The case for mixed education: We don’t separate men and women in adult life, so why do it in school?

News that St Joseph of Cluny in Killiney plans to enrol boys from next year is most welcome, as a new study reveals there is no academic advantage to attending single-sex school for boys or girls

Lauren Hardiman, Lucy Campbell and Rose Adam of St Joseph Of Cluny Secondary School. Photo: Fran Veale/Julien Behal Photography

Tanya Sweeney

In what one must suspect is heartening news for its 250-odd female pupils, St Joseph of Cluny in Killiney announced plans to enrol boys from September 2025. Subject to the Department of Education’s approval, and after consultation with local primary schools, parents and the school’s board, the fee-paying South County Dublin school will no longer be single-sex, and is planning to admit male students on a phased basis.

“We are responding to societal needs in terms of inclusion and diversity as well as adding to the numbers of places available, which has been an issue in the area in recent years,” the school’s principal Ben Healy is quoted as saying after this week’s announcement.