The new intake at St Aloysius begin a new chapter for the school

IT has been a historic start to the new school year for a college in Highgate with girls putting on its uniform for the first time.

St Aloysius’ College in  Hornsey Lane changed its boys-only admissions rules for the first time in 146 years – with the first girls arriving in the Year 7 intake this month.

It said it had made the switch amid a growing trend among long­-standing institutions adapting to modern expectations of inclusivity.

Old boys at the school include the late actor and comedian Peter Sellers, a pupil there in the late 1930s, and more recently Daniel Kaluuya, the Oscar-winning actor who grew up in Camden Town.

Former Juventus winger Samuel Illing-Junior – now with Aston Villa – is also a former student.

But the famous alumni in the future will include women too.

Staff this week said the change has brought fresh energy to the Hornsey Lane campus and comes after  exam results above the national average and scores up from last year.

Headteacher Paula Whyte said: “There’s real momentum on our campus and we’re all excited for a future brimming with potential and new opportunities.”

An open day for next year’s applications is being held next Thursday (Sept 18) from 4.30pm.