Younger boys at Bradford Grammar School are in for the shock of their lives after governors decided to allow girls - currently restricted to the sixth form only - to enter main school's hallowed halls from next year. Education reporter Lyn Barton went to see whether it would be a case of "Yuk, Girls!" or whether the boys would be happy to have some female competition.

Young Oliver Browne likes the idea of having girls around the school, as do most of his mates at Bradford Grammar.

They reckon the fuss will die down before the end of term and it will back to business as usual - showing the girls who is boss!

"I like the idea," said the 13-year-old. "People will say that there might be a distraction from work, but that will only last for a few months or so."

And what a few months that will be after next September when the high- flying school - which counts former Labour Chancellor Denis Healey, now Lord Healey of Riddlesden, and artist David Hockney as old boys - allows girls to put on the distinctive brown and grey uniform for the first time.

But the boys are convinced that getting girls into the school is the right and proper thing in a modern society.

Luke Algar, a 12-year-old who has been at the school for a year, says it's only right because girls are everywhere these days. "It's more likely that a woman will be a boss or manager now and that wouldn't have happened 30 years ago," he said. "I think it's time to go forward."

However, that age-old teenage question of who is best, boys or girls, is bound to generate some rivalry.

"I think having girls around will raise standards. I don't mean what the government says about girls being cleverer, because they aren't, but because everyone will be working harder," said Adam Roebuck, aged 11.

Luke agreed: "We have got to prove to the girls who's in charge."

Richard Bradford had a very mature overview for a 13-year-old. He explained girls were good at some things and boys at others, but they should learn to work together and what better place to do that than a classroom.

"Some of us come from a long way away and by the time you get home and do your homework you are left with little time. We have got to learn to interact with girls at school because otherwise we may not get the chance."

Patrick Carter, 11, who has been at Bradford Grammar for just a week, says they have all got something to learn from girls at the school.

He came from a mixed school, as did Amit Mistra, 12, and both can tell their school mates that there will be a big difference.

The biggest problem with girls, says Patrick, is that they cannot keep a secret.

"If you want something broadcast to the school but haven't got a loudspeaker handy, just tell it to a girl," said Adam.

But all the young lads accept that they might be wrong and, as Richard quite rightly points out: "You can't avoid girls. They are there and you can't escape that."

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