Priory School in Edgbaston is to accept boys into year seven of its Senior School from September 2007.

The move will see the introduction of a new teaching model - together but separate - in which girls and boys will be educated separately in core subjects such as English, maths, science and modern foreign languages, while together for subjects such as history and geography.

This innovative model, which has been adopted by a number of leading independent schools across the country, allows for the necessary separation for academic success, while also enabling the social preparation for life in university and beyond.

The decision to accept boys into year seven has followed a long period of business planning and consultation with parents.

Elaine Brook, the headmistress at Priory School, explains the thinking behind the school's decision.

"For many years now I have been overwhelmed by requests from parents who would like to see their boys progress from year six into year seven of our school," she said.

"After a period of consultation and planning to ensure our finances and structure could support such a move, our challenge was to find an educational model that would best serve the interests of both our male and female pupils.

"The together but separate model allows us to combine the very best in traditional and modern thinking and teaching. It will enable us to employ different curricula in the core subjects to ensure that boys and girls can shine in subjects traditionally dominated by the other sex.

"It will also allow students to profit from being together in the study of less gender dominated subjects and help ensure the necessary social integration for life at university and beyond.

"This decision represents an exciting move in Priory School's long-term development and is one I am looking forward to spearheading," she added. Priory School has traditionally accepted boys and girls from the age of one up until the end of preparatory education.

Honouring the choices made by the parents of girls in year eight and above, these girls will continue to be educated in a single-sex environment at the school.