In early February, Magdalen College School revealed plans to accepts girls in a gradual process over the next decade.
The school in Cowley Place will welcome girls into Year 3 and Year 4 in September 2027, and Year 7 in September 2030 – joining the existing cohort of sixth form girls.
READ MORE: Oxford head warns ‘worst to come’ after private school rule
Around three miles away, St Edward’s (Teddies) became fully co-ed almost 30 years ago in 1997 and its warden (headteacher) said Magdalen’s announcement was an “endorsement of co-education”.
Alastair Chirnside, of the boarding school, said: “We became a co-ed school a very long time ago because we really believe in it and we’ve seen it work brilliantly well in practice and it’s obviously the model that we know and love.
Helen Pike, Master at Magdalen College School (Image: Andrew Walmsley)
“And it’s very good to see other schools, single sex schools following our lead. It’s taken them a little time to catch up, but they’re getting there.”
Meanwhile the master of Magdalen, Helen Pike, said: “This is an exciting time for everyone at MCS, as we prepare for a new science, library and partnerships building, build our endowment fund, and look ahead to welcoming girls throughout the school.
“We are proud to offer a happy and inclusive learning environment shaped by inspiring teachers and enriching opportunities, one in which the brightest children can learn and flourish together.”
Mr Chirnside of Teddies was speaking after a recent visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, which happens every three years.
The visit gave Teddies a clean bill of health – with almost 100 per cent of parents saying they thought their child was happy and making progress – and awarded them a significant strength for its curriculum.
Alastair Chirnside, warden of St Edward’s School (Image: St Edward’s School)
The warden said he was “very proud” and called the results “extraordinary”.
He said: “We’re very excited to have achieved that result, which follows from all the work that we’ve done to build links with the university and to give our pupils the full benefit of our location.”
Mr Chirnside added that he thought Teddies’ curriculum had been highlighted because they run the International Baccalaureate alongside A-level, with more than 25 different subjects available across each of them.
READ MORE: Oxford pupils meet Reece James as Chelsea partnership begins
In addition they also put on their own courses called pathways and perspectives for years 10 and 11, which are validated and externally accredited by the University of Buckingham.
These are done in subjects that don’t have a GCSE such as design and entrepreneurship, and music technology and popular music.
He said: “I think those elements in combination are a big part of our academic strength.”
Teddies has 127 teachers for just over 800 pupils and this year its students have received offers from US Ivy League universities as well as Oxford and Cambridge.
#Oxford #private #school #unfazed #rivals #coed #announcement