POLAM Hall School, Darlington, is to accept male students for the first time in its 150-year history.

The independent fee-paying school said the decision to allow boys into its sixth-form would help female pupils to ease into university life.

Headteacher Marie Green said she believed Polam Hall, which has about 500 pupils aged from two to 18, was bucking the trend.

"Boys' schools quite often decide to let girls in and we really don't see why a girls' school shouldn't be returning the compliment.

"It's excellent preparation for the next stage of their lives and we feel we have got something tremendous to offer here to boys."

The school already has a link with Hurworth House, a fee-paying school near Darlington, which teaches boys up to the age of 16.

A handful of boys from there study A-Levels at Polam Hall but remain Hurworth House pupils. Now they will be added to Polam Hall's register and boys from other schools will be encouraged to enrol, though none will be allowed to board.

Parents, pupils and teachers said they were delighted with the change.

Upper-sixth student Sara Wood, 17, of Aldbrough St John, near Richmond, said: "I'm quite sporty and it will be good to come in after watching the rugby on the TV and be able to talk to somebody about it."

Annie Bainbridge, vice-chairman of Polam Hall parents' association, said: "I think the experience of boys and girls working together at that age can only benefit the children's education."