The Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) has unveiled a comprehensive report examining the impact of girls-only schools on young women’s personal and professional development. ​

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Donna Stevens, GSA Chief Executive, presented the full findings to more than 150 headteachers at the Association’s Annual Conference for Heads. The report, created in partnership with ImpactEd, titled: “Investigating the Role of Girls-Only Schools in Preparing Students for Their Future Endeavours,” offers valuable insights into the benefits and areas for future development in single-sex education for girls. This collaborative study into all girls’ schools is the most comprehensive survey into women and girls’ experiences of girls’ education to-date, and spans several generations of girls’ schools’ pupils and graduates to provide important data through the intergenerational perspective.

As the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) celebrates its 150th year, it surveyed all those involved with girls’ schools: pupils, teachers, alumnae, and parents through tailored surveys to share their experiences of girls’ schools to more deeply understand their views and to shine a light on the benefits that same-sex education offers to young women.

Research Methodology: The study involved surveys from 560 teachers, 1128 parents, 1425 alumnae, 4679 secondary school pupils, and 868 primary school pupils from 165 girls-only schools in the UK and Australia. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of open-ended responses.

Key Findings Include:

  1. Girls’ schools designed for girls, which teachers place great value on
    • 80% of teachers agree that teaching methods in girls-only schools are tailored to girls’ needs and preferences. ​
    • Female role models are prominently highlighted, with 91% of teachers and 82% of parents affirming this focus. ​
    • These were the top two things teachers value most  about working in a girls’ school, with 97% of teachers surveyed having experience of both girls’ and co-ed schools / boys’ schools.
  2. Academic Excellence and Comfort: ​
    • 68% of parents choose girls-only schools for their daughters due to their reputation for good academic performance.
    • 61% of parents further believe their daughters are more comfortable in a same-sex school compared to co-educational settings. ​
  3. Career Support and Future Success:
    • 84% of parents feel their children are empowered to access information about all subjects equally, aiding informed future choices. ​
    • Girls’ schools’ alumnae: from volunteers to university students, to those in full time employment, believe their girls’ school experience positively influenced their life path.
    • Girls at girls’ schools are financially aware, financial stability was the top ambition of the girls surveyed.
  4. Areas for Improvement:
    • While extra-curricular activities and career talks are common, more work experiences and alumnae role models would be welcomed.​
    • Teachers believe the impact of social media is particularly pronounced with girls and called for more psychoeducational training to support young women.

Donna Stevens, GSA CEO said: “This research gives voice to every generation, providing the fullest expression of the female experience in girls’ schools from the youngest of girls in school to the oldest of alumnae. I’m proud to bring together all these voices and viewpoints from every kind of girls’ school, unifying state and independent girls’ schools’ experiences. The Girls’ Schools Association has always championed young women and places of learning to serve their interests best. In our 150th year it is right our association continues to examine and push for ever better educations for girls, so that they can have the best opportunities in the future.”

GSA has always honoured those who have fought for girls’ education rights. Their legacy inspires the Association to this day. Pioneers like Francis Buss and Dorothy Beale the founders of what has become GSA today; trailblazers like Sophie Bryant who overcame barriers to become the first woman to earn a BA, BSc and Doctor of Science; and alumnae that include modern day activists such as Malala Yousafsai, and Soma Sara of Everyone’s Invited.