Release date: 23 January 2025
Formal proposals to change Millais School in Horsham from a single sex girls’ school to a co-educational school have been published by West Sussex County Council.
The proposals would increase the number of available secondary school places for boys in the Horsham area and help support the school’s longer-term sustainability, following a decline in demand for places at Millais.
An initial public consultation was held between May and June 2024 and showed that a slight majority of respondents were in favour of Millais becoming a co-educational school.
The proposed change, if approved, would mean that Millais would admit boys and girls into Year 7 with effect from September 2026 and each year thereafter. There are no changes proposed to have co-educational provision for any of the existing year groups.
A report to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills, Cllr Jacquie Russell, also recommends the allocation of £1.5m capital funding for necessary refurbishment works to the school site, such as adapted changing and toilet facilities.
The council will be engaging with school staff and governors on the proposals, as well as other key stakeholders including neighbouring schools, the district council and the local Member of Parliament.
Members of the public also have until 27 February to make further representations on the statutory proposals by letter or email. It should be noted that these cannot be a repeat of the evidence already provided during the initial public consultation, but offers the opportunity to highlight new substantive information to the decision maker.
Visit https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/millais for more information about the proposals and how to submit representations.
