Prep Schools Trust and Radley College are to merge, creating one of the most-significant groups within the charitable independent school sector.

Prep Schools Trust currently educates 1,600 pupils aged 2-13 across seven schools in the UK: 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 aged 13-18.

This merger presents both charities with the opportunity to be part of something groundbreaking in the independent schools’ sector: offering 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.

Warden (headmaster) of Radley College, 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.”

Head of Mowden Hall School, Phil Sturt, added: “This is a truly-exciting chapter for the history of our school.

“We are excited about what lies ahead and proud of the strong foundations that make it possible.

“At Mowden, pupils already benefit from outstanding teaching and learning, both inside and outside of the classroom.

“Combining our strengths and experience with the rest of the Radley Schools Group, we will be able to continue to offer outstanding opportunities for our current, and future, pupils for years to come.”

Following the merger, each school will continue to retain its independent identities and markets.