Wetherby Kensington going co-ed – thoughts?

[GirlySwot7]

Just had an email through to say they’re starting to admit girls next year and will finish phasing them in by 2030. I’m not sure what to think (have a small son that we’re considering WK for) – plenty of 7+ prep to be had for girls, but the 7+ really feels like a boys’ process in West London. I don’t mind mixed schooling so this won’t necessarily deter me, but the big selling point was boys’ exam prep so I’m not sure exactly how it’ll all work in practice. Nothing on the website either! Anyone else considering WK?

they'll only doing it because they're desperate for the money.

Not many girls will come - maybe a handful at first if they're lucky - and that's likely to be siblings. So few girls in a boys school creates issues for sports teams etc.

So consider if you want to risk the school closing within a year.

LOL t them photoshopping girls into their photos 😂

It’s interesting that they are starting from 2027 - suggests that they still have spaces left for 2027 entry (unless they are expanding the school, which isn’t mentioned?) It’s a bit rich considering how much hype they put out about the need to register at birth etc!

they have TONS of space

Wetherby School (2-8) capacity 321 - roll:112
Wetherby Prep (8-13) capacity 450 - roll: 351
Wetherby Senior: capacity is over 700 - school currently has 457

Yes, watching the numbers is a very good point. I don’t think they’re empty though – they max out at 176 in the actual school and the additional capacity is to build out a nursery (https://reports.isi.net/DownloadReport.aspx?t=c&r=FLWMC9406_20230801.pdf&s=9406). You’d also expect Y3 to be emptier if boys are successful at the 7+.

But yes basically trying to figure out if they’re getting a little desperate or if they’re trying to capture a niche part of the market. Right now there aren’t many places that will prep girls for a set of mixed 7+ schools (WUS, King’s, LU), so maybe they’re trying to position themselves a place for girls to do that too. So many girls’ schools select at 4 and then push towards the 11+ so maybe some families would want an option to have a school that pushed to the 7+ for both sexes. I’m not at all wedded to WK as a destination, we’ve got nice options to consider, I’m just very interested in the shifting educational landscape!

they would only be accepting girls if they were desperate - as it "undemrines" the ethos of the school being boys only. they might be future proofing tbf, but still...

the choice of inde schools is going to reduce and reduce... those that can cling on will survive... nd only the bigger schools will survive -

As an offer holder, I also received the same email this morning and was a bit surprised/confused by the announcement. In fact I have a DD who I am still not sure where to send but I would not want her to be one of a few girls in a sea of boys at such a young age.

It does sound like they are getting a bit desperate, though many top academic single sex schools in the country are going co-ed atm. I wonder if the NH school is also getting desperate? If there are any current parents in either schools I would really appreciate their thoughts as we will be asked to pay a deposit soon.

In a way it is a welcomed development though as most top tier girls pre preps require a 4+ assessment.