Millais School, a highly sought after girls’ school in West Sussex, made an unusual but controversial move recently to change its admissions policy. In 2026, the school will begin taking boys in their year seven cohort. This decision represents a major turning point for Horsham’s only remaining single-sex secondary school. This decision comes on the heels of a drop in the demand for seats at the school. Furthermore, there is a major localised lack of school places offered to boys.
Beginning with the 2026 intake, the school will move to a coeducational model for students in year seven. For now, the establishment of two current year groups remains girls-only. The policy shift comes after a years-long advocacy battle with West Sussex County Council, the original introducers of the concept. Cold feet While having once truly opposed the proposal up in a Might 2024 plan, Millais School has actually calmed down to the new course.
Millais School had previously lambasted the council’s consultation process, claiming it came to the table with “a preferred outcome already in mind.” The school’s original board of governors had been worried about the local authority’s survey’s bias. Despite the strong specific objections, West Sussex County Council pressed on with the decision. Second, they noted that they had considered the school responses to consultation from Millais School.
The school’s board is still tight-lipped over the contentious decision, refusing to speak further on the issue. A release from the school celebrated their commitment to keeping educational options diverse in the region.
"We believe passionately that there is crucial space in Horsham for both coeducational and single-sex options to co-exist," stated Millais School.
The ruling packs a personal punch to the local education establishment as well. Jacquie Russell, whose relative is a pupil at Millais School, announced a pecuniary interest in the deliberations.
In May 2024, Millais School released a policy paper calling on the County Council to scrap its plans to admit boys. In light of this opposition, during their consultation period, the County Council considered the responses from Millais School.
