When it comes to education, myths about all-girls schools still linger. Some parents wonder if single-sex schooling limits opportunities, competitiveness, or social development. At Adcote School, we know the truth: all-girls education unlocks potential, builds confidence, and prepares young women to thrive academically and personally.
Here’s how the data and our experience at Adcote bust the most common myths:
Myth 1: Girls Schools Are Too Restrictive
Fact: At Adcote, girls explore, lead, and take risks without the pressure of gender stereotypes. Research shows that 87% of students in girls’ schools feel their opinions are respected, compared to just 58% in co-educational settings. From STEM to arts, debating to sports, our students flourish in an environment that celebrates curiosity and individuality.
Myth 2: Girls Don’t Excel in STEM or Competition
Fact: Girls at all-girls schools are breaking barriers in science, technology, engineering, and maths. Graduates from girls’ schools are 6 times more likely to pursue degrees in Maths, Science, or Technology, and entry into Computer Science is steadily rising. Research also shows girls in single-sex schools are 2.7 times more likely to take Further Maths and more than twice as likely to take Physics or Computer Science A-levels than girls in co-ed schools. At Adcote, our students tackle STEM subjects with confidence, curiosity, and ambition, proving that gender is never a limitation. From robotics and coding to physics and engineering challenges, girls at Adcote lead, innovate, and excel.
Myth 3: All-Girls Schools Are Academically Average
Fact: Academic outcomes speak for themselves. At Key Stage 2 (Primary), 66% of girls met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to 59% of boys. Girls particularly excel in reading (78%) and writing, with a 12-point advantage over boys. In maths, boys slightly outperform at the expected standard (74% vs. 73%), but girls are performing strongly at higher levels. At Key Stage 4 (GCSEs), girls continue to outperform boys across all headline measures, and the gap for achieving grades 5+ in English and maths narrowed to just 3 percentage points in 2025. Globally, women are significantly more likely to progress to higher education by age 19 (54% vs. 40%).
Myth 4: Girls Schools Don’t Prepare Students for Life
Fact: At Adcote, education is about more than exams. Our girls develop leadership, resilience, and global awareness, benefiting from a supportive environment that encourages self-expression, collaboration, and independence. With over 230 girls’ schools across the UK, single-sex education provides a proven pathway for academic success and personal growth.
Myth 5: All-Girls Schools Are Outdated
Fact: Adcote is forward-thinking and modern. With a cutting-edge curriculum, leadership programmes, and creative opportunities, our students are equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. Girls leave Adcote not just academically prepared, but confident, ambitious, and ready to shape the world.
Why Adcote?
Choosing Adcote means giving your daughter more than excellent academics. It’s a place where she will discover her voice, build lifelong confidence, and unlock limitless potential. Our environment proves that girls don’t just succeed—they soar.
Book a visit or virtual tour today and see how Adcote empowers girls to lead, achieve, and thrive.
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