The debate over single-sex versus co-educational schools is a tricky one. Supporters of single-sex schools say they create an environment where students feel more confident and focused on their studies. Girls in these schools often do really well in subjects like science, and boys feel comfortable trying things that are more traditionally feminine. Research from the University of Virginia found that students in single-sex schools tend to do better academically. Girls, in particular, show big improvements in maths and science compared to those in co-ed schools. A study by the Girls' Schools Association in 2021, using data from the Department for Education, revealed that girls' schools had twice as many students taking maths A level and 2.5 times as many taking further maths and physics compared to co-ed schools.
Conversely, others argue that co-educational schools are better because they help students prepare for the real world. They contend these schools teach social skills and include everyone, exposing students to different viewpoints. Co-educational schools also have practical benefits, such as making it easier for families with children in different year groups and of different genders to drop them off at school.
Even though both single-sex and co-educational schools have their merits, single-sex schools are becoming less common as more of them transition to co-education. According to the Independent Schools Council’s 2023 Census, there are currently 92 fully single-sex independent boys’ schools and 139 independent girls’ schools in the UK, comprising 17% of all independent schools. Many once firmly single-sex schools are now adopting co-education or planning to do so. For example, in 2022, Winchester College, which has a 642-year history of being all-boys, admitted girls into the Sixth Form for the first time. Similarly, Godolphin, one of the oldest all-girls’ schools in the country, intends on becoming co-educational in 2025. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including financial considerations, changes in family structures, and a growing emphasis on inclusivity. Additionally, proposed VAT changes by the Labour government may also be a contributing factor, alongside practical considerations such as convenience for families with both sons and daughters attending the same school.
In the end, we feel that it comes down to what's best for your child and what makes sense for your family. We want to help you pick a school that fits your child's needs and values. When choosing schools, we consider pastoral care, academic results, support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and extra- curricular activities. Our main aim when advising any parent is to ensure the selected schools provides a supportive and enriching environment where each student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We want every child to feel supported and flourish, whether the school is co-educational or single-sex, and thus our recommendations may include both.
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