The Research: Evidence Supporting All-Girls Schools
The advantages of all-girls schools are undeniably significant and the need for them has never been more important. Research consistently highlights the positive impact of single-gender education in terms of resilience, problem-solving and leadership skills; and studies by the GSA and the GDST also conclude that girls demonstrate significantly higher levels of confidence, engagement in sports, and academic achievement in all-girls schools than their peers in co-educational environments.
With confidence as the bedrock of a student's educational journey, empowering them to overcome challenges and seize opportunities is critical to future success and good mental wellbeing. Girls in all-girls schools report to experience increased self-confidence which inspires greater participation in class, willingness to take academic risks and peruse a wider range of subjects and activities.
Personal Testimony: Experiencing the Impact of All-Girls Education
Reflecting on my personal and professional experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of confidence within an all-girls education environment, and as my daughter heads towards the end of her first year at Queen’s I can see just how significant the impact of a Queen’s School education is. Surrounded by supportive peers and mentors, girls at Queen’s flourish into self-assured young women, fearlessly pursuing their passions and dreams. For me, what’s amazing is the fact that, when in this environment, girls don’t have self-limiting beliefs and refreshingly don’t realise that there is a glass ceiling.
Empowerment Through Freedom: Pursuing Passions in an All-Girls Environment
In all-girls schools, girls are provided with the freedom and confidence to learn among peers, fostering an environment where they feel empowered to pursue any interest and aspire to any goal. By excelling in all subjects including science, maths and technology, they actively break down societal barriers instead of reinforcing them. By the very nature of our School, all leadership roles and positions of responsibility are occupied by girls at Queen’s. I recognise that true equality has yet to be achieved across society, and therefore, it is crucial to empower the young women and girls of today through high-quality education that enables them to create a more equitable world for future generations.
Breaking Down Stereotypes and Creating a Supportive Environment
A report from the Department for Education found that girls in single-sex schools held greater optimism about “non-stereotypical careers” such as engineering, medical sciences, business analysts and systems design. Without gender-based distractions, stereotypes, and biases, evidence shows that girls feel more encouraged to collaborate and encourage each other, challenging and propelling themselves further than they may have been able to do in a co-educational school. There's a deep sense of sisterhood and support in an all-girls setting like Queen's. This creates a safe space for addressing and preventing bullying. We actively nurture positive relationships, offer conflict resolution resources, provide emotional support, and ensure issues are dealt with swiftly.
Opportunities for Growth and Leadership
All-girls education fosters confidence by providing a nurturing environment free from the pressures and stereotypes often found in other settings. At Queen’s, our pupils are encouraged to authentically express themselves, knowing their voices will be heard and valued. Whether it be as part of the Head Girls' Team or Head of House, or indeed as chair in one of the School Parliament Committees – our girls are given every opportunity to develop and grow. In the classroom, the focus shifts from competition to collaboration, fostering sisterhood and solidarity among pupils. Girls feel empowered to take academic risks, ask questions, and challenge themselves, supported and celebrated for their achievements. As a result, they excel academically, as well as in their personal development.
Mentorship and Role Models: Guiding Girls Towards Success
Outside the classroom, co-curricular activities like sports, clubs, and leadership roles further nurture confidence. Mentorship programmes with our strong alumni network offer guidance and encouragement from successful female role models, giving our girls a head start in what we all know is a very competitive market. All-girls education not only offers girls increased chances to assume leadership positions within the school community, but also establishes confidence and female leadership as a standard. This facilitates the cultivation of essential skills like public speaking, teamwork, and decision-making. Furthermore, many all-girls schools feature predominantly female leadership teams, further solidifying the presence of women in senior roles and promoting a culture of women supporting women.
Championing the Growth of Confident Young Women
By nurturing confidence, we equip our girls with the resilience and self-assurance needed to thrive. At Queen’s, we are dedicated to empowering confident young women who are ready to make a positive impact on the world. So, my parting words are this, as parents, let's champion our daughters' growth, creating a generation of strong, empowered leaders who lead with confidence and compassion.
Joanne Keville
Headmistress