Boys are allowed at girls' school

Polam Hall School is to admit boys for the first time in 150 years

A prestigious independent girls' school is to admit boys for the first time in its 150-year history.

Polam Hall School in Grange Road, Darlington, will permit boys aged between 16 to 19 years into sixth form.

But headteacher at the fee-paying school, Marie Green, said there was "no question" of younger boys enrolling.

She said admitting more mature boys was a "win, win situation" and the radical policy change would help attract more students to the 500-pupil school.

Miss Green said: "There has been a lot of discussion and the staff, the governors and the parents are all unanimous that this is natural progress and a win, win situation.

"We want to provide the best possible opportunities for boys and girls - academically there is sparking of ideas across the genders especially in discussion-based subjects.

"And the social advantages of admitting boys to sixth form is obvious as they are mature enough to get on with their work."

The advantages of single sex education from 11 to 16 are well-documented Headteacher Marie Green

Polam Hall, which was founded in 1854, provides nursery, day-school and boarding accommodation, for girls aged between 3 to 18 years.

Fees at the school range from £1,300 to £5,200 a term.

Miss Green added: "There is absolutely no question of younger boys being admitted.

"The advantages of single sex education from 11 to 16 are well-documented.

"GSCE results in girls' schools are better and they are not squeezed out or put off taking more male-dominated subjects such as science.

"This is not the thin end of the wedge or the slippery slope. "