By Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan's Schools.
As Greek philosopher Heraclitus aptly stated, ‘There is nothing permanent except change’. I am sure this will ring true for many local business leaders, and this is something we are embracing at Dame Allan’s, particularly in the last few months.
As we enter a new academic year, and with recruitment well underway for next September’s cohort of pupils, we are preparing to go fully co-educational for the first time in our 300-year-history in September 2026. It is a notable change for us, but an exciting one.
Our separate Boys’ and Girls’ Schools were in place for 40 years and served us well, but we believe it is time to move forward with a dynamic approach that best reflects modern society. As one of the only independent schools in the region that educates boys and girls from ages 3 – 18, this means that our Senior School will join the structure of our already co-educational Junior School and Sixth Form.
Coping with change and developing resilience are hugely important skills that hold people in good stead during their adult years, through personal and career pivots, and the general ups-anddowns of life. We believe this resilience is something that can be nurtured from a young age, as part of our well-rounded approach to education. It is inevitable that pupils’ school lives will change each year as they adapt to new teachers, new subjects, or even just new uniforms (something we see a lot in our Year One boys and girls, as they get used to wearing their more formal blazers!). Learning to manage and even thrive with changing circumstances is important.
We do very much understand that change can be challenging for some young people, so our pupils are supported throughout their time with us by our exceptional teaching staff and pastoral support team. They always have someone to talk to if they do need a helping hand. We offer dedicated wellbeing spaces, expert counsellors, and even the services of our beloved school therapy dogs, Heidi and Poppy!
We have also been sure to include our pupils in the transition phase of our change to coeducation, and our School Council has come up with some wonderful ideas to help our boys and girls integrate.
Within a school, and in fact, I would venture in any business, change cannot be avoided. Every year we welcome a new cohort of fresh-faced pupils through our doors, as well as bid a fond farewell to those leaving our Sixth Form for university, degree apprenticeships, or as they go off to explore the world. It is something to be embraced, and we like to think of moments of change as a valuable period of reflection – how can we move forward whilst bringing along the very best of Dame Allan’s with us?
It is true that academic outcomes remain a central measure of our work; the schools are coming back to the new academic year fresh off the back of a very successful summer, which saw the best A Level results for more than 20 years, and a quarter of GCSE exams achieving Grade 9. But the wider impact of a Dame Allan’s education lies in how we shape character, values, curiosity, and the habits of mind that endure long after the final exam.
Change will always come, but I believe it is how we handle it, and embrace it, that matters in the end.
For more information or to arrange a visit to Dame Allan’s Schools, please contact the Head of Admissions on 0191 275 0608 or visit www.dameallans.co.uk