London


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-13T162837.806-1024x683.jpg" alt="St James School, Kensington is going co-ed" class="wp-image-19601" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-13T162837.806-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-13T162837.806-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-13T162837.806-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-13T162837.806.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>In recent years, senior schools across the UK have been taking a fresh look at the single-sex model. For some, it’s about reflecting modern family life. For others, it’s about preparing pupils for the collaborative workplaces they will one day enter. Increasingly, it’s about giving boys and girls the chance to learn and grow alongside one another — academically, socially and emotionally.</p>



<p>One such school is&nbsp;St James, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Known for its distinctive ethos, it pairs strong academic ambition with a thoughtful focus on inner development. At the heart of school life is the daily “Pause” — short moments of stillness built into the timetable where pupils stop, breathe and reset before moving on. Add philosophy, Sanskrit, a whole-school vegetarian approach and a holistic outlook that values character as much as results, and you begin to see what makes St James rather unique.</p>



<p>From September 2027, both senior schools &#8211; the <a href="https://www.stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorboys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senior Boys&#8217; School</a> in Ashford, Surrey and the <a href="https://www.stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorgirls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senior Girls&#8217; School</a> in Kensington &#8211; will begin a phased move to co-education, starting with Year 7 and Year 12. We spoke to Heads Rick Clarke and Helen de Mattos about why now feels like the right moment &#8211; and what this new chapter means for families.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-prompted-the-decision-to-become-co-educational-now"><strong>What prompted the decision to become co-educational now?</strong></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px.jpg" alt="The St James senior schools are going co-ed" class="wp-image-19082" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>For some time, parents have been asking about co-education — particularly at Sixth Form, where some pupils were choosing to move elsewhere specifically to experience a mixed environment before university. Increasingly, families see co-ed as a more natural setting, one that simply reflects the world beyond school.</p>



<p>There is also a broader societal shift at play. Boys and girls will go on to work together, collaborate, lead teams and navigate complex social environments. Learning how to do that confidently and respectfully during their formative years feels both practical and forward-looking.</p>



<p>Importantly, St James was never defined solely by being single-sex. From the outset, it was built around a particular philosophy — mindful, values-led and holistic. That foundation remains firmly in place. The structure may be evolving, but the ethos remains exactly the same.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-parents-respond-when-consulted">How did parents respond when consulted? </h3>



<p>While there was some initial anxiety — particularly from parents who had very deliberately chosen a single-sex environment — the overall response was overwhelmingly positive.</p>



<p>What quickly became clear is that families choose St James first and foremost for its ethos. The school’s commitment to mindfulness, strong pastoral care, philosophy and a genuinely holistic approach to education consistently matters more than whether it is single-sex.</p>



<p>In many ways, the conversations simply reinforced what families value most about the school — its culture, its community and the distinctive approach that has shaped St James for the past 50 years.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-this-reflect-the-need-of-modern-families">How does this reflect the need of modern families? </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-2.jpg" alt="St James is going co-ed" class="wp-image-19103" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Modern families are increasingly looking for coherence and realism in education. For those with children of different genders, having one senior school community can make practical sense. But beyond logistics, there is a broader aspiration: parents want their children to feel ready — socially, emotionally and intellectually — for the world they are stepping into.</p>



<p>A co-educational environment offers daily practice in communication and collaboration. Pupils learn to listen to one another, to work alongside different personalities and to see different approaches to study and problem-solving. It can also help move conversations beyond outdated assumptions about who excels in which subjects.</p>



<p>Ultimately, it isn’t about following a trend. It’s about ensuring young people leave school equipped for real life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-will-the-arrival-of-girls-and-boys-shape-day-to-day-life">How will the arrival of girls &#8211; and boys &#8211; shape day-to-day life? </h3>



<p>Fundamentally, much of daily life will feel reassuringly familiar. St James remains deliberately small. Teachers know every pupil well. Pastoral care is proactive rather than reactive, and the Pause — those structured moments of stillness built into the school day — continues to sit at the heart of the school.</p>



<p>What will evolve is the dynamic. Mixed classrooms bring different energies and working styles. There is a strong sense that boys and girls can learn a great deal from one another: some pupils bring early organisation and academic focus; others bring perspective and a more relaxed approach. Together, that balance can lift expectations while easing unnecessary pressure.</p>



<p>The transition itself is being carefully managed. Facilities are being adapted where needed — from changing areas to Sixth Form spaces — and staff across both senior schools are already working closely together, sharing expertise and reviewing curriculum and pastoral systems to ensure everything feels thoughtful and ready.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-school-is-known-for-its-mindfulness-and-pastoral-care-how-will-that-underpin-the-transition">The school is known for its mindfulness and pastoral care. How will that underpin the transition? </h3>



<p>If anything, these elements become even more central. The Pause is not an add-on; it is woven into the fabric of the school day. The principle is straightforward: young people cannot learn well if they are cognitively overloaded. Giving them practical tools to regulate stress and centre their attention is part of the academic strategy, not separate from it.</p>



<p>Pastoral care remains deeply personal. Because the school is deliberately small, pupils are known as individuals. Concerns are spotted early, conversations happen quickly and support can be tailored to the child in front of you.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-academic-benefits-of-moving-to-co-ed-at-senior-level">What are the academic benefits of moving to co-ed at senior level? </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-3.jpg" alt="Pupils at St James where they are moving to co-ed" class="wp-image-19098" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The move has prompted a thoughtful review of curriculum and opportunity across the senior schools. Subject pathways are being examined to ensure real breadth and accessibility for all pupils — from sciences and mathematics to design, technology and the arts — with a clear intention to move beyond outdated gender stereotypes. The aim is to create an environment where every student feels confident pursuing their strengths and interests without limitation.</p>



<p>Academic ambition remains high. The goal is for pupils to leave not only with strong results, but with genuine intellectual curiosity and a quiet confidence in their own abilities.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-new-opportunities-might-this-open-up-in-sixth-form">What new opportunities might this open up in Sixth Form? </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-4.jpg" alt="St James Kensington is going co-ed" class="wp-image-19100" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-4-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Sixth Form is perhaps where the shift feels most significant. Many families actively seek a co-ed environment at this stage, seeing it as a natural preparation for university and beyond. A mixed Sixth Form can foster greater maturity, broader friendships and social dynamics that more closely reflect life after school.</p>



<p>Both sites are investing in redesigned Sixth Form spaces — professional, light-filled environments designed to support independent study as well as collaboration. The aim is simple: that pupils leave feeling genuinely ready for their next step, whether that’s university, an apprenticeship or the workplace.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-co-education-better-prepare-pupils-for-the-workplace">How does co-education better prepare pupils for the workplace?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1.jpg" alt="St James Senior School are going co-ed" class="wp-image-19092" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1.jpg 1688w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Untitled-1000-x-700-px-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px" /></figure>



<p>The workplace young people are heading into will demand far more than strong grades. Communication, critical thinking, adaptability and creativity will all matter deeply</p>



<p>There is a clear belief that these skills need to be practised daily — articulating ideas with confidence, listening properly, debating respectfully and learning how to work alongside different personalities. A co-educational environment provides that lived experience, long before pupils leave school.</p>



<p>The aim is not only to produce excellent exam results, but to develop balanced, articulate and self-assured young adults who feel ready to navigate a rapidly changing world.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-will-stay-reassuringly-the-same">What will stay reassuringly the same? </h3>



<p>At its core, the heart of St James remains unchanged. The values-led education. The commitment to philosophy and reflection. The emphasis on sport, outdoor education, music, drama and trips. The calm, purposeful atmosphere. Above all, the sense that every pupil is known and valued.</p>



<p>Growth will be measured and thoughtful. The school is not seeking to become large or impersonal; its strength lies in remaining small enough to care deeply, while ambitious enough to stretch and challenge every pupil.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-would-you-say-to-parents-weighing-up-single-sex-versus-co-ed-education">What would you say to parents weighing up single-sex versus co-ed education? </h3>



<p>Ultimately, it comes down to the individual child. Some young people may thrive in a single-sex setting at certain stages of their development. Others benefit from the balance and realism of a co-educational environment. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Our advice is to look beyond the label and focus instead on ethos, culture and values. If those feel right for your family — if the school’s approach resonates — then the structure becomes part of a much bigger picture rather than the deciding factor.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-this-an-exciting-opportunity-for-those-joining-at-the-start-of-the-transition">Why is this an exciting opportunity for those joining at the start of the transition? </h3>



<p>Because they will help shape the next chapter. They will join a community that is calm, thoughtful and firmly rooted in strong values — but also confident, evolving and ambitious for its pupils. There is something special about being part of a school at a moment of purposeful change: benefiting from the stability of an established ethos while helping to shape what comes next. In many ways, it’s a simple equation — the same St James foundation, now preparing pupils even more deliberately for the world they are about to step into.</p>



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<ul>
<li>C<em>urious to find out more? See <a href="https://www.stjamesschools.co.uk/seniorboys/proposed-co-education/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more information.</em></li>
</ul>


Real world ready: why more schools are going co-ed – and what it means for St James

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