Council leader says girls' school will admit boys

Millais School in Horsham will accept boys from September 2026

A girls' school in West Sussex is to accept boys for the first time from September next year.

The decision to make Millais School in Horsham co-educational has been made by Paul Marshall, leader of West Sussex County Council.

The authority first mooted the move in 2024 but abandoned its proposal earlier this year after concerns that information linked to the consultation behind it was "incorrect and misleading".

The school's board had also opposed the reforms, but Marshall has now said he "strongly believes it's the right decision".

It comes after the latest full consultation was held between 19 June and 18 July, which considered all representations and those to an earlier, informal consultation.

Marshall said the change would address the issue of falling pupil numbers at the school, relieve pressure for additional secondary school places across Horsham and tackle the inequality of choice available for boys and girls in the town.

He described Millais School as "very good" but "undersubscribed for the past four years" and that letting in boys would make it "more sustainable".

Year 7 boys will join the school from 2026, while current year groups will continue as girls-only.

The county council said it would work closely with school staff to ensure the move to become co-educational was "as seamless as possible".

Millais School first expressed its determination to remain a single-sex school in 2024, when it published a policy paper that claimed there were "huge social and emotional benefits" for pupils at girls' schools.

It added the council's proposals represented a "very major change" to the school's ethos.

In March, the school also accused the local authority of conducting its consultations "with a preferred outcome already in mind".

Millais School has been approached for comment.