AN independent school in Taunton is celebrating after reaching its 40th year of co-education.
Queen's College, which previously mostly only allowed male pupils until 1977, marked the anniversary of its first female students at an event on Saturday (April 28).
While the school had a few female pupils before 1977, the first main cohort started that year.
The gathering included ten of the first female students, including Catherine Hubbard - the very first.
Eight of the students were from the school's first cohort, joining in the 1977-78 school year.
Women from the first cohort of female pupils enjoying the event.
The guests were welcomed at the event by Dr Lorraine Earps, the school's first female headteacer who currently holds the position.
Dr Earps said that the school now has a 50-50 split of boys and girls across all age groups.
She added: “We want to produce strong women and good men. That is our aim and I believe we are very successful in doing this at Queen’s.”
Entertainment followed by two current students, pianists Rachel Lui and Jessica Chan and, after a buffet lunch, Dr Earps presented Queen's College pendants to the first girls in attendance before a tour of the school.
The guests were able to see demonstrations by students in subjects such as food technology and design technology.
Other current students heard from two Old Queenians - Dunya Aksentijevic and Flo Broderick.
Flo Broderick talking with students.
Dunya Aksentijevic talking to current pupils.
Dunya is a heart researcher at Queen Mary University of London, while Flo travels worldwide working for a New York-based software company.
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