History has been made at Old Swinford Hospital after it received approval for girls to be admitted to the School for their entire secondary education.

The Stourbridge school was founded to educate boys over 350 years ago by local industrialist Thomas Foley and, following a consultation period, Dudley Local Authority have now given the final seal of approval to admit girls.

Whilst some girls currently attend OSH through Sixth Form day places only, from September 2021 girls from Year 7 will be able to attend as full, weekly and flexi-boarders, as well as day pupils. Headmaster Paul Kilbride said:

“I am immensely proud and excited that our school will be able to offer to girls from near and far the same aspiration and opportunity that our boys currently enjoy.

"We know that we can make a difference to so many lives, not just through educational progress and achievement, but also through a full extra-curricular programme and a unique community based around the boarding environment.”

The ground-breaking news comes as the Foundation of Thomas Foley, which is the charity that supports OSH, also concluded a deal to purchase the former Stourbridge College site on Hagley Road from previous owners BMet. The site, which was originally owned by the Foundation and sold off in the 1950’s, will enable the natural expansion of facilities as the school grows. Malcolm Wilcox, Chair of Governors and Feoffees, added:

“The new facilities will benefit all members of the School community as they are opened. The space gained through the purchase of the site means that all pupils will be well placed to capitalise on the academic, sporting and extra-curricular opportunities that the future holds.

"For all who attend OSH, and we are thrilled to be taking the school forward in such a positive direction.”

Mr Kilbride has recorded his own personal tour of the School, as a substitute for their traditional May open day, where he will share plans for 2021 admissions, give you an insight into what makes OSH so distinctive and why their boarding is rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED.

The tour can be seen at oshsch.com and any enquiries can be made to the Registrar, by email to admissions@oshsch.com or by phone on 01384 817325.

Registration for 2021 is now open and the school's next open day on Saturday 19 September remains on the calendar.