A grammar school has abolished the positions of head boy and girl in favour of gender-neutral roles in order to appoint the "best people for the job".

Pupils at Guernsey Grammar School will no longer be shortlisted based on their gender but instead purely on merit.

The school now appoints a chair, vice-chairperson and a Student Voice Leadership Team. The change has led to the two positions being held by boys this year – but teachers said they were not concerned by the imbalance as the pair were simply the best candidates.

Liz Coffey, the school’s headteacher, said she hopes that changing the titles of the roles is more inclusive as it does away with male and female stereotypes.

She said she does not want students to see jobs as being “gender specific”, and the new position titles prepare children for the workplace.

"That gives the students the experience of what it actually might be like when they enter the workplace," Mrs Coffey said.

"It’s our responsibility to ensure young people are educated and made ready for that world." She explained that she wants children to feel that they have been chosen for a position “not because of their gender but because they are the best person for the position.

"Just like I am not a headmistress, I am a head teacher, it is important because of job credibility. People will still draw a nurse as a woman when asked,” she said. "This is another way to try and ensure stereotypes disappear. It's a very good thing to have on your CV."

The news comes amid a wave of changes across a number of British schools put in place to address issues concerning transgender students.

Last year Highgate School, in north London, introduced gender-neutral uniforms, allowing boys to wear skirts. Blackheath High School is said to be considering introducing gender-neutral toilets.