Elite Sydney school goes co-ed

An elite boy's school in Sydney's northern suburbs will become fully co-educational to "reflect real life".

Barker College, an Anglican day and boarding school in Hornsby, has announced it will make the transition to better prepare students for real life and provide much-needed choice for families in the area.

"Life is co-ed," says college head Phillip Heath.

"A person's gender is no longer the determining factor in their life choices."

The school, which already accepts girls from years 10 to 12, hopes to become fully co-educational by 2022.

Boys and girls will be taught to respect each other, Mr Heath said on Friday.

"(This) will be an invaluable preparation for life beyond school where the world yearns to see a more compassionate and inclusive people," he said.