The Times: Manners makyth a girl too, says Winchester College head

Winchester, where boys cheered on their team in 1935, will be modernised. Its motto, right, will remain

Since its beginnings in 1382 Winchester College has been guided by the motto “Manners Makyth Man”. But more than 600 years after it was founded by William of Wykeham to teach 70 “poor and needy scholars”, Britain’s oldest public school will open its doors to sixth-form girls.

They will join as day pupils in a 50-50 split with boys as the school offers places to non-boarders — another first.

The girls will also be able to join as boarders once the moves are all introduced by 2024.

Officials at the school have been discussing the issue for more than 100 years, since 1899, its head told The Times in an exclusive interview. Tim Hands, master of the school, said: “It took 122 years, notably speedy in our terms.

“I don’t mind what your background is, I want to know what you’ve done with your personality and your opportunities. The school has produced lots of leaders in the past. We are going to produce, we hope, leaders of the future and they will be both men and women.

The full article (paywall): Manners makyth a girl too, says Winchester College head