We are thrilled to announce that following a successful ISI Material Change Inspection in July, St John’s Beaumont will welcome girls into the Middle School from September 2024. This exciting development marks a new chapter in the School’s 135-year history.
Since opening our doors to girls in the Pre-Prep in September 2023, we have been delighted by the warm welcome they have received from the entire school community. Their positive impact has been evident from the start, and we are excited to build on this success as girls move up to the Middle School in Year 3 and 4 in September 2024.
By providing an education for both boys and girls, we aim to create a richer and more dynamic learning environment. Co-education brings a broader perspective to classroom discussions, accelerates the development of social skills, and offers greater opportunities for all our pupils.
We are committed to delivering an exceptional St John’s Beaumont education to both girls and boys for generations to come.
According to academic research and experience of school that have become co-educational the benefits are:
The school uniform was fully reviewed and updated to include a range for options for girls from Nursery and above.
Our current uniform remains suitable for all children joining Pre-Prep in Nursery and Reception. For girls joining Year 1 and above, we have introduced exciting new items including a navy winter pinafore, a pinstriped summer dress, and additional options for swimming, PE, and Games.
We already have good relationships with the top co-educational senior schools such as Wellington and Charterhouse.
We will develop new relationships with girls’ schools, many of which we already have contacts, e.g. Wycombe Abbey, Roedean, St Paul’s Girls, and Queen Anne’s Caversham.
Perhaps the most obvious change is that dedicated toilets and changing rooms have been created.
There are existing facilities in the swimming pool and sports hall. The Pre-Prep building was fully refurbished in the summer of 2023 and includes new girls toilets. Changing and toilet facilities in the main school building were added in the summer of 2024.
We will develop our sports and performing arts facilities to enable a broader co-curricular offer, e.g. netball, hockey, gymnastics and dance. We will also provide the opportunity for girls to participate and enjoy all the existing sports, such as football, rugby, and cricket.
Our playground and breaktime areas have been reviewed to ensure that there is still room for very active play, e.g. football, as well as quieter interaction.
Most of our staff already have co-educational experience. Mr Barr, the incoming Headteacher has co-educational leadership experience.
All staff have been provided with support and training within the school so that we can ensure it is a truly co-educational experience for all pupils.
As part of the ISI Material Change inspection, the curriculum was fully reviewed to ensure appropriate and well-balanced plans and schemes of work for both boys and girls.
Our PSHE curriculum already reflects gender in its teaching, but we are reviewing the content to ensure it fully reflects being a co-educational school.
One of the principles that will underpin our approach to co-education will be ‘everything for everyone’ so that we will always endeavour to achieve full inclusivity.
Within the Jesuit Pupil Profile is respect for others, celebration of diversity and loving by your just actions and kind words. We nurture and encourage these qualities in our pupils today and will do so in the future.
Yes.
Mrs Powell-Harper (Head of Pre-Prep), Miss Flynn (Year 4 teacher/Head of Middle School) and Miss Murphy (Head of Maths/Head of Upper School) lead relevant sections in the school and sit on the Senior Leadership Team.
Ms Jean O’Brien sits on the Governing Council as the Co-Education Governor.
For same reasons that you would send your son: high academic achievement for all; entry to the most suitable senior school for each child; development of personal characteristics and qualities contained within the Jesuit Pupil Profile; as well as a shared educational experience for your sons and daughters.
As a pioneering young woman at St John’s Beaumont, your daughter will be a part of something truly special. Your daughter will benefit from the strong academic foundation the school is renowned for, while also gaining invaluable experience in a co-educational environment. Being part of this historic transition will shape her into a confident, well-rounded individual, equipped to excel in a world that increasingly values diversity and collaboration.
We currently only plan to offer day places.
When we girls entering Year 5 and above, if there is considerable interest in boarding, the school will take a view on developing a new girls’ boarding facility.