The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

New research suggests girls in single-sex schools do slightly better in exams than girls in co-ed environments

  • Written by Claire Charles, Senior Lecturer in Education (Pedagogy and Curriculum), Deakin University
New research suggests girls in single-sex schools do slightly better in exams than girls in co-ed environments

Students at all-girls’ schools do slightly better in their exams than girls at co-educational schools, according to new research[1] from the United Kingdom.

This goes against previous studies[2] that suggest it does not matter if students attend single-sex or co-ed schools.

What is the study?

This research was done by FFT Education Datalab[3]. This is an independent research team specialising in education policy and statistics.

Using the United Kingdom’s National Pupil Database[4], the study looked at more than 580,000 students who attended more than 3,200 schools. All schools were government-funded (so were “public schools” in Australian termimology) and were either single sex or co-ed.

Students exam results were examined at the end of Year 11 and the study controlled for differences in schools and pupil characteristics, such as socioeconomic disadvantage or high levels of students who learned English as a second language.

High school students walk in a school hallway. A group also leans against a wall talking.
The study looked at the school results of more than 580,000 students in the UK. RDNE Stock Project/ Pexels, CC BY[5][6]

What did the research find?

The research found girls who went to all-girls’ schools recorded a small improvement in their exam results compared to their peers in co-educational schools.

This is after adjusting their results to account for factors such as disadvantage.

The gap is small – around one month’s progress for each of the students. But it is noticeable.

Yet for boys’ schools, there wasn’t any difference in results between single sex and co-ed schools.

Why is this important?

While the UK study was not peer-reviewed[7], this finding is important because it contradicts other recent large-scale research, which has found no statistically significant academic advantage to single-sex schooling.

For example, a 2022 analysis[8] of Irish students found no significant performance gaps between co-educational and single-sex schools.

A 2014 meta-analysis[9] (an overview of many studies) across 21 countries also found no high-quality evidence of benefits to single-sex schooling.

What about Australia?

This new research plays into the renewed debate over single sex schooling in Australia in recent months.

This follows some prestigious all boys’ schools announcing moves to co-education[10] (and some former students crying[11] about the change). It also follows multiple examples of sexism and misogyny by male students at both all-boys[12] and co-ed schools[13].

There is also a growing body of Australian research[14] examining toxic behaviour of boys towards their female teachers and peers.

So the UK research could further entrench a perception[15] girls are better off in single-sex schools.

This perception has a long history. Many girls schools were set up in the 1800s by pioneering headmistresses such as English educator Frances Buss[16], who believed in girls’ equal rights to education and girls’ schools were the best places to provide this.

Girls’ schools today retain an image of feminist progressivism[17], promoting the idea that “girls can achieve anything”. The perception is supported by some research evidence[18] that girls in single-sex schools are more likely to feel confident in traditionally male-dominated subjects such as STEM.

A black back with the white Newington school crest.
Newington in Sydney is planning to go to co-ed, despite concerns from some former students. Bianca De Marchi/ AAP

What needs to be done?

This UK study raises many questions. Are girls indeed better off on their own? Are there aspects of single-sex education that could be applied in co-ed environments? How do we ensure that all schools are schools of choice for girls, including coeducational schools?

We can investigate these questions further by doing research with families to better understand their perceptions and experiences of single-sex schools today. We can also do more research into the impact of programs such as Respectful Relationships[19], which have been introduced to build positive gender cultures in schools.

References

  1. ^ new research (ffteducationdatalab.org.uk)
  2. ^ previous studies (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  3. ^ FFT Education Datalab (ffteducationdatalab.org.uk)
  4. ^ National Pupil Database (www.find-npd-data.education.gov.uk)
  5. ^ RDNE Stock Project/ Pexels (www.pexels.com)
  6. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  7. ^ peer-reviewed (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ 2022 analysis (bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  9. ^ meta-analysis (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ moves to co-education (www.sbs.com.au)
  11. ^ crying (www.news.com.au)
  12. ^ all-boys (www.news.com.au)
  13. ^ co-ed schools (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ Australian research (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ perception (www.smh.com.au)
  16. ^ Frances Buss (www.britannica.com)
  17. ^ image of feminist progressivism (link.springer.com)
  18. ^ research evidence (eric.ed.gov)
  19. ^ Respectful Relationships (www.vic.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/new-research-suggests-girls-in-single-sex-schools-do-slightly-better-in-exams-than-girls-in-co-ed-environments-230425

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...