A consultation on whether to let boys into Scotland's last remaining state-funded single-sex school will be considered by officials next week.

Glasgow City Council's administration committee is expected to rubber-stamp the new proposals to decide the future of Notre Dame High School, in the city's west end, on March 7th.

That would trigger a full consultataion with parents and other organisations such as the Catholic Church.

While there are still a handful of private girls' schools in Scotland, Notre Dame, a Catholic school founded in 1897, is the last remaining one in the comprehensive system.

The consultation was drawn up after families from the co-educational Notre Dame Primary called for the council to let boys into the secondary.

Read more: We go inside Scotland's last state girls' school

However, many parents feel strongly about preserving the status of the secondary, including families from both the Muslim and Catholic communities.

The consultation will look at three options including the two extremes of either no change at all or of allowing the school to accept boys.

A third option would retain the single-sex status of the school but would add more local primary schools to its catchment area.

Currently, nearly three-quarters of the school's pupils come from across the city after applying through placing requests.

In a report to the committee, Chris Cunningham, the council's education spokesman, said: "Over a long period of time parents from across the city are choosing or have chosen single-sex education in Notre Dame High. Retaining this option would benefit families for whom this is a preference.

"Moving to co-education would support families who wish siblings to attend the same secondary school within their community."

Mr Cunninghame said a move to co-educational status would alter the school dynamic and that the curriculum may also alter.

Read more: Parents demand single-sex school admits boys

He said: "This may increase the range of options available to all pupils. Socially, co-education could provide a more realistic experience in terms of preparation for future study and work.

"However, current pupils regularly describe the benefits of girls-only education in relation to improving their confidence, particularly in science-related subjects."

Mr Cunningham also said the current situation where pupils came from 50 different primary schools across the city was a "significant challenge".

However, Michelle Watt, chairwoman of the Notre Dame High School parent council, said a majority of families there wanted to preserve its single-sex status.

She said: "We are hoping the school, which has been providing choice in the community for over 120 years, will remain as such.

"It offers access and opportunity for girls from various backgrounds right across the city and we are hoping that choice will remain given there is so much on offer in the west end of Glasgow already in terms of co-educational options."

Mrs Watt said the school offered a nurturing environment where pupils did not have to think about their gender and could be encouraged in subjects such as science, traditionally seen as the preserve of boys.

Read more: One of the last Scottish private schools for girls shuts

However, Jill Grady, a spokeswoman for the Notre Dame High for All campaign, said they were delighted the council had an opportunity to press ahead with the consultation.

She said: "We question whether there is a role for single-sex education in the state-funded education system and, at a time of cuts, we also question why the school is not full.

"We believe there is a strong desire for change. We understand the history of the school, but there is a need to bring it into the 21st century and let boys and girls be educated together in their local communities."

The last time there was a challenge to the status of Notre Dame, one of the best performing schools in the city, was in 1999 when a group of parents took legal advice on the issue. The education committee suggested a consultation, but it was rejected by the full council.

Earlier this week, The Herald revealed that Craigholme private girls' school on the south side of the city is being forced to close in the summer after a significant decline in pupil numbers.

A council spokeswoman said: "The consultation, if agreed at city administration committee next week, is the ideal opportunity for all interested parties to make their views known as part of the consultation process.”