REFLECTIONS SIR NIGEL SHERLOCK

REFLECTIONS

BY NIGEL SHERLOCK CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS (00-05)

Looking back I am immensely proud of the decision which we took to introduce girls into the school. It was a brave decision at the time, and came after much preparatory work.

Over its long history the school had developed a most enviable academic reputation, guided by talented and committed headmasters, appointed by successive governing bodies who wished to keep the school in the forefront of education.

When I became a governor in 1998, a very low key discussion had already begun about the possible merits of coeducation, reflecting the ongoing changes in society. It was to become a challenging debate because of the school’s preeminence, and the wish not to jeopardise its reputation.

My predecessor, John Fenwick, as a governor of a well-known girls’ day school in the south of England, was aware of developments in this area of education. His knowledge and experience was no doubt taken into account when he and the then Governing Body appointed as Headmaster James Miller, who had previously been headmaster of a co-educational school in East Anglia.

The Governors’ continuing aim was to ensure that the school’s academic, cultural and sporting reputation was maintained, indeed enhanced, and also that the school kept abreast of developments in the wider educational world. Shortly after his appointment James Miller, on his own initiative, produced a paper for the Chairman giving the pros and cons of introducing girls into the school. Subsequently, informal discussions were begun amongst a small When I became a governor in 1998, a very low key discussion had already begun about the possible merits of co-education, reflecting the ongoing changes in society.”

group at the highest level. Being such a sensitive issue, the work progressed slowly and with discretion, so as not to raise emotions before the basic facts could be ascertained on which a prima facie case might possibly be based.

The findings in favour of co-education were then put before the full Governing Body which gave its unanimous approval, and work then began in earnest. The next step was to agree to the setting up of working groups from amongst the senior teaching and administrative staff to explore the requirements in more detail with a view to possible implementation, and to consult the stakeholders, particularly our staff and parents, to ascertain their views. In the event it transpired that there was considerable support for such a development, with well argued, vociferous, but minority dissent. All this involved a huge amount of time, thought and effort.

Together with the Headmaster, we consulted Old Novos and parents. The principal concern of some Old Novos was that the introduction of girls might adversely affect the school’s academic record and sporting achievements. This appears not to have been borne out.

When talking to parents, the point was made that having selected the school particularly because of its single-sex status, they would feel betrayed. Indeed one father stated that he would withdraw his son from the school. However in the event, he changed his mind and indeed later as a result of his son’s favourable experience, he sent his daughter to the school!

I consider that the introduction of girls into the school has been one of the most far-reaching decisions in the school’s history and has played a part in further enhancing the school’s all round reputation, as well as better preparing our young people for the wider world. I believe that the culture has changed in a positive way but the essential ethos remains.