Sir William Perkins's School welcomes Pioneer cohort as co-educational future begins

Today marks a landmark moment in the history of Sir William Perkins's School (SWPS) as the School welcomes its Pioneer cohort of boys and girls, becoming co-educational for the first time in more than a century. The arrival of students in Years 7 and 12 marks the start of a phased transition to full co-education by 2030.

The Pioneer cohort, named to reflect its role in shaping the next chapter of the School's 300-year history, is the first generation of students to join SWPS as part of its co-educational future.

Head Debbie Picton said: 'Today is an historic day for Sir William Perkins's School. We are delighted to welcome our Pioneer cohort and begin this exciting new chapter.

'These students will play a unique role in the life of the School. While our commitment to academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care and championing every individual remains unchanged, they join us at a time of innovation and growth.

'Today's young people need more than excellent examination results. They need confidence, adaptability, digital literacy and leadership skills. Everything we are doing at SWPS is focused on ensuring our students leave us not only academically successful, but ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.'

The move to co-education was announced in 2024 following growing demand from local families for ahigh-quality co-educational independent education. Boys are initially joining Years 7 and 12 before the School becomes fully co-educational in 2030.

The response from families has exceeded expectations. Boys make up more than a quarter of the new Year 7 intake, providing a strong foundation for future growth and demonstrating significant confidence in the School's co-educational vision.

The Pioneer cohort joins SWPS at a time of substantial investment in future-focused education. The school is committed to delivering a world ready programme as part of its ongoing strategic vision. This will provide students with access to expanded industry partnerships, entrepreneurship and sustainability projects, enhanced careers education, the development of a school-wide skills framework, and increased opportunities for students to engage with digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Today's milestone is particularly significant given the School's history. Founded in 1725 by merchant Sir William Perkins to educate local boys, girls were admitted just eleven years later. Following its later development as one of the country's first girls' grammar schools, SWPS is now returning to its co-educational roots while remaining focused on the needs of modern students and families.

Debbie Picton continued: 'This is a hugely important day for our School community. We have always sought to provide the very best education for young people and are delighted to extend that opportunity to even more families.

'The Pioneer cohort will always hold a special place in the history of SWPS, and we look forward to seeing the contribution they make to our community in the years ahead.'

As lessons begin and new friendships form, the Pioneer cohort takes its place in a story more than 300 years in the making. Guided by its vision to be a leading independent co-educational day school where every individual thrives, SWPS enters this new chapter with confidence, ambition and optimism.

September 2026