Reeds Cobham - is the Death of the Boys-Only Independent School is truly upon us..

[AndreaKnowsBest]

Reed’s School in Cobham has just announced (May 2026) that it will welcome girls into Year 7 from September 2027. It’s joining a long and growing list: Abingdon, RGS Guildford, Magdalen College School...

What was once a proud tradition of single-sex boys’ education now feels like it’s on life support. Seems boys’ schools are rushing to “diversify” or “future-proof” themselves by going co-ed.

Financial pressures, falling numbers in some cases, parental demand for sibling continuity, and the broader societal shift away from single-sex models seem to be the drivers. Even schools that were oversubscribed are making the move.

Meanwhile, many girls’ schools continue as single-sex safe spaces, with far less pressure to open to boys. There are still more fully girls-only independents (around 139) than boys-only ones (92), according to ISC data, and the top holdouts like some of the leading girls’ schools show no sign of changing.

Is this the inevitable end for boys-only schools outside the very elite few (Eton, Harrow, Radley etc.)? Or is something lost when we erase these environments that many argue helped boys focus, build confidence in certain subjects, and develop without the social dynamics of mixed classes during formative years?

Reed’s timing feels particularly late, as an example, announcing now for a 2027 start means the change is already upon us with little debate time. Families planning ahead for 11+ might feel blindsided, despite them proclaiming it is a return the their roots - no organisation woukd do this for purely historical reasons, finances and future proofing always pay a role - especially at seemingly short notice...

Would love to hear others’ thoughts, especially parents of boys who valued (or are losing) the single-sex option. I know at RGS who are not happy about the move, but, is co-ed always better, or are we losing something valuable for boys specifically?

I think single sex education has its place for boys as well as girls.

DS was at one of the schools mentioned on here and he really thrived with excellent education and amazing facilities. The lack of girls meant the style of teaching was tailored to the boys and there were loads of clubs and societies he found really interesting. We chose it on the basis that he wasn't very sure of himself as an 11 year old, and not having to compete against studious girls meant that he gradually gained more confidence in his own abilities.

DD went coed.

Seems like we bucked the trend!

@ElectionEnnuiGirls are not shut away in girls’ schools! They have a life outside school. They meet boys at various events and know brothers of friends and not all girls are horrible! Are all women horrible? Most DDs are perfectly prepared for adult life in girls schools! They even have male teachers.

I think you might have misunderstood my intended meaning of 'all girls' - I meant this purely in the context of "all girls' schools" as in single sex girls' schools. I certainly wasn't saying all girls are horrible (or the same in any particular way).

Where I am in Ireland, most secondary schools were historically single sex. In my town we still have three thriving girls secondaries, one small boys secondary and the other two traditionally boys schools are all now coed. All state schools, the only private has been coed since 1850. Its certainly a modern trend impacting the demand for all boys schools.