Gender

Understanding School Gender

This field indicates whether the school admits boys only, girls only, or both (mixed/co-educational).

Types of Schools

Mixed/Co-educational: Admits both boys and girls. The vast majority of state schools in England are co-educational.

Girls’ School: Admits only girls. More common in grammar schools and some faith schools.

Boys’ School: Admits only boys. Less common than girls’ schools but found among grammar and faith schools.

The Single-Sex vs Co-Ed Debate

Arguments for single-sex education:

• Students may feel less pressure to conform to gender stereotypes
• Teaching can be tailored to different learning styles
• Some research suggests girls achieve better GCSE results in single-sex schools
• May reduce distractions during adolescence

Arguments for co-educational schools:

• Better preparation for the mixed-gender adult world
• Broader social development
• More natural environment
• Wider choice of schools

What Research Shows

Studies on single-sex vs co-ed education show mixed results. Any apparent advantage of single-sex schools often disappears when controlling for factors like selectivity and socioeconomic intake. A good co-ed school will serve most students better than a weaker single-sex one.

For Parents

Consider your child’s:

• Personality and social preferences
• Academic needs and the school’s academic quality
• Comfort level in different environments

The school’s overall quality matters more than whether it’s single-sex or co-ed.