Friday Headlines

the weekly newsletter from EHS

News from Head of Prep

04 October 2024

Parents often ask me what the benefits are of a single-sex education. Numerous studies have shown that girls perform better in single-sex schools and, in my position, I am fortunate enough to be able to see this in action, on a daily basis, across the school from Nursery to Year Six.

I see that our girls respond extremely well to cooperative, discussion-led learning environments. I see that they relish collaborative, project-based activities and immerse themselves in sport in our single sex environment. However, I see that our role as the only all girls Prep school in Edgbaston is to challenge, not simply reflect and reinforce, the gender stereotypes that are still in evidence in many aspects of life today.

To that end, this week, I was delighted when a group of Year One girls came giggling down the corridor, with English books in hand, eager to share their English work with me and our Deputy Head, Academic, Mrs Aston. The girls had been working hard on demarcating sentences with capital letters and full stops and they had been aiming high. Not only was their work beautifully presented, with capital letters and full stops, but it also included subordinating conjunctions! Clear evidence that the girls relish the opportunity for a challenge, even as young as Year One!

Mrs V-C led a fantastic assembly on Thursday to celebrate National Poetry Day 2024. It was a wonderfully interactive assembly with the focus on the use of onomatopoeia. Our Reception girls eagerly gave examples of this creative writing tool, through the use of picture prompts, and I was delighted when groups of Year Five girls bravely shared collaborative performance poetry about robots. The confidence, creativity and excellence on display was breathtaking.

So, when asked what the benefits of a single-sex education are, it is with a warm smile that I answer the question… there are numerous benefits, but I truly believe that by creating a nurturing and exciting environment, we can empower our girls and give them confidence so that, when they move on at the end of Year Six, they believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs Hobson