Our Governors and Headmaster are delighted to announce that Twickenham Prep School will become a fully co-educational school from September 2026 as we welcome girls into Year 7
We are delighted to announce an exciting and important development due to take place at TPS next year which will offer further choice for our families and mark a significant milestone in our school’s history.
From September 2026, as with the boys, our Year 6 girls will be able to stay at TPS through to Year 8, before moving on to the senior school of their choice. This marks a significant and positive step in the evolution of our school, ensuring that all our pupils—girls and boys alike—can benefit fully from the strength of our Senior Prep provision. Our decision is based on our fundamental commitment to co-education and equity in opportunity for all the children, alongside a process of parental engagement, revealing a growing demand for education for girls beyond Year 6.
For a generation, boys have benefitted from the additional academic challenge, breadth of learning and responsibility in Years 7 and 8 and circumstances now mean that the range of senior school choices for parents of girls are such that we can offer the same opportunities for them, neatly balancing our school to be fully co-educational for children from 4-13 years old. Over many years we’ve received consistent positive feedback from parents of boys about the significant benefits of the Year 7 and 8 experience, so we are delighted that girls will have the same opportunity. In doing so, this will give parents further choice which we feel is a key aspect of our independent offering, with TPS feeding through to approximately 30 different day independent and grammar schools in the area.
We believe that extending the girls’ journey through to Year 8 at TPS offers several clear advantages:
Continuity and Stability
Years 7 and 8 are a pivotal time socially, academically and emotionally. Remaining within our familiar, nurturing environment will allow the girls to grow in confidence and independence whilst taking on key leadership roles. They will avoid the potential disruption of an earlier school move and continue to work closely with our expert teachers in small classes with dedicated pastoral care.
Senior Prep Curriculum
Our outstanding teaching in Years 7 and 8, led by our Heads of Department, is designed to stretch and challenge, with specialist teaching in smaller class sizes, and a broad curriculum that supports high achievement and strong senior school readiness. Our girls and boys learn through the PSB framework (Pre-Senior Baccalaureate), which is an academically rich, skills-based programme, which seeks to ensure that the children have a depth of learning, the ability to problem solve and think creatively across their studies, working closely with their peers.
Further information about this innovative curriculum which aims to develop the values, skills, attitudes and behaviours required for children to succeed and flourish in an ever-changing world can be accessed here: The Pre-Senior Baccalaureate – A 21st Century Education
Our Senior Prep curriculum will be shaped to meet the needs of the girls that stay, considering carefully their learning in PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), including the teaching of RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) and the girls’ wellbeing. The breadth we offer will allow the girls every opportunity to study their chosen subjects from Year 9 onwards. We plan to adapt our sporting offering to ensure greater choice in both individual and team sports and this will benefit the boys too.
Leadership Opportunities
Girls who stay to Year 8 will have the chance to take on roles such as Prefect, Librarian, Charity Captain or House Captain, along with other positions of responsibility, thereby helping them to develop the character and skills valued by senior schools. We anticipate that the first groups of girls will have a strong say in shaping the offering and we have already started the process to work closely with those who will move into Year 7 next September.
Senior School Pathways
The local area in southwest London and into Surrey now offers an expanding variety of senior school routes at both Year 7 and Year 9. Many leading girls’ and co-educational schools increasingly welcome applications at these later stages, giving families more flexibility than ever before. Allowing girls to remain at TPS through Year 8 ensures they can take full advantage of these pathways, with our support and preparation tailored to each pupil’s individual ambitions—whether they move on at 11+ or 13+. Deferred entry pathways are open to a wide variety of schools, allowing testing in Year 6 with guaranteed places at Year 9, while others still offer an entrance assessment in Year 8. Our model will ensure parents have a wide variety of options, with strong emphasis placed on transition and readiness for senior school.
We believe this development strengthens our commitment to providing an exceptional, child-centered education from Reception to Year 8 and ensures that every pupil leaves us fully prepared for the next stage of their journey, with the opportunity to find the best school possible for future success.
Further details about the transition arrangements and opportunities for girls in Years 7 and 8 will be shared over the coming months. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Mr O Barrett
Headmaster
