All-boys school set up as a marine training academy will welcome girls into its classrooms for the first time in its 234-year-old history

• Trinity House Academy in Hull, East Yorks., will admit girls from September 2022
• It marks the first time in the former marine training academy’s 234-year history
• Pupils still wear naval-inspired uniforms and study maritime subjects in classes

A 234-year-old all-boys school is set to welcome female students into its classrooms for the first time in its history.

The historic Trinity House Academy in Hull, East Yorks., will admit girls from September 2022 under plans approved by the trust that runs the school.

The move, which follows a public consultation, will see the former marine training academy double its capacity from 120 to 240 students and move to a new location in the city.

Delta Academies Trust Chief Executive Officer, Paul Tarn, welcomed the decision and said: ‘The Trust will continue working in partnership with Hull City Council to develop the plans.

‘The Academy will be central to a resurgent city, with new jobs and opportunities accessible to the young people of Hull.

The historic Trinity House Academy in Hull, East Yorks., is set to admit girls from September 2022, which if approved will be the first time in the school’s 234-year history

The move, which follows a public consultation, will see the former marine training academy double its capacity from 120 to 240 students and move to a new location in the city.(Pictured: The Queen previously visited Trinity House School)

The former marine training academy which will open its doors to female pupils for the first time

Trinity House Academy is an all-boys comprehensive secondary school situated in Hull city centre in East Yorkshire.

The Academy is the only state-funded boys’ school currently operating in Hull. 

Founded in 1787, the school was originally set up as a marine navigation school in connection with an ancient seafaring charity.

It takes its name from Trinity House, which is dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers.

The Corporation of Trinity House was incorporated by Royal Charter under Henry VIII in 1514 to regulate pilotage on the River Thames and provide for aged mariners. 

It was run by elders known as The Bretheren.   

The school initally welcomed 36 pupils who dilligently studied the school’s principal subjects; Arithmetic and Navigation. 

The uniform was traditionally naval wear, and upper school boys are still required to wear the naval ‘square rig’ uniform – a white shirt and white cloth covered peak cap.

In April 2012 the school became an academy. Despite its conversion and general modernisation, Trinity House still offers a course in Maritime Studies to this day. 

Their website states: ‘Hull Trinity House Academy remains very proud of its history and traditions and our motto ‘Spes Super Sydera’ (Hope beyond the Stars) still clearly sums up our Academy’s aims.’ 

Source: Trinity House Academy’s website

‘The aim is for the move to happen in time for September 2022.

‘Our focus throughout has been on what is in the best interests of current and future students at Trinity House Academy.

‘We have worked with The Brethren and local governors to ensure traditions at the school will be maintained, whilst creating an outstanding learning and teaching experience and offering greater opportunities to young people across the city.’

The school was founded in 1787 as a marine school for boys destined for careers at sea, and taught navigation and other maritime skills.

It was run by the seafarers’ charity and guild Trinity House, and has remained boys-only and linked to the organisation ever since.

Initially private, it later entered the state sector as a technical school and has been a comprehensive academy since 2014.

A year later, it moved from its Victorian site to the old Hull Nautical College buildings after they had been vacated by the University of Lincoln.

Pupils still wear naval-inspired uniforms, maritime studies remains on the curriculum and activities such as sailing are available.

Hull Trinity House Academy Principal Graham Moffatt said: ‘We are looking forward to discussing next steps with students, staff and parents, and sharing the great opportunities this project will unlock for our school community.’

Under the plans, laid out earlier this year, girls would enter as part of a phased expansion, one year at a time, starting at Year 7 in September 2022.

In a consultation sent out to parents in March, the trust said it planned to move to a co-education school because it ‘supports equality of opportunity for all’.

It also added it would allow local families to choose its ‘unique educational offer for their daughters as well as for their sons’.

It also highlighted the fact that the number of women going into and succeeding in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects is ‘increasing rapidly’.

The numbers of women who choose to go to sea as a profession was also noted as a reason as this figure has ‘increased dramatically’. 

Founded in 1787, the school was originally set up as a marine navigation school in connection with an ancient seafaring charity

Councillor Shane McMurray, of Hull City Council, said: ‘During several meetings with Delta Academy Trust my cynicism diminished very quickly.

‘It is very clearly in the interest of young people within the city to have this school increase its capacity.

‘Not only will they be inducting more young people into a school with a strong ethos and strong learning culture, but they will also be able to increase the breadth of their current curriculum to include more specialist subjects.

‘All my initial reservations were overcome upon speaking with the academy who clearly had put in place a plan to mitigate potential issues.

‘I have also had assurance that the school will work to have a positive impact in the local community that it will be amongst; beyond its immediate pupil numbers.

‘It’s absolutely imperative that the young people of Hull have the best possible chance of accessing the new jobs and industries that have been and will be developing on our coast and this school is able to deliver this in an authentic way.

‘I wish the very best future for the school, the staff and most of all the pupils of this school.’

Capt Dennis Robinson, Master Warden of The Brethren and on the Academy Advisory Body, supports the move.

He said: ‘Trinity House was the first Navigation School, established in 1787, by The Brethren, which was forward thinking indeed.

In April 2012 the school (pictured, stock image) became an academy. Despite its conversion and general modernisation, Trinity House still offers a course in Maritime Studies to this day

‘Now, almost 250 years later, The Brethren realise that times have changed.

‘Whilst the demand for British Seafarers has reduced overall, the numbers of women who choose to go to sea as a profession has increased dramatically and we know of all female crews on ships and aircraft.

‘The Brethren would therefore support the school becoming co-educational, and extend the nautical ethos, education and training opportunities of the Academy to both sexes.

‘For over 200 years, the school has been within the Trinity House Estate and the move to the old Nautical College buildings in George Street was a move away from The House.

‘However, the links between The House and the school have remained strong, as has the ethos and character of the school.

‘The Brethren are assured, and confident, that that ethos and character of the school, formed over many years, will remain as strong, if not stronger, if this initiative comes about.

‘They are confident that the larger school will be every bit as academically successful as it has been in recent years with strong outcomes for the pupils, whether they take up a seagoing career or not.’ 

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