Cothill School, an independent day and boarding prep school in Oxfordshire, for pupils aged 7 to 13, has announced plans to become co-educational from September 2025, enabling more families to benefit from the school’s excellent academic offering boys have enjoyed for over 150 years.
The school, set on wonderful grounds just a short drive from Oxford, will implement the change gradually over two years, with the admission of girls initially focused on Years 3 to 5. As these year groups move up, the school will become fully co-educational. All year groups, from age 7 to 13, are expected to have both boys and girls by September 2027.
Girls can join Cothill as day pupils in Year 3 and may well choose to stay as day pupils in Years 4 and 5 or, alternatively, progress to be a Flexi- or full-boarder in Years 4 and 5. A girls’ boarding facility is planned to open in September 2025, enabling boys and girls to board at Cothill if they so wish.
The arrival of George May as Head in September last year has led to a review of how Cothill can best build upon its existing strengths whilst meeting the needs of families locally, nationally and internationally. Cothill intends to become a top-class co-educational day and boarding prep school.
George May said: “This announcement signals an important new chapter in the school’s history. From September 2025 all pupils will benefit from the academic, social and developmental benefits of a co-educational environment.
“With an ever-growing number of our pupils choosing to progress to co-educational senior schools, the move will help to ensure our pupils are more broadly prepared for their lives beyond Cothill. We very much look forward to welcoming the first girls through Cothill’s doors in September next year.”
Families interested in places for their children should contact Mrs Maria Blick, Head of Admissions and Marketing, via email at admissions@cothillpst.org to arrange an individual tour of the school and a meeting with the Head.
