A SCHOOL is set to welcome senior boys for the first time in its history.

Picturesque Cransley School at Great Budworth is opening its doors to boys aged 11-16 after being single sex in its senior school for more than 70 years.

Recognised as one of the country’s leading independent day schools, Cransley broke news of the changes to parents by letter and on Facebook.

Until now it has only allowed boys from nursery to primary school age.

From next autumn that will change and already it is receiving enquiries.

New headteacher Simon Leyshon said boys would join on a rolling programme, starting with the first year of senior school.

“The decision to move to co-education in our senior school is a natural development, reflecting the realities of today’s world,” he said.

“Girls go off to universities and have careers. Things have moved on since we were founded in the 1930s and in an equal opportunities society we must provide an environment where girls can prepare for a competitive and challenging world.

“It is a small beginning but we are optimistic and it is very heartening to hear from families with boys and girls who are delighted their children can join for the first time together.”

The headmaster joined the school in September after 11 years at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire where was head of religious studies and the school chaplain.

Although older boys will join from September, he said teaching would remain single sex across all subjects.

He added: “The welfare and academic development of our pupils remains the heart of every decision we make.

“As such Cransley will be introducing its ‘Diamond School Model’ which means teaching classes will remain single sex.

“This is a teaching model completely different to that of many other local schools. Girls and boys will continue to be taught in small classes, maximising the amount of focused teaching this allows.”

Founded in the 1935, Cransley School moved from Bowden near Altrincham to Belmont Hall, a listed Georgian building, in 1977.

For more information call 01606 891747.