Other former pupils include British explorer and mountaineer George Mallory,fascist leader Oswald Mosley,several members of the Bonham Carter family,English poet and journalist and a lover of Oscar Wilde Lord Alfred Douglas and Goodies comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor.
“Founded in 1382 as a boys’ boarding school,Winchester has the longest continuous history of any English school and is poised to introduce girls to the College for the first time,” a spokesperson for Queenwood school said in a statement.
“Ms Stone has been chosen as their first female head since its inception,and she will continue to lead this significant change,offering young women the opportunity to experience a unique educational experience at Winchester.”
Stone,who has been principal at the Mosman private girls’ school for more than eight years,will leave her position in June next year.
“This is a ground-breaking appointment and represents a triumph for women’s leadership. It is significant for education globally and heralds a change in the traditional ideas that have shaped school and female leadership in the sector,” the Queenwood spokesperson said.
Winchester will admit girls as day students in sixth form - the final two secondary school years - from September and as boarders from 2024.