Release date: 18 August 2025
Millais School will accept both boys and girls from September 2026, following a decision made by the Leader of West Sussex County Council.
Councillor Paul Marshall said making Millais School co-educational will address the issue of falling pupil numbers at the school and help relieve some of the pressure for additional secondary school places across Horsham, as well as removing the inequality of choice available for boys and girls in the town.
Cllr Marshall said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views on the proposal to make Millais a school for girls and boys. I considered with great interest all of the responses we received, including those opposed to the change as well as those in favour. I was particularly keen to see and consider the views of the school’s leadership and of pupils at the school, as well as those of parents and young people across the area.
“I strongly believe that making Millais co-educational is the right decision. Not only will it provide much needed secondary school places for pupils in the Horsham area, but it will make Millais School, which is a very good school but one that has been undersubscribed for the past four years, more sustainable.
“This decision demonstrates our commitment to providing children with school places close to their local area where possible, and to giving all children and young people the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I look forward to seeing girls and boys thrive for many years to come at Millais School.”
The first intake of Year 7 girls and boys at the school is due in September 2026. Existing year groups of girls will continue to receive their education at the school until they leave at the age of 16.
A full consultation on proposals, for the school to accept boys and girls in Year 7 from September 2026 and each year thereafter, was held from 19 June until 18 July.
All responses and representations to this consultation and the earlier informal consultation were taken into consideration.
The county council will now work closely with school staff to ensure the move to become co-educational is as seamless as possible.
The full decision, along with a summary of the statutory consultation responses, is available on the council’s website. It is subject to the council’s seven-day call-in period.
