One of the first questions a parent asks themselves when considering which school to send their child to is often “Should I send my child to a mixed (co-educational) or single sex school?” It is an extremely important question and one which should be considered in depth.
The data suggests that there is no consensus to prove that either model is better for academic attainment; however, the reality is that the top schools in this country in terms of academic results are single sex. So why is this?
The answer is simple: It is the combination of a tailor-made curriculum to individual learning styles and strengths, inspiring teachers, coupled with a healthy injection of ‘Make it Happen’ approach. “A happy child is a successful child”. If you know what lights that spark within a child and deliver it in an environment where they feel comfortable and confident, then the rest is easy.
Does choosing a single sex or mixed school make a difference academically?
As for academic attainment, there is no consensus of evidence to prove that either model is better than the other. The real difference between mixed and single sex education is the pupil’s self and social development. This is what will make the greatest impact and could be the difference between a child who flourishes and one who struggles under the pressures of a mixed sex environment or one which is not tailored to his / her individual needs. Knowing what inspires boys as individuals, understanding how they learn and giving them the support and space to flourish is the key to academic success at Parkside.
This is why Parkside is a single sex school: we understand the importance of providing the optimum environment for boys to grow socially, emotionally and academically. We are able to deliver this through our talented and dedicated staff team who all place the boys at the centre of everything we do.
Understanding the ethos of a school in important
Our aim is to make sure you, as a family, can relate to our ethos, and we believe this should be at the forefront of your mind when choosing the right school for your child. At Parkside, the management, teaching and culture of our School is integral in delivering the right setting for boys to become the best version of themselves. We pride ourselves on being able to relate intrinsically to our families, community and of course the boys through effective and regular transparent communication and support.
Investigating how any school deals with peer pressure will give great insight into their ethos. Observing how older children interact with their younger peers will tell you what you need to know in the selection process. The older boys at Parkside become positive role models for the younger boys which means that they can identify with them, which can become lost in a co-educational environment. Parkside’s solid House system and buddy scheme allows for charming friendships to blossom across the year groups which last throughout their journey here and beyond.
What does the research say?
All too often, boys are perceived as tough and lacking the compassion which girls are perceived to have in abundance. However, at Parkside, there is no need for boys to put on a tough-guy façade and actually their empathy is significantly enhanced as a result. General manners and gentlemanly etiquette are expected and instilled at a young age which means that the boys naturally develop empathy and a solid moral compass. Parkside School develops young gentlemen.
Some studies show that boys become more confident in an environment where they aren’t compared to smarter girls. Others conclude that boys develop more self-confidence through adolescent years away from the scrutiny of girls. Parkside offers a sense of freedom and a climate where the pressures of academia, sporting success and ‘girls’ are eased by the emphasis on mental wellbeing and emotional intelligence. Every boy has a voice and needs the opportunity to use it freely without competing with sometimes stronger and more persistent girls’ voices.
Therefore, we believe that academic success is not dependent on a school offering a single sex environment, but on the offer of an environment which knows what inspires boys to develop their courage, confidence and character within. It is not the fact that boys / girls thrive in single sex schools because of single sex attainment, but because the social, educational and environmental factors provide a tailored platform for success.
https://www.parkside-school.co.uk
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