Girls will soon be allowed to study at an all-boys Croydon secondary school which was once shortlisted to be named the best independent school in the UK. Trinity School, which accepts pupils aged 10 to 18, announced on Monday (April 28) it is becoming co-educational in every year group with the process to begin in September 2027 with Year 6 and Year 7 pupils, continuing until the whole school has a mix of boys and girls by 2031.
Trinity School, on Addiscombe Road in Shirley Park, was founded in 1882 and boasts famous alumni including Stephen Bryant, violinist and leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and EastEnders actor David Scarboro. It is known for its impressive academic performance, placing 13th in the highly competitive London region for independent secondary schools in 2023 and was shortlisted for Independent Senior School of the Year at the TES Awards 2019.
While its Sixth Form is already co-educational, accepting girls as well as boys since 2011, currently Year 6 to Year 11 is open to boys only. However, from September 2027 this will change as both Years Six and Seven will welcome girls into its cohort.
Year groups will then follow a staggered approach until 2031, when the whole school will be co-educational. Trinity has cited the closure of Croydon girls’ school Old Palace of John Whitgift School, also part of the John Whitgift Foundation, as a reason it is taking the ‘opportunity to extend our offer to younger girls.’ The school hopes to provide the same “nurturing” and “academically ambitious environment” to girls that it already provides to boys.
Trinity has confirmed that the number of boys studying at the school will reduce as the school becomes co-educational. However, this will not be significant as the overall student numbers will increase from the current 1,050 to 1,400 by 2033.
Significant changes coming to the school
There will be significant changes at the school in preparation for the arrival of female students. These include building a new netball facility and the renewal of the hockey Astros to an elite standard.
Trinity will also see a new dining facility, new classrooms and enlarged Sixth Form centre built at the school. However, it has stated that there will be little change to its curriculum as boys and girls should have the same subject opportunities and experiences.
A recent report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate praised the very high standards Trinity met across academic lessons, co-curricular activities and pastoral care. It also stated that it has an “inclusive and collaborative culture” where “students are encouraged to be the best versions of themselves.”
Alasdair Kennedy, Headmaster said: “This is a really exciting new chapter for our school and the wider community. Extending our co-education provision reflects our longstanding commitment to nurturing outstanding young people and preparing them for their future.
“By expanding what we have been doing for older students since 2011, we are building an even more diverse learning environment that benefits everyone. From cognitive skills and critical thinking to creativity and cultures, the greater the range of perspectives and experiences that students are exposed to, the better their learning and personal development outcomes.
“We are proud of our socio-economic and culturally diverse student population and look forward to extending diversity through co-education across all year groups.”
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