Winchester College is to overturn centuries of tradition by taking girl pupils for the first time, it announced today.

The 700-pupil private school is to admit girls and day pupils into the Sixth Form as part of what it calls a 'wider modernisation agenda'.

Alumni, parents, staff, boys and future parents will be consulted on how best to implement the changes.

The school, where fees are around £42,000 a year, today announced ‘Winchester College in the 21st Century’, a new vision and significant programme of change for the school.

The Governing Body says it is confident that the changes will enable the school to continue its unique approach to education, based on values which have endured for centuries.

The changes include:

* admission of girls and day pupils into the sixth form from 2022 and girl boarders from 2024;

* a growth in the school’s bursary provision, with the initial objective of a 25 per cent increase, from 120 to 150 pupils by 2024;

* Expansion of the school’s online learning provision to provide greater opportunities for collaboration with the maintained sector.

It has been one of only four all-boy boarding schools left in the country.

Warden, Sir Richard Stagg (chairman of governors) said today: “We are determined that Winchester, which led the way when it was founded almost 640 years ago, continues to be a leader and influencer of great education on the modern global stage. These changes represent an exciting new phase in Winchester’s history, which will bring multiple benefits to current and future generations of Wykehamists.”

Headmaster Dr Tim Hands said: “Today’s announcements are the product of discussions over many years and I am delighted to take them forward. Our founder, William of Wykeham, was a philanthropist and visionary who revolutionised education, and it’s his tradition of looking ahead that we seek to continue.”

The school has announced a new emphasis on the global context and the forces which have shaped the modern world, and an increased emphasis on creativity, collaboration and innovation.

It is also looking to improve its built and natural spaces with a focus on imaginative and sustainable design, pupil wellbeing and enhancing the individual character of each house community.

The school was founded in 1382 by William of Wykeham. Alumni include Rishi Sunak (Chancellor of the Exchequer), former chancellor Geoffrey Howe, General Sir Nick Carter (Chief of the Defence Staff), George Nash MBE (Olympic rower), David Thouless (Nobel Prize in Physics 2016), Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (India’s Cricket Captain), Joss Whedon (screenwriter and film director) and George Mallory (pioneering Everest mountaineer).

Over time the school plans to admit each year a minimum of 30 day pupils into the Sixth Form (of which approximately half will be girls) and up to 50 girl boarders.