This article by Nick Webster was published in ClickLiverpool on 19th February 2018.

It is a well-known fact that education plays a vital role in people’s life.

However, education can take so many different shapes and forms, and while some consider that the most important form of education is at school, people should become aware of the importance of education that kids receive at home. All these aspects allow children to develop their personality, skills and preferences. Choosing a school for your children is a hard task, but making the right choice allows them to grow into mature and confident adults.

As already mentioned, education can take different forms. People often talk about private schools, academies, primary schools, secondary schools or even home-schooling. It is key to remember that single-sex schools and mixed schools are available. Over the time research has shown that single-sex schools can have a lot of advantages. Some of these include a higher level of achievement, increased self-confidence and last but not least, empowerment to try a variety of new activities.

Relaxed Environment

Single-sex schools are known for a having a more relaxed environment. This advantage comes from the fact that the pupils don’t need to worry about impressing the other gender and they don’t have to fear they might embarrass themselves if they answer a question in class or take part in after-school activities. Therefore, students find it easier to speak their mind and act normally in class. It means that classes in single-sex schools are mostly free, dynamic and full of creative ideas and those are all amazing factors which lead to a great education.

Fewer Cliques

Often single-sex schools tend to have fewer cliques, especially when considering school education for girls. In this case, girls don’t have to worry about becoming popular in front of boys, which is quite common for secondary school students. It means that girls can concentrate on their studies and keep building their friendships with other girls. In other words, they are not competing against each other and school is then a place just for studying and friendly interaction. 

The Right Setting for Kids

A lot of students thrive in single-sex schools. Why? It is because the social pressures are a lot lower. Children are actively encouraged to develop at their own pace. It is an important aspect for both boys and girls because they usually tend to develop and mature at different stages. Furthermore, teachers understand how kids develop and adapt their teaching styles to different needs. Often boys tend to avoid taking part in art courses because they don’t want “uncool” associations. At the same time, girls try to avoid sciences and technology. However, this separation does not happen very often in a single-sex school environment.

As each child is different, it is a bit difficult to establish what the best learning environment is for kids. Yet there is no doubt that single-sex schools have a lot of advantages and opportunities.