Girls in single-sex schools have coped better with the pandemic, new research reveals.
Findings from this year’s Sunday Times Parent Power rankings show both private and state single-sex girl schools have topped the academic league tables.
The list is the first time anyone has compared this year’s A level and GCSE results with those of 2019 – the last time teenagers sat traditional exams before the pandemic.
Girls in the UK’s top single-sex schools appear to have coped better with the pandemic than boys in boys-only or co-educational schools.
Research also revealed many girls-only schools are setting up wellbeing centres, where girls can access psychological and counselling support as well as yoga and meditation.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, says: “These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned.
“It is also clear more attention is being placed on wellbeing and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes.
“League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point.
“We want to celebrate excellence. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work. We want our children to be well-nurtured and well-taught.
“In choosing a school parents are making one of the biggest decisions in their family life, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help.”
The top secondary school for academic performance in 2022 was named as Henrietta Barnett School in Hampstead, north London.
Secondary school of the year went to Wycombe High School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, while comprehensive school of the year was St Peter’s Catholic School in Guildford, Surrey.
The best independent school for academic performance was named as St Paul’s Girls’ School in Brook Green, west London, independent school of the year was named as Francis Holland School in Sloane Square, central London, and the International Baccalaureate school of the year was The Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith.
Parent Power is a survey of the country’s best schools released annually since 1993.
The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level (which is given double weighting) and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE.
The full guide can be purchased in the Sunday Times or accessed via its website.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here