The Radcliffe School
Updated July 2026
The Radcliffe School is a vibrant community school located in Wolverton, Milton Keynes, dedicated to inspiring and achieving through a supportive and inclusive educational environment. It serves students through a comprehensive curriculum and a strong house system, preparing them for future success in higher education, apprenticeships, or the workplace.
Curriculum
Term structure
Teaching approach
The school’s vision is 'Building Bright Futures Together to Inspire and Achieve,' focusing on academic excellence, personalised growth, and a supportive community ethos. Its five core values are Conduct, Learning, Environment, Awareness, and Relationships. The school is committed to inclusion, diversity, and high aspirations for all students, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to their communities.
Programmes
The school offers a broad, balanced curriculum across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. The Sixth Form provides a mix of academic and vocational accreditations, preparing students for university, degree-level apprenticeships, or employment. Core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Languages, Humanities (Geography, History, RE), ICT, Business, Economics, PE, Performing Arts (Music, Drama, Media), and Design Technology and Art.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides comprehensive support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through a graduated 'assess, plan, do, review' approach. Support includes a dedicated Inclusion Team, four SENCos, and 'The Base,' a specialist department for students with autistic spectrum disorders and social communication needs. The school employs a full-time speech and language therapist, curriculum teaching assistants, and learning mentors, and utilizes assistive technologies such as text-to-speech software, dictation tools, and iPads.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school manages admissions through an in-year application process. Prospective families can contact the school directly via email or telephone for enquiries regarding joining.
Calendar
The school operates on a three-term academic year (Autumn, Spring, and Summer). Terms typically run from early September to mid-December, early January to late March, and mid-April to mid-July, with scheduled staff training days and bank holidays.
About the campus
The campus features a range of facilities including a medical room, disabled toilets with emergency alarms, and wide, DDA-compliant doors. The school provides high-quality sporting facilities, a communal staff work area, and has an Additionally Resourced Provision known as 'The Base' for students with social communication difficulties. Expansion plans for Sixth Form accommodation are underway, with new facilities scheduled to open in 2025.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a range of wider curricular opportunities, including inter-house events in sports such as netball, football, dodgeball, and basketball. Students can participate in the Sports Leaders programme, which involves assisting with primary school festivals, supporting local sports days, and running extra-curricular clubs. Additionally, the school provides homework clubs before school, at break, at lunch, and after school.
Paula LawsonHeadteacherPaula Lawson has been Headteacher since January 2017 and has worked at The Radcliffe School for 18 years. She also serves as the Chair of the Radcliffe Community of Schools, working with primary partner headteachers to support the wider community.
Phil SouthwellDeputy HeadPhil Southwell has worked at The Radcliffe School for 18 years. He is responsible for overseeing the Quality of Education and the curriculum.
Jason FalknerBusiness ManagerJason Falkner has worked at The Radcliffe School for 18 years. He leads on finance, timetabling, site management, support services, and management information systems.
Steve TruanAssistant HeadteacherSteve Truan has worked at The Radcliffe School for 18 years. He leads on cultural capital, extra-curricular programmes, digital employability skills, transition from Key Stage 2 to 3, community voice, and marketing.
Ann-Marie SmithAssistant HeadteacherAnn-Marie Smith has worked at The Radcliffe School for 10 years. She leads on Initial Teacher Training, Assessment for Learning, reading and writing improvement strategies, and CPD programmes, and also serves as Head of Sixth Form.
Harry Foster-SmithAssistant HeadteacherHarry Foster-Smith has worked at The Radcliffe School for 3 years. He leads on STEM, home learning, rewards strategy, Year 11 standards, KS4 options, and the National Tutoring Program.
Gary StiltonAssistant HeadteacherGary Stilton has worked at The Radcliffe School for 5 years. He leads on attendance and serves as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.