Join us at our next College Open Morning on Saturday 30 January 2027 or at our next Prep Open Morning on Saturday 6 February 2027.
Olivia Upchurch is Deputy Head (Academic) at Brighton College and has 15 years’ experience in the independent sector working in academic leadership roles. Prior to her current post, she was Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College when the Sixth Form was voted the Best Sixth Form in Britain. With a degree in Classics from the University of Oxford, Olivia also holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Cambridge.
Co-educational schools educate boys and girls together in the same learning environment. For many families, one of the main attractions of co-education is that it reflects the diverse and collaborative world pupils will experience beyond school.
What children experience during their school years helps shape what they see as normal. Learning, socialising and taking part in activities together can help pupils become comfortable working with a wide range of people from an early age.
Preparing pupils for life beyond school
One of the key benefits of co-education is the opportunity for pupils to learn how to communicate and collaborate confidently with people of different perspectives and backgrounds from an early age.
This can help develop:
- Communication skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Mutual respect
- Confidence in group settings
- Collaborative problem-solving
These skills are valuable not only at school, but also at university, in the workplace and throughout adult life.
A balanced social and learning environment
Many families value the breadth of perspectives that a co-educational environment can provide.
Learning alongside boys and girls gives pupils regular opportunities to encounter different ideas, personalities and approaches to problem-solving. At its best, co-education encourages pupils to see one another as individuals and equals, rather than through assumptions or stereotypes.
Encouraging pupils to pursue their interests
A strong co-educational school should encourage pupils to participate fully across all areas of school life.
Whether in sport, music, science, drama, debating or leadership, pupils should feel able to pursue the activities that genuinely interest them.
This can help broaden aspirations and encourage children to make choices based on enthusiasm and ability rather than expectations about what they should enjoy or be good at.
At Brighton College, boys and girls learn, participate and take on leadership roles alongside one another across academic and co-curricular life, helping pupils develop their individual interests within a shared school community.
Developing confidence and empathy
School is where children learn many of the social skills they will carry into adulthood.
Regular interaction within a co-educational community can help pupils develop empathy, maturity and confidence in communicating with others. It can also reinforce the importance of kindness, respect and understanding different points of view.
Preparing for university and the workplace
Universities, workplaces and wider society are collaborative environments in which people of different backgrounds, personalities and perspectives work alongside one another.
Co-education gives pupils the opportunity to develop these habits naturally throughout their school years, helping them become comfortable contributing ideas, listening to others and building positive relationships.
Families considering co-educational schooling can find out more about life at Brighton College and how our pupils learn and develop together.
Is a co-educational school right for your child?
Ultimately, the quality and culture of the individual school matter more than any single characteristic. For families who value a learning environment that reflects the wider world, however, co-education can offer important academic, social and personal benefits.
The best way to understand whether a co-educational environment will suit your child is to experience it for yourself. You can visit Brighton College or contact our Admissions team to learn more about our co-educational approach and school community.
Olivia Upchurch is Deputy Head (Academic) at Brighton College and has 15 years’ experience in the independent sector working in academic leadership roles. Prior to her current post, she was Head of Sixth Form at Brighton College when the Sixth Form was voted the Best Sixth Form in Britain. With a degree in Classics from the University of Oxford, Olivia also holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Cambridge.