In light of the recent VAT increase, many private all-girls schools are facing closure at a staggering rate, outpacing even the rapid expansion of Elon Musk’s family. While some view this as a setback for girls’ educational opportunities, I find myself unmoved, despite my own background as an alumna of a single-sex school.
All-girls institutions are often touted as havens for gender equality, opportunity, and social mobility. However, they also carry a reputation for fostering high-pressure environments, competitiveness, and even issues such as eating disorders. My experiences in the 90s echo this sentiment, and conversations with fellow parents and educators indicate that these challenges persist today.
For instance, one mother relocated her daughters from two prestigious all-girls schools in Warwickshire to a co-educational environment, where they are now flourishing. Another parent shared that her daughter gained admission to a renowned institution in South London but ultimately felt overwhelmed and chose to transfer to a local co-ed comprehensive, where she found happiness. Both instances highlight the excessive competitiveness often found in all-girls settings. Personally, I have no intention of enrolling my daughter in a single-sex school. I believe the challenges faced in these environments are not exclusive to the private sector; several single-sex grammar schools in our area seem to grapple with similar issues.
From my observations as both a former student and as a parent of both sons and a daughter, I’ve noticed that social dynamics among girls can be particularly intense and, at times, dramatic. In my experience, having boys around can help mitigate some of this emotional turbulence.
Nevertheless, numerous studies suggest that girls often perform better academically in single-sex schools. According to recent research by the FFT education data firm, girls at these institutions are 10 percent more likely to achieve higher GCSE results compared to their co-educational counterparts. A study by the Girls’ School Association (GSA) revealed that girls in single-sex schools are more than five times as likely to participate in cricket and 30 percent more likely to engage in football than those in mixed settings. Additionally, girls attending all-girls schools are over twice as likely to take physics and computer science at A-level and almost three times as likely to pursue further mathematics. Encouraging more girls to enter STEM fields—where women typically represent less than a third of the workforce—can only be beneficial.
Donna Stevens, the chief executive of the GSA, argues that girls are able to concentrate better and excel in single-sex environments. Cheryl Giovannoni, the chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust, adds, “We continue to advocate that the true value is realized when girls are given the space they deserve to reach their full potential.”
While I can appreciate their perspective, I believe the advantages of co-educational schools outweigh the benefits of single-sex education. Mixed-gender environments more accurately reflect society and help diminish the “us vs. them” mentality I experienced at my all-girls school. Had I not had an older brother, boys might have seemed even more enigmatic to me. In contrast, my children, who attend co-ed schools, simply view their classmates as fellow students, which I believe is a positive foundation as they prepare to navigate the wider world.
There is a certain mindset associated with all-girls schools; for instance, one of my favorite authors, Jilly Cooper, who attended the Godolphin School in Salisbury, embodies the spirited and sometimes cheeky essence often attributed to alumni. Claudia Winkleman, a graduate of the City of London School for Girls, also showcases this vibrant yet approachable demeanor.
However, it should not be a prerequisite for girls to attend single-sex schools in order to cultivate confidence and a sense of rebellion. We are well aware that women can still face suppression in various forms, and ideally, such dynamics should not exist in educational settings. In countries like Sweden, where single-sex schools are nonexistent, this may contribute to a more democratic and egalitarian society—evident in the fact that women hold half of the chief executive positions in the country.
Therefore, if we genuinely aspire for equality—something every rational individual desires—shouldn’t our aim be to create a world where the need for single-sex schools is rendered obsolete? Although I am a product of an all-girls school, I remain resolute in my decision not to send my daughter to one.
