A Hertfordshire day and boarding school has greeted boys on its campus for the first time in more than 200 years.
The new year has also seen St Margaret’s School welcome a new head teacher, Lara Péchard, as it embarks on a staggered transition towards coeducation across all year groups.
“This is a wonderful time for St Margaret’s and there is a real buzz of excitement amongst the pupils and staff,” said Péchard.
“The boys seem very at home and it feels very natural having them around both in the classroom and in the playground.”
St Margaret’s was founded as a coeducational institution in 1749, before becoming a girls’ school in the early 19th century.
It was last year that governors decided to revert to coed status, citing the school’s roots and “contemporary views linked to the future benefits of educating boys and girls together”.
From the archive: St Margaret’s School announces appointment of Lara Péchard
