader in higher education could be harmed. But they were reassuring that the British universities will continue to embrace staff and students, academic and business partnerships across the world just like they have been doing before.

Until Britain formally leaves the EU, if ever, in at least another 2 years, all the aspects of applying and studying at a British university will remain the same.

Even though the UK was never part of the Schengen zone, some worry that movement of people will become more problematic, perhaps at least for families and friends of those studying in the UK. After all immigration was one of the main reasons people voted leave.

These are just some of the issues that surround the topic of education, but since politicians have not given the public any clear plans for future, the people are left to ponder in a time of uncertainty.

On a more positive note, let’s continue our series about the best and most famous British public schools and have a look at some interesting facts about Rugby School and Radley College.

Rugby School                  Motto:  ‘Orando Laborando’

Rugby, Warwickshire                   ‘By praying, by working’

• One of the oldest independent schools in the UK, founded in 1567, day and boarding. 20 or 30 years ago day pupils were perceived very much as second class citizens here and they existed as an off-shoot of the main School. Times changed and day pupils are fully integrated into the school life here.

Today Rugby School has 810 students, both girls and boys (became co-educational in 1995), 10% of whom are international students.

• The sport of Rugby Football has developed into what it is today, because of the students who attended Rugby School in the early 19th century.
  To be more specific in 1823, Rugby local William Webb Ellis, once disregarded the rules of football and took the ball in his arms and ran with it, originating the game of rugby football.
  

  Rugby School

  Today, innumerable tourists visit the ‘home of the game’ and rugby teams from all over the world can be seen training against the distinctive backdrop of Butterfield’s Chapel. Running with the ball became more and more common and by 1850s Rugby Football was known across the nation.

By 1845 ‘Laws of Football as played at Rugby School’ booklet was created. Now Rugby is a global sport played in many countries such as South Africa, Japan or Georgia. Interestingly, in 1820 the game of Rugby used to be played very much like what we now know as football or soccer, but the players were allowed to catch the ball and then kick it out of their hands. There were also no limits on the amount of players on each side in the game.  Apparently, once when Queen Adelaide visited the school there was a game in which one side had 75 players and the other 225! Some games would even last up to 5 days.

• Also famous for being the birthplace of the game Rugby Fives (related to Eton and Wessex fives) a handball game similar to squash. The game has a relatively big following nationwide, and even has its own governing organisation the Rugby Fives Association.
• Around 8% every year to Oxbridge.
• Famous alumni include Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister as Great Britain entered World War II and Lewis Carroll, author of the children’s classics “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass.”

Radley College     Motto: ‘Sicut serpentes, sicut columbae’

Radley, Oxfordshire    ‘Be as wise as snakes, as gentle as doves’

• Radley college is incredibly competitive, and parents are encouraged to register their children for 13+ entry at birth or as early as possible.
• Radley has quite small pupil number, only 700 pupils, but a lot of land – 800 acres!
• Founded in 1847 and one of four boy-only, boarding-only independent senior schools in the country. Other three Eton, Harrow and Winchester.
• Each year around 140 boys join the school at 13+, and out of all the places only around 35 are assigned to those who registered late.
• Since Radley has 800 acres of land, the students are able to enjoy that space for various sporting activities. Lake, tennis courts and even golf course are located on the school premises.
  

  Abingdon Rowing

• In terms of sport it is probably most known for rowing, but several England cricketers are also former Radleians, including the present Director of Cricket for England, Andrew Strauss.
• Radley performs very well academically with over 90% of students each year achieving As and Bs in their A-level exams and on average 15 boys go to Oxbridge each year.
• Some of the most notable alumni include cricketer Andrew Strauss, Present Director of Cricket for England, novelist Peter Wildeblood and actor Peter Cook.

At Regency Education we guide you through the complexities of the British education, finding the best possible solution for each individual child. Please get in touch if you would like to talk about school or university applications, guardianship, academic mentoring or tutoring. We also help finding summer schools and short courses for children and for adults in the UK.