I would like to invite all parents to an Information Evening on Wednesday 21 January at 6pm in the Spinney Theatre. I will present the broad rationale that has led to this decision and, together with my colleagues, outline the way forward for the school as we embrace co-education in the years to come. We will be issuing an ‘FAQ’ document at the event as well as inviting any questions from the floor.
The inclusion of girls will be a change to the school community but our structure, ethos and philosophy, will all continue unaffected. The entry points of Nursery, Reception, Year 3 and Year 7 will all remain, as will our historical and proud commitment for senior school transition at the end of Year 6 and Year 8 to a broad range of destinations. Small class sizes, first class facilities, academic achievement, sporting pedigree and performing and creative arts opportunities are the top five reasons, by some distance, for parents sending their sons to The Beacon and all these will prevail; no doubt enhanced by the addition of girls. Today we have advertised for a ‘Head of Girls’, who will become part of our management team in September and champion the preparation and integration of girls into our community. We envisage a strong field for this position and will announce the appointment later this term.
The best schools are always ‘in development’ and ours is no different. As Head of a school that has been single sex since its formation in 1933 and having been involved with boys’ education for the past 22 years, the temptation is to stay as we are, ignore external pressures and trends and be intransigent to change. All factors, however, point to becoming co-educational as the pragmatic and right thing to do for the school, our pupil community and our parents. My colleagues and I are enthused and excited for how we develop in the coming years with our Beacon boys and girls.
The school will now commence a period of active marketing for the admission of girls in September 2027.