UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson urges Eton College to admit girls

Intervention comes amid row after teacher disciplined over 'progressive teaching' agenda

A man runs past Eton College and Eton College Chapel on 26 September 2020 in Eton, United Kingdom. There was an outbreak of the coronavirus at Eton College in early September after several students tested positive for Covid-19 upon their return to the school following the summer holidays. (photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)
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The British government's Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says one of country's most exclusive all boys schools should admit girls.

Eton College is one of only four boys-only independent boarding schools and traces its history back to the reign of Henry VIII.

"I'd be very much in favour of Eton taking girls. I think it would be a good step forward," Mr Williamson told BBC's Radio 4 Today programme on Thursday.

The school counts 20 UK prime ministers among its past pupils, including Boris Johnson.

It has also been attended by Nobel laureates, award-winning actors and members of the royal family.

Mr Williamson's remarks came during a freedom-of-speech row at the school after an English teacher was sacked over a lecture video that some considered sexist.

Will Knowland posted a lecture questioning the "current radical feminist orthodoxy" on his YouTube channel after the school refused to let him teach it in class.

More than 1,000 children have since signed a petition demanding that Mr Knowland be allowed to return to the school, which costs £42,500 ($56,950) a year to attend.

Eton administrator William Waldegrave said two barristers found that the video broke equality law and regulations governing independent schools.

He said the school had no option but to dismiss the teacher after he refused to take the video down.

"Eton now, as in the past, is a school which prides itself on encouraging open-minded, independent and critical thinking," Mr Waldegrave said.

"Boys are encouraged to think about and discuss challenging topics. Eton will never cancel debate.

"Everyone, including the teacher concerned, accepts that such freedom cannot be absolute."

Mr Knowland has appealed against his dismissal.