Single-sex education in the UK has an undeniable cultural heritage, with its echoes in literature, film, and tradition. We find that today’s London families are primarily looking for a school that balances strong pastoral care with an excellent academic education. Plus a school that is tailored, as far as possible, to a child’s emotional and pastoral needs is the goal. So, for your family, would it be right to choose a single-sex or co-ed setting?
Most UK schools are co-educational
Many international parents are surprised to learn that the vast majority of UK schools today are co-educational, especially in the state sector. Virtually all single-sex schools in the state sector are either grammar schools or voluntary aided religious institutions. However, only 35 local authorities in England continue to run the 11+ (and broader grammar system) with a steady decline over the last decade. In the independent (private) sector, single-sex education still has a sizable foothold—especially among boarding schools and traditional London day schools.
At the primary level, in London, schools like St Mary’s School, Hampstead continue to offer a nurturing all-girls environment with a strong pastoral core, rooted in Catholic values. Some families are drawn to schools like this because they want a gentle setting where confidence can build without early social pressures. Others lean toward co-educational settings such as Devonshire House, where pupils mix from the outset, learning to collaborate across genders – something parents increasingly see as essential in preparing children for life in the real world. Both approaches can be excellent. It’s not about the gender mix. It’s about whether the school fosters warmth, curiosity, discipline, and joy.
Girls’ schools: confidence, STEM and space to lead
We do see some distinctive patterns with girls in single-sex settings—particularly at senior level and in boarding environments. Schools like Woldingham and St Mary’s Ascot, both established girls’ boarding schools with a Catholic heritage, consistently attract families looking for academic rigour paired with individual pastoral care. These schools create space for girls to lead, to speak up without self-consciousness, and to pursue subjects such as Physics and Further Maths without social bias. Benenden and Downe House also provide an excellent all-girls’ education. A study by the Girls’ School Association (2021) has shown that girls in single-sex schools are significantly more likely to pursue STEM subjects at A level compared to their peers in co-ed environments. Whether it’s confidence, role modelling, or culture, something about these schools helps girls step into spaces they might otherwise hesitate to enter. Research indicates that girls are more likely to speak up in class, in a single-sex environment, and are less likely to dumb down to impress boys.
But again – context matters. Not every girl flourishes in a single-sex setting. Some crave co-educational schools. Some simply find the right teacher and the right friends in a place that isn’t single-sex at all.
Boys’ schools: tradition, structure, and shifting norms
For boys, the picture is a little more complex. While there are still excellent boys’ schools in both the London day market, such as Haberdashers and St Paul’s, and in the boarding world, there has been a steady move toward co-education in recent decades. Several prestigious boys’ boarding schools – including Charterhouse and Winchester – have opened their doors to girls, especially in sixth form. Having had a co-educational sixth form for some time, Westminster is gradually becoming co-educational throughout the school.
Why? Because many educators and parents see the benefits of a mixed-gender classroom. The research is mixed, with proponents and critics of both systems taking strong stances on the relative pros and cons. There has been credible evidence suggesting that boys perform better in reading and communication when girls are present in class.
Some families still value the focused, distraction-free environment of a boys’ school – especially for boys who are easily swayed by peer dynamics or struggling to find confidence in their early teens. What matters most is the school’s approach to teaching boys, its governance and pastoral care.
Selectivity, school culture and geography
While the debate around single-sex versus co-educational schooling continues, it’s important to consider the context in which single-sex schools often operate.
The aforementioned 2021 analysis by the Girls’ Schools Association, based on Department for Education data, found that not only do girls in girls-only schools outperform their peers in co-educational settings, but boys in boys’ grammar schools also tend to achieve stronger academic results than boys in mixed schools.
However, this raises a critical question: is the advantage rooted in the single-sex format, or in the fact that many of these schools are either independent or selective grammar schools? Both models inherently filter for certain academic profiles—through either the 11+ exam or private school admissions—creating environments that are typically better resourced, more academically driven, and selective by design. In this light, it’s worth considering whether academic performance is more closely linked to selectivity, school culture and geography than to gender composition alone.
The practical side: logistics and family dynamics
In central London, school runs, sibling coordination, and long working hours all play a role in decision-making. If your daughter is thriving at St Mary’s Hampstead, does that make it easier or harder to send her brother to St Anthony’s—or harder still to a boys’ school across the city? We regularly advise families balancing siblings in different schools. It can work beautifully, but it does take planning and a clear sense of what you’re hoping to gain from the setup.
So, What Should Parents Prioritise?
Where a school is single-sex or co-ed is far less important than the school’s governance, pastoral care and how it meets the needs of your child. Is this a school where your child will be seen, known, and supported? Will they be stretched intellectually? Will they be supported emotionally and socially? Will they feel safe enough to take risks?
We have years of experience in helping families navigate the subtleties of UK schools. Please do contact us for expert and tailored advice.
