Radley College is a place where tradition and service sit side by side, and where students are encouraged not only to excel, but to use their energy and creativity to contribute to the wider world.
My recent visit was a moment to celebrate: the boys’ fundraising efforts which have resulted in a £10,000 cheque for the Commonwealth Education Trust (CET).
However, behind that figure is something even more powerful—young people choosing to act on the belief that education is a shared responsibility, and that supporting teachers is one of the most effective ways to widen access and improve learning outcomes.
Building on last year’s momentum
This isn’t our first visit, and that continuity matters. Over the past few years, Radley and CET have built a partnership grounded in shared values: global responsibility, mutual learning, and practical action that leads to measurable change.
This year, the story has continued—proof that sustained partnerships can grow stronger, more embedded, and more impactful with each new cohort.
What makes the Radley College partnership special
The Radley partnership is not simply about fundraising—important as that is. It is also about helping young people understand the “why” behind global inequalities, and the “how” of meaningful contribution. The CET exists to invest in teachers, because teachers are the most powerful resource in the classroom. When teachers have access to practical, high-quality professional development, they can improve learning for thousands of children over the course of their careers. That’s the ripple effect Radley is helping to power—one cohort, one initiative, one act of commitment at a time.
A school partnership model that delivers real-world learning
One of the most encouraging aspects of our time at Radley is how the partnership creates space for students to build real-world skills: teamwork, planning, leadership, communication, and perseverance. These are not abstract outcomes—they are developed through action, in service of something bigger than themselves.
It is also heartening to see how Radley nurtures long-term engagement. CET has seen how alumni remain connected to the cause and continue advocating for educational equity beyond their time at school—an indicator that this partnership is shaping mindsets as well as outcomes.
Looking ahead with gratitude.
We are grateful to everyone who makes this partnership work—school leadership, staff who coordinate the programme, and of course the students who step up year after year.
A special thank you to the team who hosted our visit and supported the fundraising journey. Your encouragement, organisation, and belief in what’s possible are helping to translate student energy into teacher impact.
We want this partnership to keep evolving—deepening the learning for students and strengthening the evidence of impact generated through their support.
As we look forward, we also want to invite other schools to consider what Radley has demonstrated so clearly: that a school partnership can be both values-led and outcomes-driven—developing globally minded young people while materially strengthening education systems through investment in teachers.
If your school is interested in partnering with CET, we would love to hear from you. Email partnerships@commonwealtheducationtrust.org
