1970s & Co-education
Mr Christopher Turner, Headmaster, 1967-1979
In 1967, Mr Graham announced he was leaving to take up a post in America. If Gilkes' era had been a time of recovery and Graham's a time of expansion, then for the next Headmaster, Christopher Turner, it was a time of change. For at that time, the whole outlook of society was surrounded by change, doubt and experiment.
Mr Turner was to see the completion of one of the biggest innovations since Dean Close was founded, co-education. Pamela Rowles was the first girl, entering the School in 1967 under Christopher Turner. She wanted some English A level coaching and was allowed to come to Dean Close. In 1969, the School had eight girls, all day or lodging with a member of staff, under the care of Mrs Valerie Wilson in the newly created House, Mead. By the end of 1971 there were 25 day girls, still confined only to the VIth form.
In 1972, there was a further step forward when girls were taken into the IVth form, entering at the same time as the new boys. A boarding house, Fawley Lodge, was opened for boarding girls and, by 1975 with rapidly increasing numbers, Shelburne Hall was also given over to a girls' boarding house, under Mrs Sue Padfield. The girls had to have slightly different quarters in the School and in some ways the boys were jealous of the rather more 'posh' rooms in the girls' house.
Girls' places were limited and in the process of selection, higher academic qualifications were needed for entry and a measurement of entry was added. In Drama and Music the girls provided many talented actresses and musicians.