A PRIVATE school in York, which once taught Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench, is changing direction.

From September the Mount School will become North Yorkshire’s only all-girls school from the age of four to 18.

Although the school’s senior school is currently single-sex, its junior school Tregelles, accepts boys, which will change for the new intake this autumn.

Tregelles will be fully incorporated as one school and will see the whole school become known as The Mount.

Principal Julie Lodrick said: “The Mount has been successfully educating girls in York since 1785 and is the only Quaker day and boarding school for girls in the UK. We feel confident that now is absolutely the right time to make this change.

“We will offer a real choice in York and the surrounding area that has not been available until this point. This will enable us to offer a tailor-made curriculum which will provide girls with an excellent all-round education.”

The school has advised all parents of the changes and has reassured those with boys in the junior school that The Mount will remain committed to their education and they can finish their full period at the school up to and including Year 6.