History is being made, as well as taught, at Ampleforth College Junior School this term, as its first female pupils sit at their desks.

Last May, Ampleforth Abbot Timothy Wright announced that the school would become "mixed" from September 2001.

But sisters Fabia and Jemima Tate, from Thirsk, decided they could not wait until then and have now started in the 100-strong boys' school.

The decision to end the ban on girls was taken after parents of existing pupils were contacted and asked their views. Acting Head Paul Mulvihill said the feedback from parents showed the way forward was through mixed education.

The boys are responding "magnificently" to their new schoolmates.

Mr Mulvihill continued: "Maybe they did find it a bit awkward to find themselves sitting next to a girl, but that soon disappeared and Fabia and Jemima have quickly become part of the furniture. They are mixing very well indeed, and I personally think that it will be better for the boys to be in a mixed environment - it will help prepare them for life ahead."

Despite being outnumbered by boys 50 to one, eight-year-old Jemima said: "I enjoy playing the table football machine and the boys have made us feel welcome from the start," she said.

Her sister, Fabia, ten, said: "I enjoy the sports including rugby, swimming, short tennis and badminton."

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, January 31, 2001