Move toward co-ed in Oxfordshire private secondaries

[OxonEd]

MCS has followed Abingdon’s lead to become the next all boys school to go co-ed. Academic girls will be spoiled for choice now with SHSK, OHS and Headington as single sex girls only schools as well as MCS and Abingdon. The competition for boys places at secondary will become even more fierce it seems. I don’t think that leaves any day boys only schools in the surrounding area?

i was interested to see the change as id always thought of MCS as a highly competitive school to get into and didn’t think they ‘needed’ to change. But perhaps they are facing the problem that far fewer parents of boys who are willing to pay, want single sex boys’ education. Most parents of mixed sex siblings I guess want the ability to send them to the same school, with less logistical challenges.

I guess Radley is about the only one left ? Can’t think of any others.

Radley is full boarding which is a very different kettle of fish. They also aren’t in the same category in the league table for results. From the data I’ve seen the boys benefit from the girls but sadly the reverse isn’t true! It will be interesting how this all works as I don’t think there are enough girls to fill all these places especially with post-vat hike.

I was surprised to hear about MCS. As you said, there are no boys only day schools left around Oxford now. My dc both went to single sex schools and we all agreed that for them at least it worked really well. I loved seeing the boys excel at drama/music, and the girls excelling at stem for example.
I just think it's a shame not to have the option anymore for the boys.

And it would REALLY surprise me if Radley were to go co-ed….

I think Radley is now part of a bigger group with a bunch of feeder preps that are all coed so I don’t think it’s entirely out of the question. They’re clearly going to try and cream off the best of the boys from the feeder preps.