GSA places great emphasis on evidence-based research, so that we can be a credible voice on girls’ education. Providing easy access to current research is a key benefit of GSA membership. Below you can view our latest featured research as well as links to our various categories within the research library (MemberZone Login required).
Featured research
Academic Achievement in Girls’ Schools
Attainment & Education Policy
The most recent Department of Education (DfE) data on GCSE and A-Levels results have been published. Girls in girls’ schools consistently have higher entries in STEM subjects at A-Levels than girls in co-ed schools — for example, as much as 2.7 times as likely to take Further Maths. Girls in girls’ schools also continue to outperform girls in co-ed schools at both GCSE and A-Levels, by comparing their weighted attainment 8 scores and average point score respectively. Read GSA’s full analysis below.Â
Almost half of voters (48%) disagreed that private schools should be exempt from VAT
Independent Sector
This is more than double the one-in-five (22%) that agreed with the statement, according to a report by Civitas surveying British adults’ views on private schooling. Half of respondents (52%) disagreed with the abolition of private schools, while 15% agreed.
Secondary teacher recruitment only reached half of its target
Teachers and Recruitment
One-in-three teachers (36%) stated they intended to leave teaching in the next 12 months, a 44% increase on the previous year, according to a new report on teacher labour market by NFER. The report also predicts that 10 out of 17 secondary subjects are at risk of underrecruiting in 2024/25, particularly business studies, physics, music and computing.
World Happiness Report: Young people in the West becoming unhappier
Well-being
The UK dropped one spot to the 20th in the world’s happiest countries, according to the World Happiness Report 2024 by Oxford University and the UN. Those born before 1965 are, on average, happier than those born since 1980.
Gender disparities in physical activity start at six months
Girls Focused
Experts stated in a report from the Women and Equalities Committee that girls are moving a lot less than boys and constrained by unhelpful stereotypes of what constitutes “suitable” play starting at a young age. Lower enjoyment of school PE, higher dropout rates during puberty, anxieties associated with PE sports kit and periods are noted as the main barriers to girls’ participation.
Children's stories reflect impact of world conflicts
Curriculum and Teaching
The Oxford University Press analysed entries to the BBC’s 500 Words short story competition from children aged five to eleven, which found that many young authors imagined the experiences of children caught in the fighting or as child refugees attending British schools. Last year’s word of the year, “coronavirus,” was also a popular theme, along with AI and royalty.
Apprenticeships as a pathway into physics
Higher Education
There are currently 130 “physics related” apprenticeships in the UK, according to a report by the Institute of Physics and Shift Learning. England has the highest ratio of women joining physics apprenticeships. One-in-five (21%) of apprenticeships new starts in England are women.
Movement in lessons reduces children's waist-to-height ratio by 8%
Curriculum and Teaching
Children’s sport participation also increased by 10% in the academic year for schools that integrated standing and walking in lessons, according to a study by University College London. The study investigated the effect of reducing sedentary time, rather than increasing exercise. Children with a higher baseline waist-to-height ratio showed the greatest improvement, regardless of socio-economic status, age or gender.
Research library categories
Our research library is a vast collection of curated and relevant research which covers areas such as teachers and recruitment, well-being, higher education and more. Our aim is to provide members with access to valuable resources and analysis of the latest research findings, both those related to girls’ schools and education more generally. While most are open-access reports, the library offers a summary for members, showcasing those vital topics for educators in girls’ schools.
You will need a MemberZone login to access the research library – contact the GSA team if you have any difficulties logging in.
