Perhaps I could be accused in this brief message of preaching to the converted.
Anyhow let’s just go there.
You would have had to be living under a rock and been completely cut off from all forms of media this year (it actually sounds quite appealing doesn’t it) to have missed the continuing debate in relation to the perceived value of boys’ schools.
I have a view on this whole situation.
You might forgive me for having a perspective on reading that boys perform better academically in co-educational environments and that the boys are more well-rounded, well-mannered and respectful humans when educated in those co-educational settings.
You might forgive me for having a view on this because unlike many of those offering commentary, I have firsthand substantive experience through being a student in both a co-educational setting and a boys’ school and in addition having taught in and led co-educational schools for 30 years in the public education system and being Headmaster of a boys’ independent school for over 8 years.
So yes, I do have a view.
Firstly, it's my view that if you ranked the different factors which really impact on a quality education, (in the broadest definition of the term education including academic and pastoral outcomes); the gender of fellow students in a particular setting would be ranked at least by me as having little or no importance.
Factors ranked more highly in impacting on their contribution to a quality education in my opinion would be teacher quality, school focus, safety and good order for staff and students, a kind and generous ‘climate’ and setting and maintaining a culture of high expectations, continuous improvement and widespread acknowledgement of student achievement and success.
It’s as simple as this.
Girls’ schools can be great schools. Boys’ schools can be great schools. Co-educational schools can be great schools. I have experienced these schools firsthand.
All three ‘models’ can also be represented by poor schools. I have experienced these schools firsthand also.
A good school understands what it most needs to do and it dedicates itself to the needs of the students. Different students with different needs dictate a different school wide approach.
Perhaps this sounds a little simplistic where the general view is that education is complex.
‘Doing’ education well is complex but the overarching intent and beliefs underpinning good education are simple.
Ipswich Grammar School is a high-quality school, not because it’s a boys’ school but because our place is dedicated and committed to the needs of our students – the boys.
161 years and going strongly.
Richard Morrison
Headmaster