What is going on at Winchester College, anyone know why they are considering co-ed?!!!

[flourandeggs]

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/winchester-one-of-the-last-boys-boarding-schools-may-admit-girls-m792dck68

I guess now with all the sexual harassment stories coming out in the press, co-ed schools don't sound as compelling. Opening up all-boys' schools to day and boarding girls is opening up another can of worms.

I disagree. I want my DD's at a mixed school now even more than ever, so that they can learn about these awful things whilst they are under my roof, with lots of conversations going on, so that they are not sent off to Uni and beyond with no idea about the real world.

@njshore

I guess now with all the sexual harassment stories coming out in the press, co-ed schools don't sound as compelling. Opening up all-boys' schools to day and boarding girls is opening up another can of worms.

Many of the best schools in the country are All Boys School till GCSE level at least so it shows there is still a massive demand for them.

If anyone thinks these recent events will put any dent on their student numbers, then I'd advise you to think again. Dulwich College for example was massively oversubscribed this year and it's been that way for as long as I can remember. For every parent willing to give up their place, there are 5 happy to snap up that free space.

Aren't girls more likely to get into top universities?

@Oohhhbetty

I disagree. I want my DD's at a mixed school now even more than ever, so that they can learn about these awful things whilst they are under my roof, with lots of conversations going on, so that they are not sent off to Uni and beyond with no idea about the real world.

It doesn't matter. Stories come from all places: independent, state, single-sex schools, co-eds. Just because girls are at single-sex schools doesn't mean that they are not exposed to harassment, as obvious by all the postings. The original website was created by a girl at Wycombe Abbey and recent one by a girl from Wimbledon High.

@Elij00 not sure what your point is in reference to my post. I think we're saying the same thing. I'm not questioning whether boys' schools will lose popularity, but whether girls would now think twice about attending one.

[quote njshore]@Elij00 not sure what your point is in reference to my post. I think we're saying the same thing. I'm not questioning whether boys' schools will lose popularity, but whether girls would now think twice about attending one.[/quote]
I am definitely agreeing with you. I don't even know why I quoted your post tbh but we are certainly on the same page.

I guessed correctly. According to this article, Winchester is slowing down its plan to open up to girls in light of recent developments in the press regarding sexual harassment.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/29/exclusive-winchester-college-may-reconsider-introduction-girls/

I was not expecting that. I thought it was pretty much a done deal. I reckon they'll still let Girls in at some point just that it might take a bit longer.

That's a shame. I thought one of the points was to get the boys to learn to socialise appropriately. Plus the girls would benefit too. Shame the whole thing is taking us backwards

We sent DS to Winchester. He left 8 years ago now, so very much under the old regime.

We chose the school because of the kudos that academic excellence is given, that being very good at Maths, or Music has a similar status to being in Lords (cricket) or in the first 11. It was a very good choice for us.

There are pros and cons to single sex schools.

Boys learn differently to girls - lessons can be catered to appeal to boys.
Mixed sex classes will add more breadth and a more rounded experience.

Boys do not have to conform so much to gender stereotypes and be so macho in a single sex environment.
Boys can learn to act in natural ways and work well with girls in a mixed environment.

The list goes on. In the end, as a percent you make a choice - DS always had/has plenty on friends that are girls, rather than girlfriends, so did not suffer from our choice.

There are plenty of all girls schools and so few all boys ones, which is why I’m centring the benefits to boys of this change. I will be a bit sad if they do change.

Parent, not percent!