Mixed education offers 'the best of both worlds'

Michael Gibbons has taken over as both principal and chief executive of the 2,200 pupil school which was formed through the merger of the city's two leading single sex independent schools five years ago.

Leeds Grammar School dates back to 1552 while Leeds Girls' High was opened in 1876. Mr Gibbons believes the merger of the two and building work at Alwoodley Gates, means it has "facilities which are the envy of any school."

Mr Gibbons joined the Grammar School at Leeds, after working as the head of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Wakefield. He was educated at the City of Leicester Grammar School and gained his degree from King's College London.

"What excited me about the Grammar School at Leeds was the prospect of leading a school which combined the best of modernity with a rich and proud heritage," he said.

"A fabulous new school possessing exceptional facilities allied to a tradition of excellent education built upon generations of endeavour."

Boys and girls are taught separately until they are 16 and entering a mixed sixth form.

Mr Gibbons said: "We have got all the benefits of a co-educational school but at that crucial time up to the age of 16 boys and girls are taught in their own classrooms."