"Our aim continues to be to encourage and inspire our pupils and students within a supportive, nurturing and collaborative environment, where the pastoral care and support of each individual is key to their personal and academic growth. We are committed to maintaining, developing and promoting girls' education and the choices and opportunities this provides to them and the wider community."

Elizabeth College's Principal, Jenny Palmer, said she didn't "necessarily see this [news] as something that needs to break down that partnership".

"Of course the partnership with The Ladies College sixth form has been thought about, Mrs Clancy and I will continue to work together and talk to each other about it," she said, answering a question as to whether the cooperation between the two schools had been considered in the decision.

"I don't necessarily see this as something that needs to break down that partnership. It has been really positive over the last 20 years and it is still really positive for both schools, so I hope that we will be able to continue to work together, and we have got some more conversations and discussions to have."

It was 20 years ago that the two schools decided to combine their sixth forms, giving all of their students a chance to study a wider range of courses at A-Level. It also provided a break from both school's tradition of being single-sex, which let the students mix with each other in lessons. 

The system currently sees Ladies College girls study some lessons at Elizabeth College, making use of the Elizabeth College teachers and facilities, and vice versa. The sixth forms are generally presented as one product, and work together to advertise themselves to the public. 

Mrs Palmer did not yet have any details of how the system would work when Elizabeth College has girls throughout the school, including within its own sixth form. 

Pictured top: Elizabeth and Ladies Colleges share their sixth forms with each other.