Plans for an all-girls school to admit boys for the first time next year moved a step closer this week as formal plans were published.
Approval to publish the proposals for Millais School was given by West Sussex County Council cabinet member Jacquie Russell yesterday.
If all goes as planned, boys will be admitted to the school, in Depot Road, from September 2026.
Demand for places at Millais has dropped and it has not filled all its pupil places for four years. As of August, there were only 1,052 students in a school which can hold 1,593.
A consultation was held last May and June which saw 2,141 people complete an online survey – 1,132 (53%) supported the proposals and 966 (45%) objected to them.
But governors and school leaders have objected to the plans.
A letter from the governors set out reasons for Millais to remain girls-only. Laying out the success and quality of education at the school over the past 80 years, the letter added: “Our fundamental objection to the proposal is that it removes the important choice of a girls-only education from families in the Horsham area and beyond.
“This loss of opportunity is significant and will be to the detriment not only of the current students but also future generations of girls and women.”
But a report from Claire Hayes, assistant director for education and skills, said: “As the demand for secondary places rises, and as there are more places in Horsham available for girls than boys, more boys are likely to be displaced with some boys having to be sent to schools in other districts and boroughs.”
The publication of the formal notice will run through January and February and will give people another chance to have their say by letter or email.
Adaptations to the school, such as toilets and changing rooms for boys, will cost an estimated £1.5m.
Mrs Russell approved the use of capital money from the basic need budget, should the proposals go ahead.
