A century old all-girls school in Plumstead has announced it will start admitting boys, a month after teachers at the school went on strike in protest over cuts.

Plumstead Manor will become co-ed for the first time since it opened in 1913, starting gradually in September 2018 with boys in Year 7.

A statement from the school said: “In light of the need for more school places for secondary aged students in Greenwich, and with a new girls’ school opening up in the near future in the area, we have had to consider the best decision to secure a healthy and stable intake.

“We are mindful that we hold on to those important features of our school as an all girls’ institution from Year 7 to 11, as the introduction of boys to the school takes place gradually from September 2018.

“At this pivotal moment in the school’s history we are respectful of our past, and will take enormous care to preserve our ethos offering all young people the chance to thrive and flourish as we open our doors to boys in Year 7 from September 2018”

“We are pleased that after an open and transparent consultation process a definitive decision has been reached and we are able to plan the next phase of the school’s ongoing development.

“This is an opportunity for the school to assert our core values of success, harmony, excellence and justice and to extend our offer of high quality teaching in a safe and happy environment to the young people and families of Greenwich.”

Teachers at Plumstead Manor went on strike on April 20 and picketed outside the school in protest against proposed redundancies.

At the time, Plumstead Manor admitted that “like many schools, we face some financial challenges due to changes in school funding.”

In a statement to parents, the all-girls school said: “It is important to place what is happening at Plumstead Manor in the national context where many schools are facing financial difficulties.

“This is a situation that is only going to worsen for many other schools in the next 12 months.”