In extolling the virtues of a single-sex school, Boys Division student Will and Girls’ Division student Emma expand on their experiences at Bolton School.
William Malley – Bolton School Boys’ Division Sixth Form Student
After being part of a single-sex school for the past seven years, I can say that it has several important advantages. Firstly, being part of a single-sex school means all students have equal opportunities regardless of academic ability or ability in sport, allowing students to participate in a plethora of activities within the school.
At Bolton School, there are over ten extracurricular activities available for students, providing them the opportunity to develop skills in areas they never thought about doing before. It gives students the confidence to try out new sports and not fear the negative result if their attempt isn’t as successful as they would wish; this allows students to improve their abilities in new areas without being compared to girls in their year.
It also removes any outdated ideas of certain subjects being suited for certain genders. For example, historically it was believed that males were better at science and mathematics-based subjects, whilst females were believed to be stronger in areas such as English. Removing females from the working environment allows boys to travel at their own pace without being compared to their female counterparts.
Furthermore, I believe attending a single-sex school allows boys to more freely express any concerns they have without fear of being bullied. The term ‘girly’ becomes derogatory when describing a boy expressing his feelings or reporting a serious incident within the school. According to the 2017 Public Health research, “girls were twice as likely as boys to report being bullied online”. Being part of a single-sex school makes boys more likely to report incidents as there is less fear of being referred to as ‘girly’ as the only students studying in the school are boys.
Being in an all-boys school pushes students to reach their full potential. The minds of boys and girls work differently. By having an education that is focused on boys, it is targeted at the way boys work. By adapting to an education that is set up to be more beneficial in aiding male education, it means that boys have a greater chance of succeeding in all aspects of life, not just their exams.
In addition, removing girls from school life allows boys to be more themselves; they aren’t distracted trying to impress their female peers, which may distract from their learning. Secondly, they aren’t embarrassed about what girls might think of their class participation, therefore they are more likely to get fully involved in lessons which will ultimately aid them in the long run as they have a greater knowledge of not just their academic subjects but also how to act in public.
Emma Taylor- Beardsworth- Bolton School Girls’ Division Sixth Form Student
I believe attending a single-sex school has been fundamental in helping to grow confidence, develop individual character and allow stronger friendships to develop throughout our time in education.
Not only has it allowed me to focus more deeply on my studies in an inclusive environment, but it has also allowed me to thrive as an individual. Learning in a single-sex school motivates students to excel in all subjects, whether that be mathematics and science, or humanities and the arts, whilst simultaneously breaking free from traditional gender stereotypes, by empowering students to succeed in the subjects they are most passionate about.
Furthermore, these learning environments are free from distractions and more supportive in tailoring to a student’s needs, creating a comfortable, equal and pleasant atmosphere to work in. Moreover, many can benefit from learning at a single-sex school through developing social skills, discovering new friendships and overall becoming a well-rounded individual, by learning in a supportive environment alongside those whose friendships will continue throughout school life.
