A GIRL has single-handedly dismantled the male-only ethos at Durham Chorister School.

Kimberley Forrest, 13, has not only become the first head girl at the school, but has now won the top scholarship award.

Founded by the cathedral prior and monks in 1416, the school only admitted its first female pupils as recently as 1995.

Kimberley has worked her way through the year groups and became the school's first-ever head girl at the start of term.

She has now outdone her male counterparts by earning the top scholarship award open to Chorister School pupils.

Kimberley, of Shotley Bridge, won the King's Scholarship, for entry to nearby Durham School, in September.

While delighted at her award, Kimberley has more pressing commitments in trying to help the Chorister School netball and rounders teams to victory in forthcoming matches.

Other award winners are 13-year-old flautist and fencer Toby Mitchell, from Durham, who won a music exhibition to Durham School.

Gareth Pratt, 13, from Low Pittington, and 12-year-old Harry Drummond, from Cornsay Colliery, both won All-Round awards to Durham School.

Andrew Walker, 12, from Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington, won the top scholarship to Barnard Castle School joining brother Simon, who won a music scholarship last year.

Four pupils, 12-year-old twins Rohan and Roshai Desai, 13-year-old James Finch and Stephen Frenk, 12, all from Durham, won places to Newcastle Royal Grammar School.

Head teacher Stephen Drew, who moves to Cambridge in the summer, said he was 'thrilled' at the results, which made for a great swansong after eight-and-a-half years at the Chorister School.