TAS could welcome girls up to Year 12 from next year, for the first time in its 121-year history.
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If the plan goes ahead, it would be the only independent school in Armidale offering co-educational day and boarding at the secondary level.
Staff and families were told of the plan on Friday.
There now follows a two-month consultation period involving parents, staff, former students, benefactors and the Anglican diocese of Armidale.
“The time is right for TAS to consider [full co-education], following more than two years of analysis, research and external review,” Headmaster Murray Guest said.
“The board and the school are fully aware of the importance of this historic change.”
The move is tipped to impact enrolments at the New England Girls’ School and PLC Armidale. Their principals were told of the plan on Friday. Currently, girls are enrolled at TAS up to Year 5.
The school has an arrangement with PLC and NEGS to combine the offering of some HSC subjects. For the past four years about 50 girls each year have been taught at TAS.
This year 215 boys will board at The Armidale School, from Year 6 to Year 12.
Mr Guest said the school’s infrastructure would need to change to accommodate girl boarders.
Enrolments was not the issue, according to Mr Guest.
“Our boarding numbers are the highest since 1997, and our secondary enrolments of 414 are at a level not seen since 1994,” he said.
“This decision is all about growing the school and securing its future, and opening the opportunities of a TAS education to those girls who would wish to benefit from it.”
TAS Parents and Friends Association president Sue Cartwright said it was an “exciting big step”.
Mr Guest last night met with representatives from the P and F, Old Boys Union and Foundation, and advised them of the consultative process which includes 11 public meetings in different centres over the next six weeks.
Ms Cartwright said: “Every child is different, however, I don’t think there are proven benefits in single sex schools.”
Her two sons went to TAS and her daughter Kate, 12, is about to start high school.
“I couldn’t see a problem with Kate completing Year 12 at TAS,” Ms Cartwright said.
A decision on the plan will be made at the end of March.
If successful, the move would mean TAS would be similar to Geelong Grammar in Victoria and Barker College in Sydney, both of which have co-ed boarders.
