As we approach 2026 and prepare to celebrate 60 years of Princethorpe College, we also wish to mark another pivotal moment in the history of the College - the arrival of girls.

Girls were first admitted into the College Sixth Form in 1976, but it was in 1995 (as a result of increased demand) that all other year groups were opened up to girls for the first time.

Margaret-Louise O’Keeffe, who had joined the College as Deputy Head in 1994, took responsibility for overseeing the smooth transition to co-education. 35 girls joined Years 7-11 in September 1995, bringing the total number of girls at the College up to 50. A headline from a local newspaper article at the time announced that ‘Staff hope the arrival of girls will encourage boys to behave’!

During the first term, Mrs O’Keeffe noted in the College magazine that 'all new pupils seem to have settled in extremely happily and all current pupils (and staff!) seem to have adapted well to the demands and delights of co-education'. By the end of the school year the College was looking forward to welcoming a further 20 girls in the following September, and its co-educational status continued to go from strength to strength.

Were you one of the first cohort of girls to join the College, or one of the boys who welcomed girls into your year group for the first time? We would love to hear your memories – please do get in touch at archives@princethorpe.co.uk.

Images

1. Update on the first term of co-education, The Tribune September 1995 (archive ref. PC.27.3.1.31)

2. Reflections at the end of the College’s first co-educational year, The Tribune Summer 1996 (archive ref. PC.27.3.1.36)

3. Girls and boys sitting the entrance exam, The Tower February 1998 (archive ref. PC.27.3.1.44)