Clayfied College insiders reveal why school will transition to coeducational learning

Insiders have revealed the reasons why prestigious Brisbane all-girls school Clayfield College has decided to welcome boys.

A prestigious Brisbane school’s decision to ditch its all-girls model and welcome boys has come as no surprise to private school insiders, after enrolments plunged almost 50 per cent in just eight years.

Once one of the city’s most in-demand schools, Clayfield College has seen student numbers dwindle from about 880 in 2013, to about 450 this year.

Dwindling student numbers are behind Clayfield College’s transition to coeducational learning.

With fees of about $19,000 per year, the 400 student shortfall is the equivalent of more than $7 million in annual revenue.

Sources close to the school have told The Courier-Mail that new principal Dr Andrew Cousins was tasked with turning around the school’s fortunes when he was appointed in late 2019.

Dr Cousins, who arrived with an impressive record having served in leadership positions at Perth’s Presbyterian Ladies’ College and Somerset College on the Gold Coast, took over from previous principal Kathy Bishop.

He told The Courier-Mail that falling enrolments was “certainly a factor” in the school’s decision to transition from an all girls’ offering in year 7 to 12, to a coeducational school.

“Parents have not been enrolling at the same rate as a decade ago,” Dr Cousins said.

“From the school’s research it has become clear that prospective parents do not value our mix of educational formats – coeducational through to year 6, then changing to girls-only in senior school – as they once did.”

Clayfield College is one of four schools governed by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, along with Brisbane Boys’ College, Somerville House, and Sunshine Coast Grammar School.

The PMSA has been rocked by multiple scandals in recent years, including allegations of interference and several high-profile exits of senior school principals and leaders.

Dr Andrew Cousins poses was appointed as the new Clayfield College principal in late 2019. Pic: AAP Image/Claudia Baxter

One insider told The Courier-Mail it was clear “something had to change", with competition fierce among the elite all-girls school sector.

“A lot of people who would have considered the College are now looking to send their girls to St Margaret’s (Anglican Girls School) or St Rita’s (College),” they said.

“The school had to do something big to keep going.”

But Dr Cousins said he believed the bold move by the school would increase enrolments.

“When the transition is complete in 2027, we hope there will be a stream of year 7 to year 12 boys with about 50 in each year group, so an additional 250 boys,” he said.

“For some years and across multiple surveys and feedback forums, parents have asked the College to become fully coeducational because it would better suit their family.

“They love Clayfield, their sons love Clayfield, and they would prefer their sons complete their secondary education at Clayfield.

“There are some parents who would like to preserve the all-girls secondary school for their daughter, and the schedule of change honours the wishes and intent of those parents.”

The school would begin immediately accepting enrolments for boys to commence Year 7 in 2023.

Dylan Aziz, Oliver Blake and Hugo Heinenmann, all 6, with Maggie Wade, 7, at Clayfield College. Picture: Josh Woning

Dr Cousins said the implementation of a “parallel learning model” – where single-sex learning would be offered from years 7 to 9, with select coeducation classes in year 10 before complete coeducation classes in year 11 and 12 – would set the school apart.

He said this was “unlike any other school offering in Brisbane”, and that serious consideration about implementing the model began early this year.

“It was then followed by feasibility, stakeholder feedback, and resource planning that led to the announcement to the College community (on Monday),” he said.

“We are constantly looking at ways to improve the value the College provides to families.

“I believe this should be a never-ending quest for any school.”

The College celebrated its 90th birthday earlier this year and boasts an impressive list of alumni, including Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice and musician Mallrat.