Girls' boarding schools bringing choice to the UK educational mix

Recent research shows that parents value the choice that independent girls’ boarding schools bring to the educational market in the UK.

The findings from the independently conducted research show that, for 88 per cent of parents who choose girls’ boarding schools for their daughter, the absence of boys plays a fundamental role in their final decision. Parents cite the following reasons (in order of priority) for choosing a girls’ boarding school:

1.No distractions from boys
“I think girls help boys, but I’m not sure that having boys in the class helps girls.”
“The girls feel more relaxed.”
“She had a huge confidence boost when she arrived and didn’t have to worry about her appearance.”

2.Academic benefit of a single-sex environment
“We wanted an all-girls school because she’s good at sciences.”
“Boys tend to take up a lot of the teacher’s attention. It’s better for girls to be educated in a single sex environment.”
“Girls do well when they’re allowed to take responsibility for things – whereas boys tend to monopolise the leading roles in whatever they’re doing.”
“Educationally, it’s statistically better with all girls.”

3.An element of protection from the dangers / bad influences of the urban world

“I felt strongly about single sex. It’s a safer environment.”
“Why single sex? Because it gives them a longer childhood.”

The research also shows how girls’ boarding schools are meeting the challenges of the current marketplace. Today’s parents are more demanding in terms of what they want from boarding and schools are answering this by increasing the depth and attractiveness of their weekend activity programmmes and introducing a range of flexible boarding options. The decline in boys-only schools also presents girls’ boarding schools with the challenge of finding innovative ways to present appropriate opportunities for girls to mix with boys as part of the maturation process.

Wendy Griffiths, who chairs the Girls’ Schools Association boarding committee, said:

“This research confirms much of what the Heads of girls’ boarding schools have thought for some time. Parents are looking for a school that recognises the individuality of their daughter and as a consequence there needs to be a broad choice available as one size definitely doesn’t fit all. Girls’ schools have a vital role to play in offering parents and their daughters that degree of choice in how they are educated.”

The independently conducted research was commissioned from Mungo Dunnett Associates by 47 independent girls’ boarding schools whose heads are members of the Girls’ Schools Association. A total of 250 parents were interviewed anonymously.

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