Elizabeth College to welcome girls
Elizabeth College will start accepting both girls and boys for the first time in its 450 year history.
The traditionally all boys college will start welcoming girls to years seven and 12 in September 2021. They hope that the school will be entirely mixed by 2025.
The existing junior school accepts both girls and boys between the ages of two and seven. Pupils then move onwards to prepare for the upper school or local girls school. Currently girls can not study at Elizabeth College past the age of 11, the move to become fully co-educational will change this.
The college was founded in 1563 by Queen Elizabeth I.
The building has witnessed various historical events in its 450 year history from Royal visits right through to the official liberation announcement being made from the steps of the school in 1945.
Elizabeth College argue the decision to become co-educational is not financially motivated and rather it is about the 'educational experience'.
Marina Jenkins Reports...