Private school defends use of sprinklers during hosepipe ban

Radley College is an independent full boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18, set in the countryside between Oxford and Abingdon.

It occupies the historic Radley Hall estate, with grounds partly landscaped by Capability Brown in the eighteenth century, and has grown to more than 850 acres in the 2020s.

The private school has now come under fire after locals spotted sprinklers being used on the grounds last week despite a hosepipe ban.

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The sprinklers at Radley College during the hosepipe ban. (Image: Public submission)

Thames Water announced at the end of last month that a temporary ban would start at 12.01am on Thursday, July 23.

This was due to an exceptionally dry spring, three official heatwaves, record‑breaking temperatures and prolonged high demand.

Sprinklers have been in operation at the Oxfordshire site in recent days, but the school has defended this, citing the water use as fulfilling health and safety needs.

A Radley College spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of everyone using our facilities remains our priority.

“During periods of dry weather, pitches can become extremely hard, increasing the risk of injury to players.

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Radley College Chapel and Mansion. (Image: Edmund Blok / Radley College)

“To minimise this risk, some of our pitches are watered for health and safety reasons using water from our on-site borehole.”

Pupils partake in a variety of sports throughout the year including rugby union, hockey, rowing, football, cricket, lawn tennis and athletics.

A statement from Thames Water backs up the school’s use of water to maintain the pitches.

The water company said: “Whilst elements of the ban do restrict some business water use, schools and sporting fields / playing surfaces are still permitted to irrigate with mains water.

“This is due to health and safety requirements.”

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The hosepipe ban remains in place currently across Oxfordshire with no end date yet set despite some rainfall last week and more expected in the coming days.

A spokesperson for Thames Water recently said: “We’ll continue to monitor water levels and conditions across the region.

“We’ll lift the hosepipe ban as soon as conditions allow.

“Thank you to everyone who has already reduced their water use- your support is helping protect water supplies for communities and the environment.”

Formerly known as St Peter’s College, Radley, the school was founded in 1847 by Anglican clergymen William Sewell and Robert Corbet Singleton.

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It was inspired by the Oxford Movement to create a Christian, collegiate-style school with an emphasis on beauty and privacy.

As of the 2026/27 academic year, Radley charges £21,216 per term for boarders, inclusive of VAT, meaning annual fees in excess of £63,000.

Notable former pupils include Oxford-born reality TV star and entrepreneur Jamie Laing, best known for Made in Chelsea and his confectionery brand Candy Kittens.

Former England cricket captains Andrew Strauss and Ted Dexter, as well as comedian Peter Cook, all attended Radley College as well.