Eight schools – one future: an historic merger in the independent schools’ sector
Radley College and Prep Schools Trust are delighted to announce one of the most significant mergers in the charitable independent education sector to date. Radley College and all the seven Prep Schools Trust schools will, from September, come together to form Radley Schools Group.
Prep Schools Trust currently educates 1,600 pupils from age two to 13 across the UK in its seven schools: Barfield School; Beeston Hall School; Chandlings Prep School; Cothill House; Kitebrook Preparatory School; Mowden Hall School and West Hill Park School.
Radley College – one of three remaining all boys, all boarding schools - is situated just outside the city of Oxford and numbers 770 boys from age 13 to 18. This merger presents both charities with the opportunity to be part of something groundbreaking in the independent schools’ sector: greater security and access to resource and expertise, and a louder voice and wider influence in helping to shape the future of independent charitable education for children of all ages.
The Council of Radley College will take on the governance responsibility for the Group. The Warden (Headmaster) of Radley College, John Moule, will oversee its strategic development while retaining his day-to-day responsibilities at Radley. The Chief Executive of Prep Schools Trust, Tom Beardmore-Gray, who had already announced his decision to retire this Summer after serving PST with distinction for the last seven years, will be succeeded as Chief Executive by Andrew Ashton, currently Radley’s Bursar.
John Moule said: “Radley College and Prep Schools Trust believe in the timeless and authentic values of high quality charitable independent education. That is why we are coming together to create Radley Schools Group. Through the strength and stability of a wider group, we are committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all our pupils throughout their childhood and to each school retaining its strong identity in its local context. Blending the very best of tradition and innovation, we seek to develop young people of outstanding character and purpose. We, as a College, remain committed to our all boys all boarding offer but this merger gives us the chance to develop authentic and dynamic thought-leadership on issues of pastoral care, teaching and character education for generations of children to come.”
Tom Beardmore-Gray said: “As a group, Prep Schools Trust has made significant progress in recent years and we are very proud of what we have achieved. It became very clear to us at the outset of our discussions with Radley that our vision and values were closely aligned and that gives us the confidence and the firmest of foundations on which to build something I believe will be very special for our current and future pupils.”
Following the merger, each school will continue to retain their independent identities and markets. Over time, Radley Schools Group will ensure its schools become known for providing an innovative and successful education in each setting, with a sensitivity to local context and need. In a changing educational landscape, Radley Schools Group will work together to meet all the societal, economic and political challenges faced by the charitable independent school sector – and, together, be a force for good.
Notes to editors
The merger deed is being signed this week and the legal completion of the merger is due to take place on 1st September 2025.
Below is a video message from John Moule, Warden of Radley; Tom Beardmore-Gray, Chief Executive of Prep Schools Trust; David Smellie, Chair of Radley College Council (governing body); Emma McKendrick, Chair of the Prep Schools Trust Board of Trustees; and Andrew Ashton, Radley College Bursar.
May 2025