Why has St James decided to become co-educational across all its schools?
The decision is grounded in strong parental interest and a shared belief that co-education will open new opportunities for our pupils academically, socially and in preparing them for life beyond school. This also follows from our Prep School’s experience of successfully transitioning to co-education in 2022.
Who was involved in making the decision to go co-educational and what background research was conducted which led to this outcome?
The Trustees, responsible for the strategic development of the schools, have been considering this for some time and it was first discussed a number of years ago. However, we believe the time is right now, given the changing pattern of demand from parents, societal developments which place greater emphasis on co-education over single sex, and the evolving external political and economic environment. This follows a formal consultation with parents.
What is the planned timeline for St James Schools to become fully co-educational?
We will begin welcoming both boys and girls into Year 7 and Year 12 from September 2027, at both our Ashford, Surrey and Kensington Olympia sites. Subject to DofE approval, our phased entry approach will be as follows:
2027/28: Year 7 and Year 12.
2028/29: Years 7, 8, 12 and 13.
2029/30: Years 7–9 and 12–13.
2030/31: Years 7–10 and 12–13.
2031/32: Fully co-educational across the schools.
What will be the impact of this change day-to-day for my child both in the short and longer term?
There will be no impact, either in the short or long term, on your child’s day-to-day experience at the school as we move to a co-educational environment. Lessons, routines, pastoral care, and the overall structure of the school day will remain consistent.
How are the school preparing the staff for these changes?
Staff are working together to prepare for the changes. A number of the staff have previous experience of working in a co-educational environment. The Academic Deputy Head, Mr Paul Reeves has over a decade’s experiences working with boys and co-education environments.
The staff at Olympia and Ashford are also forming a working party so that curriculum preparation and ideas can be shared across the sites. Additionally, they will be able to share experience and expertise of educating boys and girls.
Are there plans to recruit additional staff to support co-education?
We already have a diverse staff body, but if we feel we need to recruit staff with additional expertise, we will consider this. We live by the maxim that ‘once a teacher, always a teacher’ and see no essential difference in the skills set required to teach both Boys and Girls.
Will these changes affect the number of school places available to boys and girls, or the recruitment ratio between them?
These changes will not affect the number of school places available to both boys and girls. While it will be important for us to achieve a balance in gender, we will continue to offer places to any pupil who we feel would benefit from a St James education.
Will the school get bigger because of the change?
It is likely that the school will grow in some year groups, but it our intention to retain the ‘small school’ feel of St James so that we can know and care for all the pupils at the school.
How will the changes affect the school’s selection process and academic standards?
For Kensington Olympia, the main change to Admissions will be that the school will no longer be part of The London 11 + Consortium. Instead, we will offer a holistic assessment of a pupil’s fit for a St James education, through an examination with Quest Admissions and our carefully crafted individual interview days with each applicant and their family. We are proud of being a broad ability school, and it is our intention to remain so.
How will the school manage the changes pastorally once fully co-educational?
We will ensure staff are well trained on managing pastoral issues for both boys and girls, while also sharing, and learning from, best practice of the Ashford Pastoral team. We do not anticipate significant changes: we currently have a strong pastoral structure with tutors, Heads of Section, Assistant Head Pastoral, trained ELSAs (emotional literacy support assistants) and a school counsellor.
What changes will be made to the current school uniform and sports kit?
As we already have a school uniform and sports kit for St James Senior Girls School, we have these in place. Of course, if we need to add any additional items, we will do so. The Olympia site is keen to update the uniform and adapt it for boys. We are looking for something more Kensington, London and will be seeking to have a phased transition to allow for existing parents to make the changes as they can afford it.
What provision is the school making for dealing with medical matters for both boys and girls in the future?
We have a highly experienced nurse practitioners working at both sites, with many years working in the NHS, so we already have a lot of experience of dealing with boys and girls. The Kensington Olympia site will have staff who are trained to deal with issues requiring immediate medical attention; they will also work in conjunction with the Ashford medical team across both sites.
How will the decision to extend co-educational provision at the senior schools impact my child’s education?
This change will not have any detrimental impact on your child’s education at all; it will enhance your child’s experience as additional curriculum opportunities may be provided. Boys and girls will be taught together. It is possible that some of the more sensitive aspects of the PSHE curriculum will be delivered separately, in line with best practice in other co–educational schools.
How will sport at St James be adapted once fully co-educational?
We offer an excellent programme of sport for all, and we intend to continue this. Where possible, pupils from Olympia will be accessing the sporting facilities at the Ashford site. Where not, we will keep using our on-site and local sports facilities.
We will be looking to develop gymnastics and dance as an additional aspect to our sports programme.
Will the curriculum include new subjects?
We already have a wide curriculum. However, we regularly review our provision and if we feel we need to offer any additional subjects, we will do so.
We are excited to broaden our A Level subjects including Politics, History of Art, Psychology and sociology. We have a strong focus on the Arts at Olympia.
How will the school’s co-curricular activities be adapted once fully co-educational?
The key aspect of the co-curricular provision is opportunity. All pupils will have the opportunity to participate in their interest, their passion, outside the classroom. Sports clubs are likely to be single sex for most but there will be the opportunity for co-educational clubs.
What changes or investments will you make to the facilities to prepare for the wider introduction of girls into the earlier years in the school?
We are commissioning an estate management review to ensure that our facilities will fully meet the needs of all pupils in a co-educational environment. With two years to go before the proposed move there is ample time to plan carefully and deliver any necessary changes. This work will consider the importance of minimising disruption to existing pupils. We are also investing in a new Sixth Form space, the Davinci Centre, which will be completed in September 2026.
Will going fully co-educational have any impact on school fees, scholarships or bursaries?
No, gender will not affect the processes in place for school fee reviews or how we approach scholarship or bursary applications at either site.
I am interested in my child joining the school. Who should I contact about this and when is the earliest they can join?
For all admission enquiries, please contact our school Registrar, Mrs Patricia Snowdon by email at admissions@stjamesolympia.co.uk or phone 020 7348 1748. For September 2026 entry (boys only), registration has now closed; however, please contact our admissions team to discuss a late application. Our first co-educational intake for Year 7 and Year 12 will be September 2027.
How do I arrange a visit to the school following the announced changes?
To arrange a personal tour, please contact our school Registrar, Mrs Patricia Snowdon, by email at admissions@stjamesolympia.co.uk or phone 020 7348 1748. Alternatively, book to attend one of our upcoming Open Events.
How far in advance should we register for a place now that demand may increase with co-education?
St James Senior Schools provide a caring and dynamic education which has a great deal of interest from our local surrounding Prep schools. In order to avoid disappointment, please book a place to meet the Head, Mrs Helen de Mattos, and a tour around the Kensington Olympia site.
