Do girls perform better in an all-girls school?

We believe that an all-girls educational environment can improve performance, as well as encourage more girls to play sport for longer and to study STEM subjects. From the macro to the micro elements of the educational experience, an all-girls’ school has the specialist capability to tailor the journey towards the girl.

Discussing the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, The Telegraph claimed that girls-only education is uniquely at risk, suggesting that whilst changes in VAT affect boys’ schools also, there is a disparity when it comes to historical donations and endowments. This gap means girls’ schools are dealing with the challenge of VAT under different financial circumstances, as their structures traditionally rely more on fee income. A more recent report from The Telegraph also discussed how this threat to single-sex provision could undermine advances in girls' education (March 2025).

So, why are girls’ schools important and do girls perform better in a single-sex environment?

Sports

It’s no secret that physical activity in girls declines in early adolescence, but research suggests it looks a little different if you’re at an all-girls school.
The GSA with the Department of Education reported in 2024 that:

Girls in girls’ schools participate in 25% more curriculum PE than the national data.
Nationally, there is a 65% drop off in the time spent playing sport between KS4 and KS5, but in girls’ schools this is only 25%.

Another meta-analysis study found the most effective controls to combat this general drop off rate were within a school and ‘were girls-only’ conditions (meta-analysis study in Academic Pediatrics).

Academic

Girls achieve more when given a dedicated space to do so. Academic results are better (The Guardian; GSA; BBC) and the environment is more likely to lead to girls choosing traditionally male-dominated subjects such as engineering, technology, science and maths (Good Schools Guide). Additionally, research by the fft education data lab found that single-sex schooling may provide a boost to overall grades for female pupils more than male pupils.

STEM subjects

Compared with girls in co-ed schools, girls in girls’ schools are 2.7 times more likely to take further maths, and more than twice as likely to take physics and computer science A-levels (FFT Education Data Lab 2022). The UK government recognises there is a significant difference in the number of boys and girls who choose to study STEM subjects in school, and also that studying STEM A-levels can boost a young person’s earning potential when they leave education (UK Parliament Report 2022-2023). These statistics show the importance of widening access for girls in these subjects; something an all-girls independent school can provide.

Pastoral

Girls in a single-sex environment show higher levels of self-esteem and confidence as they can be themselves when in an environment free from gender stereotyping. Latest reports by the Department for Education show that boys are outperforming girls in science and maths, and academics have warned this could be due to a lack of confidence (BBC; The Guardian). However a girls-only environment boosts engagement in these subjects and reports higher levels of confidence, with brighter future opportunities presenting themself.

Future Opportunities

An investigation into the effects of an all-girls’ education on the transition to university and on career aspirations showed interesting findings (Higher Education Research Institute 2018) and a positive impact on performance and success in later life. Girls’ school graduates are more likely than their co-educated peers to be proactive with problem-solving and critical thinking, show a higher level of cultural competency and confidence in science, and are generally more academically engaged. Moreover, girls at all levels of achievement in single-sex schools receive a benefit from the single-sex school environment in terms of more ambitious career aspirations (Dr Cary M.Watson, Sex Roles: A journal of Research). Improving future prospects is a priority on a girls’ schools’ agenda, from academic to physical and mental wellbeing and everything in-between.

New GSA research highlights the girls' schools advantage in future success for women in STEM, with key findings as follows for girls' only schools:

Students are four times more likely to apply for mathematics degrees
40% more likely to apply for engineering
50% of alumnae have worked in STEM
1 in 6 have worked in finance, compared to 3% of women globally

Girls’ schools are more important than ever, providing as they do, a place in which girls find their voice, practise leadership and develop more mental toughness than their peers in co-ed schools. Here at St Swithun's, a flourishing independent day and boarding school for girls in Winchester, our vision is a world where young women see possibilities, not barriers. We develop independently minded young women who show courage, compassion, commitment and self confidence.

Find out more about us here.