Sixth Form Boys at Beechwood

THE arrival of three boys into the previously all-girls Sixth Form at former convent school Beechwood Sacred Heart has been welcomed by staff and pupils.
The trio, who are outnumbered 16 to one, have been admitted ahead of schedule. The school, in Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, will become fully co-ed by 2011 but, with boys so far only in the first three years, Headmaster Nicholas Beesley explained: I had intended to open up the Sixth Form to boys next year, but three families asked if we would allow their sons to join us for A-levels this year, so I decided to make an exception for them. I knew the demand was there, but I hadn"t expected it to take off so soon.
Joseph, 16, admitted: It was a bit scary, but I am doing Maths, Physics, Chemistry and ICT A-levels, and my old school wasn"t able to offer that combination.
For 16-year-old Tom, newly-arrived with his younger brother and older sister from school in France, the English way of giving Sixth Formers more freedom is much better, because it motivates you to work. I really like it and the girls have been very welcoming.
Head of Sixth Form Michael Awdry said: I think the boys are quite brave, but they have settled in very quickly, and they bring a welcome new dynamic to our A-level classes.
Classmates Nina and Patricia were also enthusiastic about the new-look co-ed Sixth Form.
Boys and girls will work and study together when they leave school, so it's good to interact in a school environment first, said Nina.
16-year-old Patricia, from Germany, agreed. She said: This is not new for me, because we study with boys at home, so I think it is normal.