Are there grammar schools for boys only or girls only?

Definition of Grammar Schools

Grammar schools are state-funded selective secondary schools in the UK that admit students based on academic ability, primarily through the 11-plus exam, with 163 remaining as of 2023 per DfE data. These schools focus on high academic standards from age 11 to 18. They differ from non-selective comprehensives by prioritising entrance exams.

The 11-plus exam typically tests verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. Students sit it at age 10 or 11, with places often limited to local catchment areas. Successful candidates join schools known for rigorous preparation towards GCSEs and A-levels.

Among these grammar schools, many operate as boys only, girls only, or co-educational. Single-sex options include historic boys' grammar schools like Manchester Grammar School and girls' grammar schools such as Chelmsford County High. Uniform policies are strict, with tailored dress codes for gender-specific schooling.

Entry follows a clear process: register for the exam, prepare through practice papers, and await results. Catchment priority gives edge to nearby residents, though some allow commuting. Parents often visit open days to assess the academic focus and extracurriculars like debating clubs or sports teams in single-sex settings.

Historical Context of Single-Sex Grammar Schools

Single-sex grammar schools originated in medieval times, with Manchester Grammar School (1515) as the oldest boys' example and North London Collegiate (1850) pioneering girls' education. These boys only and girls only institutions grew from endowments by churches and guilds. They focused on Latin and classics for elite training.

By the 19th century, girls' grammar schools emerged to match boys' opportunities. Local benefactors funded many, emphasising rigorous academics and moral education. This era saw gender-segregated education become standard in the UK grammar school system.

The 1944 Butler Act expanded access, creating more selective schools via the 11-plus exam. Post-war prosperity boosted all-boys schools and all-girls schools. Numbers peaked before the 1960s shift to comprehensive schools.

The 1960s Labour policies, including Circular 10/65, pushed for mixed-sex schools and reduced grammars. Yet, surviving single-sex grammar schools maintain traditions like uniform policies and academic streaming by gender.

Origins in the UK

The first grammar schools emerged in the 15th century, with King's School Canterbury (597 AD) evolving into modern form and Manchester Grammar School (1515) remaining boys-only for over 500 years. Winchester College (1381) set the model for selective admission and boarding. Local guilds often founded these historic boys schools.

In the 1520s, Royal Grammar Schools like those in Guildford and Worcester received royal charters. Elizabeth I refounded Westminster School (1560), blending classical learning with state support. These elite grammar schools prioritised boys' education in Latin and rhetoric.

The 19th century brought girls' grammar schools, with Cheltenham Ladies' College (1854) leading the way. The 1944 Butler Act spurred growth to hundreds of grammars by 1960. It emphasised entrance exams for high-achieving students.

• Medieval endowments shaped early boys' grammar schools.
• 19th-century reforms enabled girls only institutions.
• Post-1944 expansion created selective networks.
• 1965 Labour policies via Circular 10/65 cut numbers sharply.

Current Existence of Boys-Only Grammar Schools

Twenty-six boys-only grammar schools remain in England according to 2023 DfE data. These all-boys schools cluster mainly in Kent with eight, Buckinghamshire with three, and Trafford with three. They offer selective admission through the 11-plus exam and focus on rigorous academics.

These single-sex grammar schools often outperform national benchmarks in GCSE results. Parents value their gender-specific schooling for reducing distractions during puberty. Many feature strict uniform policies and strong discipline.

Geographic spread influences catchment areas and commuting options. Families near these hubs enjoy proximity to high-achieving environments. State grammar schools provide free places, while some offer bursaries for wider access.

Debate surrounds their role in the UK grammar school system. Supporters highlight tailored teaching for boys' learning styles. Critics question equity compared to co-educational schools.

Prominent UK Examples

Manchester Grammar School, with 1,650 pupils and 99% achieving 5+ GCSE grades 9-4, leads as an independent boys school charging around £18,000 annual fees. State-funded Queen Elizabeth's Barnet follows closely with strong A-level results. These top boys grammar schools earn top Ofsted ratings of Outstanding.

These schools emphasise STEM curriculum for boys alongside humanities and sports. Extracurriculars like debating clubs and music programmes build leadership. Alumni networks support transitions to elite universities.

Parents preparing for 11-plus exam should attend open days. Scholarships and bursaries aid entry. Research suggests single-sex education aids focus in competitive settings.

International Examples

Australia's Sydney Grammar School, a boys-only grammar founded in 1883 with 1,800 pupils, uses selective exams like the UK 11-plus and charges $40,000 AUD fees, achieving high ATAR scores. Germany's Gymnasium system offers single-sex options such as Heisenberg-Gymnasium in Munich, focusing on boys in STEM for the Abitur. These mirror traditional grammar schools with gender-separated learning.

• Sydney Grammar School (Australia): Selective entry exam, strong in academics and sports, day and boarding options.
• St Kevin's College (Melbourne): Catholic boys grammar, emphasises faith-based curriculum and extracurriculars.
• Gymnasium St Georg (Germany): Boys-heavy with Abitur focus, rigorous in sciences and languages.
• De La Salle College (Canada): Boys-only Catholic selective school, high performance in provincial exams, moderate fees.

Entry varies from ISE exams in Australia to entrance tests elsewhere. Performance metrics highlight academic streaming by gender. Fees range from state-funded to private models.

Families exploring international grammar models find tailored approaches to boys' education. These schools address puberty distractions through focused environments. Experts recommend visiting for cultural fit.

Current Existence of Girls-Only Grammar Schools

25 girls-only grammar schools operate in England according to 2023 DfE data. These girls-only grammar schools cluster primarily in Essex with five, Kent with four, and Greater London with four. They achieve 88% of pupils gaining 5+ GCSEs at grades 9-5, far above the 62% national average.

These selective schools focus on academic rigour through the 11-plus exam. Girls in these environments often show a slight edge in performance, as noted by the Sutton Trust with girls' grammars at +6% A*-A. Parents value the tailored approach in gender-segregated education.

State-funded options dominate, though some independent all-girls schools exist. They emphasise STEM and leadership, preparing pupils for top universities. Single-sex education here reduces distractions during puberty, fostering focus.

Enrollment relies on entrance exams like verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Catchment areas matter, with commuting common. Research suggests such settings suit girls' education by promoting collaboration.

Prominent UK Examples

St Paul's Girls' School with 950 pupils achieves 99.9% A*-A at A-level and charges around £25,000 in fees. This top independent girls-only grammar leads rankings. State peers like Chelmsford County High match closely with 98% 5+ GCSEs at 9-7.

These high-achieving schools prioritise STEM focus and leadership programmes. Girls excel in science labs and mathematics selective streams. Extracurriculars include debating clubs and music programmes tailored for female-only institutions.

Parents preparing for 11-plus exam should attend open days for girls only. Bursaries help access elite grammar schools. Alumni networks from these historic girls schools boost careers in leadership and arts.

Legal Status in the UK

Single-sex grammar schools remain legal under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 exemption (Schedule 3), upheld by a 2018 Court of Appeal ruling despite challenges from the Equality Act 2010. This framework allows boys only and girls only grammar schools to operate as state-funded selective institutions. Parents seeking gender-specific schooling can thus choose these established options.

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 grandfathered existing grammar schools, protecting their single-sex status from co-educational mandates. Around 163 such grammar schools hold exemptions, enabling them to maintain traditions like separate admissions via the 11-plus exam. This setup supports academic selection in a gender-segregated environment.

Recent policy reviews, including the 2016 review by Theresa May, rejected plans for new grammar schools but safeguarded current ones. The Department for Education's 2022 statutory guidance reinforces this position, balancing tradition with modern equality concerns. Families in catchment areas benefit from access to these high-achieving schools.

Controversy persists, highlighted by a 2021 petition with over 200,000 signatures calling for new grammars. Debates centre on parental choice versus comprehensive models, with single-sex options praised for tailored education. Examples like historic boys' schools such as Manchester Grammar School illustrate ongoing legal viability.

Educational Rationale for Single-Sex Grammar Schools

Single-sex grammars often show stronger GCSE results than co-educational schools, linked to tailored teaching that addresses puberty distractions and gender-specific learning styles.

Research suggests academic performance improves in single-sex settings, with a meta-analysis from the Education Endowment Foundation indicating modest progress gains for pupils in these environments.

Boys in all-boys schools thrive in competitive atmospheres, boosting engagement in subjects like STEM, while girls in girls-only grammar schools benefit from leadership-focused programmes that enhance university entry rates.

However, mixed evidence from international assessments like OECD PISA shows minimal overall gaps, highlighting the need for balanced views on gender-segregated education.

Curricula adapt to needs, such as sports and debate-heavy schedules for boys' grammar schools or collaborative humanities for girls' grammar schools, fostering focused development.

Trends and Future Outlook

Grammar school applications rose 12% in 2023 according to GL Assessment, with 68% parental support for expansion per YouGov 2022, despite Labour's historical opposition. The number of UK grammar schools remains stable at around 163, yet demand for the 11-plus exam continues to grow. Parents increasingly seek boys only grammar schools and girls only grammar schools for their selective admission processes.

Policy shifts show promise for single-sex education. A Conservative proposal in 2016 aimed to create new grammars but faced blockage, while the 2024 Reform UK manifesto backs fresh selective schools. This could revive traditional grammar schools, including all-boys schools like Manchester Grammar School and all-girls schools such as St Paul's Girls' School.

Future prospects include rising catchment area house price premiums near top grammars, driven by parental choice. A potential review under Starmer might reassess the grammar school system. Internationally, Australia expands selective boys' schools, offering models for gender-specific schooling in the UK.

The debate weighs social mobility benefits against elitism concerns. Boys' grammar schools and girls' grammar schools often feature tailored curricula, from STEM in all-boys environments to humanities in girls-only settings. Parents should attend open days boys only or open days girls only to gauge fit for their child's needs.