Head of independent Old Windsor school hopes co-ed switch will foster equality

A formerly all-boys school in Old Windsor founded in 1888 has reflected on the success of its move to co-ed education – which it hopes will help combat misogyny in society and foster equality.

St John’s Beaumont is a prep school for children aged three to 13.

It is now run by Intellego Education, having originally been asked by The Jesuit Trustees to review the school’s performance in 2022.

A decision was made to transition St Johns Beaumont into a co-ed school, and shortly afterward a new headteacher joined, Philip Barr.

In September 2023, girls were welcomed up to Year Two, with the idea that later years will become co-ed as this cohort moves up through the school.

Now, 15 per cent of the pupils from nursery to Year 4 are girls.

Mr Barr says the transition has been ‘very positive’, using the example of one of the girls – now in Year 4 – who has ‘integrated wonderfully’ and has joined the A-teams for football and rugby.

“I think it’s given the boys a really good sense that this isn’t a boys game, and boys and girls can be equally good,” he said.

This, Mr Barr added, is the major advantage of the switch, which was influenced by a growing number of parents who for practical reasons wanted their son and daughter to attend the same school.

“Following all the reports about misogyny in some very high profile independent senior schools, we have the opportunity to make sure boys and girls grow up in an equal environment together,” Mr Barr said.

“It’s hopefully helping the next generation going out into society to have less antagonistic views of one another.

He added: “The biggest positive that I’ve seen is the way they’re interacting with each other, recognising that it’s a human being first.”

Mr Barr put the smoothness of the transition down to the Jesuit ethos and culture of the school – which Intellego Education has pledged to maintain. Dr Stephen Spurr, the organisation’s chairman, said the ‘tradition of excellent teaching and the instilling of strong moral values – both as relevant today as in the past – is the legacy we are proud to have been entrusted to build upon’.

“Our students understand that in our heritage as a Jesuit school, visitors and guests are always made to feel very welcome. When someone new joins, that’s the approach,” said Mr Barr.

“That’s a big part of our tradition and heritage – the human being is important, not where they’re from, not what their colour skin is, not what gender they are.”

Asked about how the girls are handling a majority male environment, Mr Barr said the school has seen ‘no negative impact on the girls whatsoever.’

“The parents have really embraced it,” he said.

“Our most recent addition, who came from another school, is absolutely thriving and has made really good friends, both boys and girls. Her parents can’t believe the difference between where she came from [and here].”

As for how the boys are responding, Mr Barr said they have been ‘an absolute joy.’

“They’ve welcomed the girls just like any other new pupil starting. It’s just another friend on the playground,” he said.

The school has made several changes to its facilities to support the transition; for example, it has just unveiled a new multi-purpose artificial sports pitch, designed to accommodate sports like hockey and netball.