Boys already make up 40 per cent of Key Stage 3 students at Westonbirt School, after just a year of coeducation.

In September 2019 boys were admitted into Year 7 for the first time in the independent school's history.

In response to demand Westonbirt accelerated its transition to co-education this year, admitting boys in Year 9 as well as Year 12.

The school has now grown by 50 per cent over the past two years, and this growth looks set to continue as a result of the demand for co-ed sixth form spaces for next year.

Westonbirt is currently working with Historic England on plans to develop the school.

Headmistress Natasha Dangerfield said she was delighted that the school is attracting a broad range of candidates.

“In a pandemic phase, breadth of education is more vital than ever.

"The abundance of outdoor space for sports at Westonbirt and our strong extra-curricular programme supports a holistic approach to education which benefits all students, regardless of gender.

"Parents increasingly appreciate that a greenhouse, not a hot house, is the optimum environment for children to flourish.

"We have recently completed the scholarship programme for our newly co-ed Sixth Form and I have been delighted with the level of demand, the breadth of candidates and the strength of applications."