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RESOLVED:
 
That Cabinet approve the proposal put
forward by the Governing Body of Our Lady’s Catholic
Girls’ School to change from a single sex girls’ school
to a co-educational (mixed) school, from September 2024. The
proposal is subject to formal approval from the Archbishop of the
RC Diocese of Westminster, Hackney Local Authority and the
Schools’ Adjudicator.
 
REASONS FOR DECISION
 
Summary from the Governing Body of Our
Lady’s Catholic Girls’ School
his proposal has been brought forward by the Governing Body
of Our Lady’s Catholic High School and endorsed in principle
by Hackney Education.
The Governing Body has been aware of the impact of changing
demographics on the school’s population over several years. A
new Headteacher (Mr English) has been
appointed and through his strong leadership, is seeking to
strengthen the school’s sustainability and ensure excellent
teaching and learning throughout the school.
 
Governors are aware that there is insufficient opportunity
for boys in the area to access quality Catholic education,
including the brothers of some of the existing students. In
addition, there are boys in the area who have to travel further
than they would like because there are limited numbers of
boys’ places in the area.
 
The school has a PAN (Published Admission Number) of 120
but is not currently filling those places. The number of
applications from girls has reduced to well below this level. The
school will have 54 vacancies in Year 7 this year. This pattern is
expected to continue. Admitting boys from the area would easily be
accommodated within the existing PAN without displacing girls. The
school will maintain the same PAN of 120.
 
Governors believe that transition to a co-educational
school will help maximise resources that support children’s
learning, will increase the school's popularity and that, with
careful planning, the transition should address concerns but move
forward smoothly, with no loss to the school’s values or
Catholic purpose and that the amalgamation will support the school
improvement journey, leading to higher outcomes for both boys and
girls.
 
The change would be implemented over time, with boys
joining the school in Year 7 as they move from primary education.
Sixth form provision at Our Lady’s High School is already
mixed gender provision.
 
School performance and
outcomes
Leaders have designed an ambitious, broad and balanced
curriculum. At GCSE, most pupils study the full range of English
Baccalaureate subjects. Pupils with special educational needs
and/or disabilities complete the same work as other
pupils. 
 
Overall effectiveness is good; the quality of education and
all other areas of the inspection framework are good. Outcomes at
GCSE in 2022 fell when compared with pre-pandemic levels,
particularly at strong pass. Students are currently making good
progress towards their targets in the core subjects. Progress
scores are positive in maths and English, and the data suggests
that this is likely to improve as students approach final
exams.
 
Outcomes at A level in 2022 improved overall but remain
below average. The percentage of students who achieved A*-B has
increased. BTEC results continue to be strong, equating to an ALPS
score of 3.
 
Impact and equalities
In considering the move from single sex education
governors’ recognised that some parents have concerns that
the gender being introduced will be at a disadvantage, and that
pupils already at the school will have to make un-necessary
adaptations. Governors and the staff will ensure this is not the
case at Our Lady’s Catholic High School.
 
A mixed school would also better prepare the school’s
young people to lead their adult lives in the mixed-gender world
they will encounter as adults. This promotes respect, modesty and
understanding between genders.
 
As children in primary schools are already taught in mixed
environments, it is unlikely that any individual child or
vulnerable group will face difficulties. However, some sports and
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education) sessions,
as well as changing facilities, will remain single sex.
Modification to changing facilities, is outlined further below
under ‘Property considerations’.
 
The Governing Body has considered equalities issues and
concluded that there would be no significant impact for any
particular group. They are mindful that some children with
additional needs or disabilities may need additional support to
understand the proposal and its implications.
 
Communication and Engagement
Informal Consultation
The decision to consult on the proposal to admit boys to
the school from September 2024 was agreed by governors on 24 March
2023. A consultation period commenced for 4 weeks starting on 26
April 2023 - 26 May 2023.
 
The responses to the informal consultation are summarised
below
· 
There is a positive
response to the proposals. Staff are strongly supportive. The
majority of parents, particularly those with boys, welcome the
change. Most pupils are supportive.
· 
Some parents have
concerns that they would prefer their daughters to attend
girls’ schools, but would like boys to attend mixed schools.
They recognised that there are a reducing number of single gender
schools. Some feel this is a good thing, others feel that it is
reducing parental choice.
· 
Parents are clear that
the school has been through a lot of change and expect this change
to be well managed and carefully monitored. They feel that the
leadership of the schools is stronger and that they can approach
the Headteacher and senior staff if
they have any concerns.
· 
Parents were concerned
that if the uniform should change this would be expensive for
families, the school have considered this carefully and will
provide financial support.
· 
By introducing the
change by only changing admissions from Year 7, governors have been
sensitive to the girls who have places they requested because the
school is single sex. No girl whose parent applied to a
girls’ only school will be expected to be in a mixed class.
New Year 7 children will be joining the school from mixed primary
classrooms.
· 
Although the
parents’ meetings, and some written responses show there are
some parental concerns about the impact of the changes, senior
staff and governors have responded to these and committed to
monitoring and responding if there are negative impacts, these are
not expected. Parents appear confident to raise their concerns and
committed to continuing to do so.
· 
Staff and unions have
not raised concerns, nor have linked stakeholders. The Westminster
Diocese have discussed, and are supportive of, the
proposal.
· 
Governors have taken
careful consideration of key concerns from parents, and equalities
impact considerations, and established a clear process for
monitoring the effectiveness of the transition to ensure there is
no negative impact from the change and to monitor that values,
vision and outcomes improve further to guarantee the best possible
Catholic Education for the community.
 
A summary of the informal consultation responses (Appendix
3), frequently asked questions (Appendix 4) and impact assessment
(Appendix 7) are included for information.
 
Statutory Notice (formal
consultation)
On the basis of the responses received during the
information consultation period, the Governing Body made the
decision to issue a statutory notice (Appendix 5) on 5 June 2023.
This notice period commenced on 9 June 2023 and ended on 7 July
2023. During this period no representations were
received.
 
Dialogue with interested parties continued but no new
issues arose, and those raised informally have either been
addressed (e.g. provision of probable impact data) or plans are in
place to ensure they can be addressed if the proposal is agreed
(e.g. provision of suitable toilet and changing room
facilities).
 
Nothing has arisen during the Statutory Notice Period that
significantly challenges the governors’ proposals.