IF it’s true that hell hath no fury, the boys at North Cestrian Grammar will be kept on their toes come autumn.

That’s because in September the school will welcome its first lot of female pupils.

In a break from 57 years of tradition, the independent boys’ school has allowed 34 girls to sit its entrance examination.

The girls visited for the day on Wednesday, February 6, taking exams in maths, English and reasoning, and also took part in workshops and presentations so they could get a feel for the school.

According to the school’s headteacher, David Vanstone, the decision to take on girls this year was the result of increasing pressure from parents saying they wanted to be able to send their daughters there.

He said: "North Cestrian has a well established reputation for giving people second chances and helping late developers.

"If we are going to continue to fulfil that role for education in the area, there is no need to do it in a single-sex environment."

Mr Vanstone said he had been surpised by the number of female applicants this year.

He said: "We thought it would start off quite slowly – mainly the sisters of established pupils – but we have been surprised and pleased by the level of interest.

"We also consulted carefully with the parents of our existing pupils and they were almost unanimously in favour of the move."

The school has already started making the necessary structural changes, such as installing girls’ toilets and changing rooms, and also plans to build a dance studio and netball court.

A girls’ PE teacher will also be hired.

Also on the list of changes is a home ecomonics classroom but But Mr Vanstone was quick to point out that the boys would be learning to cook as well as the girls.

He said: "The boys are doing home economics as well. The introduction of home economics has been partly triggered by the intake of girls, but also because the school tries to keep abreast of updates and changes in the curriculum.

"We are putting a lot into making this change, and we are dedicated to making it work."

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