Evolution v revolution: Row as girls take over boys' dorm at Shrewsbury School

Now the continuing evolution of Shrewsbury School is seeing one of its all-male boarding houses changing into an all-female house – ending 150 years of tradition.

Governors have decided to convert Moser's Hall to accept girls by September 2017.

But the decision has led to a storm of opposition, with more than 200 present and past pupils signing an online petition calling for governors to rethink their plans.

Staff say the decision has been made because the three girls' houses are "full to bursting" and the school has a significant number of girls wishing to join.

But that has not impressed those behind the petition, entitled Save Moser's Hall – Keep It As A Boy's House.

According to its authors: "The housemaster of Moser's Hall was forced to give the hardest message he has ever given to the boys in his care.

"The message he had to give came as a total surprise. The boys of Moser's shall be evicted to make way for girls in 2017. This will have far-reaching affects on our education and our future lives.

"We love our house and it is our home."

So far more than 220 people have signed the petition.

They include Toby Thomas, who said: "I'm signing because I believe the governors' decision to change Moser's into a girls house is not the most appropriate method of attaining the boy:girl ratio that they want."

And fellow signatory Matt Smith said: "Tradition is what the school is built upon, traditionally Moser's is a boys house and tradition should be respected."

Koby Ferdinand-Okpala said: "I am signing as I don't believe it's okay to merely take somebody away from their home."

Kathy Campbell, a spokeswoman on behalf of the school, said: "In 2011, building on the success of admitting girls into the sixth form in 2008, Shrewsbury School announced the decision to move to full co-education.

"In September 2014 the school welcomed the first cohort of third and fourth form girls. We are delighted that this stage of the school's development has been met with positive support from the families of both girls and boys and has been a great success for the girls and boys themselves.

"We now find ourselves in a position where our three girls' houses – Mary Sidney Hall, Emma Darwin Hall and The Grove are full to bursting, with significant numbers of talented girls wishing to join us in future years.

"In order to provide the appropriate ratio of accommodation, it will be necessary to create another girls' house.

"After a thorough investigation of a number of different options, we have taken the decision that Moser's Hall is the most appropriate house to convert into girls' accommodation. This is in no way a reflection of the Moser's community, which has always been impressive, or the excellent way it has been, and continues to be, nurtured by the housemaster, his wife and the Moser's staff who are a most dedicated team.

"At Shrewsbury School we are committed to harnessing the best of time-honoured traditions and values with a forward-looking approach, to ensure we remain dynamic and relevant into the future."

A letter from headmaster Mark Turner to parents said life in Moser's Hall will continue as normal through the year 2015 to 2016, but it will not be recruiting a third form next September.

In the letter he said: "At their recent meeting, the governors considered a whole range of options, including new-build of another girls' house, and the integration of day boys within boarding houses. However, after extensive research, it has been decided that we should convert another boys' house to be able to accept girls by September 2017.

"Moser's Hall has been chosen, partly because we feel it needs substantial refurbishment, as the most suitable house."

Mr Turner said the school will be arranging a series of meetings for each year group, to talk about the future implications for the male pupils.

Shrewsbury School is an independent school for 13 to 18-year-olds and attracts pupils from all over the country.