We are delighted to share that our Board of Governors has voted unanimously to extend the co-educational provision in the School from the Sixth Form to the whole School. From September 2026, St Albans School will welcome both girls and boys into the First Form (Year 7).*
The St Albans School vision is to help each pupil flourish intellectually and personally, developing self-knowledge and self-confidence in order to find meaning and purpose in life. The move towards a fully co-educational setting underscores our commitment to this. It ensures that every bright child has the opportunity to benefit from an outstanding St Albans School education and to be a part of its enriching environment.
Our becoming fully co-educational is another exciting step forwards in the School’s long and successful history.
* Subject to DfE approval
"St Albans School is a remarkable place, and it is a privilege and pleasure to be the Headmaster of this great institution. We might be a school of very many years standing, but we are certainly not standing still. Since my arrival, it has been clear to me from the very first day what an outstanding school this is. Between the impressive academic results, nurturing pastoral care, and astonishingly broad co-curricular offering, the school offers a remarkable opportunity to those who come here to learn. Ours is a values-driven education, where we have high expectations of the pupils here; expectations that are both met and exceeded by the brilliant individuals who leave here and go on to do great things.
We are a school that is more popular than ever, and in the current climate we are proud to be flourishing and over-subscribed. Now, then, is the time to widen our offer, to move from strength to strength with confidence and ambition. I firmly believe, as do the Governors of the School, that the educational offer we make should be open to both boys and girls. As a school, we strive to educate our students about the wider world and their place in it. We give a great deal of thought to what it means to be a purposeful and ambitious individual who can make a contribution to society. I am absolutely committed to making this available to all. It is precisely because of our vision and values as a school that now is the right time to complete the co-educational journey which was begun more than thirty years ago when the first girls joined the Sixth Form."
Joe Silvester, Headmaster
"I entered St Albans School as an 11-year old in 1961, to begin what turned out to be an exciting education that broadened my outlook and transformed my prospects.
But, oh my, how the School has changed and improved in the last 60 years – better teaching methods, better facilities, wider curriculum, and a kinder, more caring atmosphere. When girls joined the Sixth Form 30 years ago, they made a special contribution to the rich fabric of our 1,000 year old educational establishment.
No institution of any description survives without improving its work and adapting to changes in the society in which it exists. St Albans School is no exception to this rule and we thrive today because of the developments made by our long history of Heads and Chairs of Governors.
The Board of Governors have now voted unanimously to complete what was begun 30 years ago and invite girls into our whole School community, starting with the First Form in September 2026.
The reason to do this that weighed most with me is that St Albans School exists to prepare young people for the world after education. The world they will enter is vastly different from the one I experienced as a student here, particularly in the growing presence of women in leadership roles across all sectors. To thrive in this evolving landscape, our students - both boys and girls - must develop the interpersonal skills needed to collaborate, communicate, and succeed together. A truly modern education must reflect the world it prepares students for, and that means learning side by side.
As it has for many years, St Albans School is evolving into a better place."
Neil Osborn, Chairman of the Board of Governors
I feel honoured I was able to join St Albans School in the first year girls were welcomed into the Sixth Form and I greatly benefitted from the holistic education I received. I am excited that this will now be an opportunity available to all students in the local area from First Form onwards. I fully support this historic development and look forward to seeing the School's evolution in the coming years.
Anna Philpott (OA 1993), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors
Why has St Albans School decided to extend its co-educational provision across the entire School?
The decision to extend co-education across the whole school is reflective of an institution that never stands still. In fact, becoming co-educational allows the School to move from a position of strength with great confidence and ambition. We strive to educate our students about the wider world and what it means to become a purposeful and ambitious individual who makes a valuable contribution to society. The School is absolutely committed to making this opportunity accessible to all. It is precisely because of our vision and values that now is the right time to complete the co-educational journey that began over 30 years ago in 1991 when girls were first admitted to the Sixth Form.
Likewise, to thrive in this evolving landscape, our students must develop the interpersonal skills needed to collaborate, communicate, and succeed together. A truly modern education must reflect the world it prepares students for, and that means learning side by side.
Who was involved in making the decision to go fully co-educational and what background research was conducted which led to this outcome?
The Board of Governors at St Albans School made the unanimous decision to extend co-educational provision across the entire school starting from September 2026. This decision has been contemplated over a number of years. As part of the decision-making process, the Board of Governors asked the incoming Headmaster, Joe Silvester, to consider and evaluate this proposition carefully. That process also included surveying parents, staff and the Old Albanian (OA) community. Using all of this insight and having conducted thorough research over a period of time into the implications of extending co-educational provision at St Albans School, the proposition was put to the Board of Governors, who agreed, unanimously, to proceed.
What is the planned timeline for St Albans School to become fully co-educational?
St Albans School will welcome both girls and boys into its First Form (Year 7) at the start of the academic year in September 2026, and then into the Third Form (Year 9) in 2028. Thereafter, the transition towards full co-education will ‘grow upwards’ from within the School until those first joiners become a part of the School’s existing co-educational Sixth Form.
How will the St Albans School community be kept updated on the progress of the changes?
This website section on moving towards co-education will be updated with additional questions and answers as the School starts to receive other common queries from both current and prospective parents. All parents have been written to directly by the Headmaster and the Chairman of the Board of Governors regarding the decision. They have also been invited to join a webinar session where they may submit further questions and learn more about the changes ahead.
What will be the impact of this change day to day for my son both in the short and longer term?
For those boys in the First to Fifth Form who are currently at St Albans School, or who are joining the School in September 2025, their experience will be unchanged and exactly what they and their parents are expecting it to be - an outstanding education, nurturing pastoral care and an extremely broad co-curricular offering. As mixed gender year groups join the First Form (Year 7) in September 2026 and make their way up the School organically, the School will continue to provide that outstanding experience for every student. The changes will of course prompt further examination of all areas of school life, for all students, looking at where positive changes can be made for the benefit of the entire community.
How is the School preparing the staff for these changes?
St Albans School is proud to have a highly skilled and dedicated body of staff who are experienced in teaching mixed classes in the co-educational Sixth Form, and who consistently deliver first-class pastoral care across all areas of the School. To support them in preparing to teach and nurture younger girls, the School will be investing in additional best practice training, focused on fully co-educational settings.
Will these changes affect the number of school places available to both boys and girls?
In any given year, if the School received a higher number of candidates who were the right fit for its community, it could comfortably offer more places. From September 2026, the School will not be looking for a particular ratio of boys and girls. Instead, the admissions team will continue to consider each individual applicant based on their own personal merit and will seek to make offers to those children who are best suited to the School’s values and ethos – which is to come here not simply to thrive academically, but to make their own significant contribution to the community.
Will the School get bigger as a result of this change?
At the moment, we have a student roll of approximately 880, but it has the capacity to accommodate 975 students, so it has plenty of space to grow. As a result, the School anticipates steady growth over the next five years.
How will the changes affect the School’s selection process and academic standards?
The selection process will remain the same. St Albans School is an academically selective school, and this will remain a key component of our admissions and selection process moving forward. Great weight is placed on the way in which prospective students’ interview, as well as the references their previous school provides. Taking a holistic view of each applicant allows the School to make well-informed decisions as to their suitability. It is worth noting that the School usually has many more applicants than places, but it does not offer a place to all who apply.
How will going fully co-educational further benefit the Sixth Form provision at St Albans School, which is already co-educational?
Welcoming younger girls into the School community will provide excellent mentoring and leadership opportunities for current Sixth Form students, who will be able to support the younger girls as positive role models. The continuation of providing an outstanding education and nurturing pastoral care will remain unchanged. The move towards full co-education will also enhance the Sixth Form environment with even more girls choosing to stay on at this stage in their educational journey.
How will the School manage the changes pastorally once fully co-educational?
There will be a thorough review to ensure the transition runs smoothly but there will be no fundamental changes to the existing pastoral structure, which is already a key strength of the School. Girls will be welcomed into the Lower School in the same manner as boys, and they will be placed in form groups with an experienced tutor, underpinning the warm relationships held between students and staff.
What role models will be in place to support the girls joining the School?
St Albans School has an extensive mentoring system in place, and this will be extended to include the girls. Alongside our staff role models, the girls in the Sixth Form will also play a key role in this mentoring process and in becoming role models for the younger girls.
What changes will be made to the current school uniform and sports kit?
Ahead of the introduction of girls to the First Form (Year 7) in September 2026, a uniform and sports kit will be designed which closely resembles the current boys’ uniform. We will be working with the girls in our Sixth Form and those wanting to join us on this, so that any uniform or sports attire is designed with their feedback in mind.
What provision is the School making for dealing with medical matters for both boys and girls in the future?
The School has three onsite school nurses who each have a wealth of experience across a number of different disciplines. This includes a Registered Nurse and Children’s Emergency Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in children’s emergency and intensive care medicine, and a qualified adult and children’s nurse who has worked in general children’s medical, adolescent orthopaedics for 42 years. The School also has an adult spinal and a qualified sexual health and reproductive specialist nurse with 15 years’ experience in delivering talks on sex and relationship education in schools and colleges, with additional experience in endocrinology and coronary care.
How will the decision to extend co-educational provision at St Albans School impact my child’s education?
The School will continue to provide a highly ambitious academic education, as well as remaining committed to providing inspirational learning environments that support the needs of all students and that ensure success in whatever their chosen path. It will, however, continue to review its curriculum as part of its ongoing commitment to educational excellence.
Will boys and girls be taught in mixed or separate classes, and will class sizes increase as a result?
Boys and girls will be taught in mixed classes from the First Form (Year 7). Class sizes may vary year-to-year and depending on the subject, but there are no plans to increase class sizes as a result of this decision.
How will sport at St Albans School be adapted once fully co-educational?
Ahead of 2026, the Director of Sport and the Head of Girls’ Games will review the current provision, meet with current girls, and review best practices across co-educational settings. The School will then build upon the sporting excellence already on offer without diminishing the experience its students already enjoy.
How will the School’s co-curricular activities be adapted once fully co-educational?
St Albans School currently offers a wide range of co-curricular clubs and activities across a broad range of interests. One of the School’s key strengths has been its ability to respond to student demand and offer more choice in its programme, supported by dedicated staff. The School will continue to work with its student body to provide activities of interest and to increase its co-curricular offering as required.
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?
The School already has facilities for girls. The introduction of girls into the First Form (Year 7) in September 2026 will add to the girls already in the Sixth Form who are currently accommodated on the main school site and at the School’s sports facilities at Woollams. These will be augmented over the coming years as the number of girls across the School increases.
Is this change financially motivated?
No, moving to co-education is a balanced decision which puts the quality of education and an exceptional all-round experience for students at its core. St Albans School is more popular than ever and in the current climate, we are proud to be flourishing and over-subscribed with applications at each entry point. The Governing Body manages the finances carefully, but at the same time, we are mindful of the economic considerations for families, particularly in light of the imposition of VAT on school fees from January 2025, which we aim to respond practically and positively to.
Will going fully co-educational have any impact on school fees, scholarships or bursaries?
Our school fees will continue to be reviewed by the Governing Body on an annual basis. We will also continue to offer scholarships and bursaries to students according to our published criteria and will place enhanced focus on fundraising for these.
Will you be offering a sibling discount if my daughter joins the School?
Yes, we already offer a sibling discount of 5% which is applied to the eldest child, and this will continue as normal.
I am interested in enroling my daughter – who should I contact about this and when is the earliest they can join?
If you have a daughter in Year 5 or younger, you can register on the website for 11+ entry or 11+ deferred entry. The first entry to the School will be First Form (Year 7) in September 2026. Please refer to the website for assessment information or contact the Admissions Department. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2025.
How do I arrange a visit to the School following the announced changes?
Please register on the website for the next Open Morning on Saturday 26 April 2025. There will also be further Open Mornings in September and November later this year and booking for these will open in the summer term. Daytime tours are available to book if your child is currently in Years 5, 7 or 12. Please contact Admissions for more information.
Is there a separate admissions timeline for girls applying to join the School at 11+?
No, the same format currently adopted will apply and the School will continue to review its admissions process year after year.
How far in advance should we register for a place now that demand may increase with co-education?
Registrations need only to be received prior to the registration deadline.