Vox Pop – Single Sex Vs Co-Education?

The argument of independent over state education has racked the minds of many parents and students over the years, but an issue not reflected on as much is the comparison between Co-Ed and single sex education – whether either are more significantly beneficial academically or socially to students. As someone who enrolled in single sex education for 6 years and moved to a Co-Ed 2-and-a-half years ago I would like to comment on the experiences of my past and present peers as well as giving a more general statistical overview, in hope of answering the debate: are Co-Ed schools superior to single sex?

What do you think is better, Co-Education or single sex education?

“Definitely Co-Education. I think single sex gives you a warped perspective as to what the other sex is like. It makes platonic relationships between boys and girl feel abnormal despite the fact they are most often not romantic or sexual in anyway and creates gender barriers between young people.” – Hannah Brewer

“Co-Education. You hardly ever have a workplace with one sex, so why should we create this environment in schools?” – Georgina Iannucci

“Having been to mainly only a single sex school, I feel like I have missed out on a co-ed experience, as when I go into work there will be both men and women around me who I will have to work with. I have had a good experience at the single sex schools I’ve been to and am able to recognise the positives this has brought me. I have always felt quite relaxed in this environment and supported by my peers. I’m not sure if this would be different in a co-ed school, however I think my confidence could have been better improved if I had more of a co-ed experience.” – Celeste Baxter

“Co-Education because it is more reflective of real-life society, and a workplace.” – Ruth Charlton

“Co-Education is better because it prepares you for the real-life world. If you have been in single sex education your whole life you may find it harder to adjust to working with the other gender, as it is less normalised. Co-Ed school are especially beneficial for males. Treatment of females should be taught from a young age not when they go to university, and vice versa.” – Evelyn Miller

“Co-Education. Interaction with the opposite sex is an important lesson that should be taught from a young age in my opinion.” – Bronwen Roberts

“Single sex. I think there are more opportunities provided compared to Co-Ed.” – Rebecca Lawton

 

Studies show that a girl at a single sex school is 2.5 times more likely to take physics a-level than at a Co-Ed school. Why do you think this is?

“STEM subjects, and physics more specifically, is often seen less socially acceptable for girls to take as it is seen as a “boys subject”. I don’t think Co-Education itself pushes this narrative I think it more depends on the attitudes of students and differs from school to school. But I think all-girls’ schools don’t have this stereotype as a problem.” – Hannah Brewer

“You are more encouraged in a single sex. There is a safer work environment, and the idea physics is a “man’s subject” isn’t stressed to the girls, so they are more open to the option.” - Evelyn Miller

“There is less judgement surround STEM in all girls’ schools as opposed to Co-Education.” – Georgina Iannucci

“Co-ed perpetuates the idea physics is a boy’s subject. So, if you take away that idea, there are more opportunities for the girls.” – Ruth Charlton

“I think at an all-girls school there is more pressure to do a science.” – Bronwen Roberts

“Girls don’t feel as pressured into stereotypical subjects, like the humanities, and have the freedom to do what they want without judgement.” – Rebecca Lawton

 

Looking at it from an academic perspective, the top 20 schools for a-level results are made up of 9 single sex schools- despite single sex schools making up only 6.5% of schools across the country. Why do you think this is?

“I imagine perhaps the other sex could serve as a distraction. Students may be worrying more about social issues like relationships as opposed to studying.” – Hannah Brewer

“I don’t think this statistic truly reflects whether either are better as there are other factors involved. Many of those schools are also independent, selective or grammar school meaning academic attainment is already high before any internal factors affect it.” – Mithusha Muhilan

“There is less disruption in single sex class presumably meaning a better work ethic. But I think in turn this comes with more pressure.” – Evelyn Miller

 

What about extra-curricular activity? Is it better in single sex or Co-Ed?

“Extracurricular activities I think are something that can be very different depending on who you are surrounded by. Being at an all-girls school, I think extra-curricular activities should have involved people from other schools. Spending all day learning with other girls, I would have appreciated to mix with others for non-academic activities. This is because it can be very repetitive always being with the same people, and some sort of separation between academics and extra curriculars I think would be beneficial. I think it is so important to experience being around many different people, and if this is limited you are not as prepared for the future.” – Celeste Baxter

“Girls are more likely to play rugby or football in a single sex school as there is less fear of judgment… I certainly know if I started playing football in front of a load of boys, I would feel like I would be laughed at. I assume it is the same in term of more stereotypically “female” sports, like netball, for boys.” – Mithusha Muhilan

“I don’t think extracurricular is too effect from Co-Ed to single sex. Perhaps drama due to getting cast. Historically, plays include more male characters, and so boys may benefit more in a Co-Ed school than a girl, as in a single sex girls would have the opportunity to play male roles.” - Hannah Brewer

“I don’t think there is any difference. Most sports teams would still be segregated by gender and so there would be no change.” – Rebecca Lawton

“I think all boys school crush your creativity. Sport is far more acknowledged as an extracurricular over drama and music and if you are not good at sport finding friends is much harder.” – Edie Whittam

“I think at Co-Ed you have more extracurricular opportunities as girls are more inclined to play stereotypically boys sports as they are often being played around school. Making girls football and rugby teams more acknowledge.” – Ruth Charlton

 

Finally, do you think that Co-Ed and sing sex differ socially – for example the “pack mentality” and the “cliques”?

“I think in Co-Ed boys and girls seem less mean. There is a cliquey nature in all girls.” - Evelyn Miller

“Bullying is much overlooked in all-boys’ school. My dad went to an all-boys and he found homophobic and racists comments were far more normalised.” – Edie Whittam

“I believe single sex schools are much more cliquey. There’s already division between gender and it creates more division between pupils.” – Annie Gadd

“I think the stereotypical “pack mentality” is neutralised in Co-Ed, it is more civilised and less violent.” – Georgina Iannucci

“I think Co-Ed has the same “pack mentality” boys are labelled with. At my school I fell the pack mentality still very much exists, just on a smaller scale as there a less boys. Same with “cliqueness” just not on the same scale.”  - Hannah Brewer

 

It seems the main consensus is in favour of Co-Education, due to its similarity to a real-life workplace, but many agree single sex schools are preferable when it comes to breaking down stereotypes, and its extracurricular activities. Have any of your previous opinions been altered by this article?