Oakham School is a local institution which has proudly been a co-educational facility since 1970.

The first cohort of girls arrived at Oakham School in 1971, with a new sports hall to accommodate this influx of new students, and so new sporting disciplines, being built in 1972.

Here, young girls and boys plays squash, learned fencing, and began the co-educational journey of Oakham School.

Academic and extra-curricular activities also supported this transition, with girls being accepted into the Combined Cadet Force in 1973 - something that students can still be seen enjoying today.

In 1977, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme followed suit. This saw 14 girls achieve their Bronze award and 4 achieve their Silver. The gold award followed in 1979.

Meanwhile, in 1975, Orchard Close was purchased and converted into a girls' House, meaning that female students could board, attracting pupils from further afield.

By 1976, the girls had surpassed the boys, achieving an 88% academic success rate, with the boys achieving an admirable 86%.

Now, co-education is a fundamental part of the school and it has been celebrated this year in a host of events run by the school. One particular success was the school's production of 'Blue Stockings'.

Headmaster, Henry Price, said that: "Blue Stockings was fantastic, celebrating 50 years of co-education, retaining the DNA of Oakham School being a deeply co-educational establishment."