Karen Wilson examines the single-sex issue and finds major changes are taking place.
 The traditions of independent education are changing and the numbers of single sex schools have dwindled in recent years. Ending decades of tradition, a number of schools in the region have recently taken the decision to enrol pupils of the both sexes in a bid to move independent education into the 21st Century. There is still much discussion as to which type of institution has the greater benefits, but only you as a parent can know which school will suit your child. According to Don Hutton, regional director of ISIS (North), the beauty of independent schools is that they offer variety, and it's very much down to personal choice. He says: "There are still many junior schools which cater for boys or girls only - and many parents are happy to go down the single-sex route at primary level. When your child reaches the secondary stage, however, you may feel it a natural and healthy option for your child to mix with the opposite sex. Other parents may see this as a distraction." We asked two local head teachers for their view: --------------------------------------------------------- Phil Garner outlines the advantages of a single-sex education for boys: There is considerable research evidence that indicates that a significant number of children benefit from a single-sex education. The DfES has undertaken research into methods for improving the academic performance of boys in our schools and it indicated four main causes of boys' underachievement:
The ways boys are taught in the classroom.
The lack of focus on the individual needs of boys in terms of mentoring and target setting.
The way learning is organised in a school.
The classroom environment not allowing boys the opportunity to work towards the aims and aspirations of the school.
The fact that boys are performing less well in national tests than girls, that they demonstrate a lack of motivation in some schools and that the new curriculum is unfriendly to boys and affects their approach, actions, effort and attainment is a cause for real concern. The advantages of a boys' only school are that we can:
See the world through boys' eyes.
Show admiration for their many positive qualities.
Reward their enthusiasm and vigour.
Relate what we teach to their interests.
Set stretching but achievable targets.
Use a variety of activities and teaching methods.
Devise learning that involves much physical activity.
Engage all boys in dance, drama, music, cookery.
Support the best practice in boys' education.
Improve educational achievement for all boys.
Create a school where boys can excel.
It is important that the school you choose offers plenty of opportunities for boys to meet girls in educational and recreational settings, to let both groups learn from each other and benefit from similar and different experiences. Boys and girls must address areas of learning they find more difficult. Communication, team work, collaboration and co-operation are skills that boys find more difficult than girls and a boys-only school can ensure that boys address these, and other, key life skills. Phil Garner is head of Newcastle School for Boys. --------------------------------------------------------- Dr John Hind argues the case for a combination of mixed and single-sex teaching: This is a recurring question and the simple answer is that it depends - on your child, their personality and ability. The key thing is to focus on your son or daughter and only you can decide what is best for them. However at Dame Allan's we have a unique answer. The diamond structure of Dame Allan's Schools is unique in this region. It enables Dame Allan's to give girls and boys all the academic benefits of a single sex education combined with the social benefits of co-education. The diamond structure, with its co-educational junior department, single sex Boys' and Girls' Schools from the age of 11 to 16, culminating in the co-educational sixth form, provides an outstanding opportunity for academic, social and personal development. It allows pupils to develop academically and emotionally at their own pace. Research into different learning styles suggests that single sex education between 11 and 16 is valuable and means staff can tailor teaching to boys' and girls' differing patterns of learning. That is not to say that pupils live in monastic isolation between 11 and 16. The diamond model allows boys and girls to share in drama, music, dance and simply socialising in a way that purely single sex schools do not. A co-educational sixth form allows students to experience a working environment they will face in their adult lives, at a time when the learning differences are evening out and prepares them for the transition to Higher Education. The Department for Education and Skills reports that it found major improvements were made in a mixed school that swapped to single-sex lessons, especially in subjects where gender was leading to sharply different results such as modern languages for boys and maths for girls. Both boys and girls did better and the gender gap usually evident at GCSE was not observed. The diamond structure is not simply a matter of gender. The Boys' School and the Girls' School each have their own pastoral system designed to create a caring and supportive framework for your child's development. We have been educating boys and girls together, but separately, for over three hundred years. The next three hundred years will hold many challenges, but I am confident they can be met by a school sure of its purpose and ready to adapt to meet those challenges without losing sight of what makes Dame Allan's special. Dr John Hind is Principal of Dame Allan's Schools. | 
Northumberland
