The Maynard School - What are the benefits of an all-girls education?

[TheMaynardSchool]

As an independent all-girls school in the centre of Exeter, we love the fact that our students can "be themselves" in an environment that supports them to become well-rounded individuals, with friends for life and the confidence to embrace the challenges ahead. We are proud to be the regional experts in providing an excellent education made for girls and this year alone, we are:

BEST IN THE SOUTH WEST (BEATING ALL OTHER 433 STATE AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE REGION)*

RANKED 17TH IN THE COUNTRY **

TOP TEN BEST VALUE SCHOOL NATIONALLY* * *

100% OF STUDENTS PLACED AT FIRST CHOICE UNIVERSITY U13 DEVON HOCKEY CHAMPIONS U14 DEVON NETBALL CHAMPIONS ACHIEVING MUSIC AWARDS AT TOP LEVELS ACROSS THE SCHOOL

*Department for Education's Performance Tables

** Department for Education's Performance Tables

• • • The Telegraph's top 10 best value independent schools in the country

In September 2016 we are excited to be opening our new Pre-Prep Department, allowing us to provide a first-class education in a family-feel environment, to children from the age of 4 - 18 years old (Reception - Year 13).

We're here to answer any questions you may have on The Maynard School and we'll also be holding a live Q&A session with our team on Wednesday 17 February from 8-9pm, coinciding with #DevonHour on Twitter.

Until then, please post your questions below and find out how our school is #MadeForGirls in our latest film: bit.ly/MadeForGirls and register for our Discovery Day on Saturday 5 March from 9.30am - 12pm: bit.ly/DiscoveryMorning

Do you think that a single sex education is better at all ages?

Using what particular criteria does the DoE rank you "17th in the country"?

How many girls are there at the school in total, how long has it been running, and does The Maynard School have a reputation for educating successive generations of girls from the same families?

And although research suggests that girls do better academically in single-sex school environments, how do you ensure that Maynard School girls are socialised with boys?

Thanks!

Hi ClaireArrow, yes we do, both academically and pastorally. Girls' schools are expert at recognising the qualities of girls and understanding what makes them tick and how they learn right from age 4. This knowledge is built up over years of experience of teaching girls. We also have an in-depth of understanding and experience in girl-related pastoral issues, and support a 'can-do' philosophy - There is no subject area or activity of the school in which girls do not excel and there is no gender stereotyping of subjects. Younger pupils see the older girls as role models. Pupils at girls' schools are free to be themselves and grow up at their own pace - this is particularly noticeable in our junior girls.

Hi HaydonWomble, in answer to your questions:

The DfE ranks us 17th in the country for the percentage of students gaining AAB or above, with at least two of these subjects facilitating subjects at A-level. Facilitating subjects are those A-levels recognised by the prestigious Russell Group of universities as essential grounding. They include the traditional core of a rigorous education – Mathematics, Sciences, History, English, Geography, Modern Languages and Classics – and are also regarded as essential qualifications in many professional careers. You can read more here and there are also links to the DfE stats www.maynard.co.uk/news/2016/01/we-are-officially-the-best-in-the-west/

There are around 360 girls at the school and we have been open since 1658 - we're the third oldest girls' schools in the country. We have excellent links with our alumnae and yes, a lot of 'Old Maynardians' send their own children here.

We have strong links with other local schools and join in with many educational and extra curricular activities which involve the girls working with and socialising with boys eg Model United Nations, Ten Tors etc. As we're a city school there are lots of opportunities like this that our students can be a part of.

Do you focus on what are considered traditionally 'girls' sports, or do you offer sports like rugby, football and cricket too?

I went to an all girls school (that started accepting boys while I was there). Unfortunately there was quite a bad attitude to sports (the girls didn't consider it cool to be sporty) and we were never offered the opportunity to play anything other than netball, hockey, rounders and tennis. I got the shock of my life when I moved to the reverse - an all boys school that had started accepting girls - where sport was a major focus.

Hi, I went to a single sex school, which I found amazing with less pressure on appearance. We still had the odd social activity with a nearby boys school. Do you do the same? Thanks

Hi BeachBumMum2, we do offer tag rugby, golf, kick boxing (senior school) and we offer swimming, hockey, basketball, netball, gym and dance (among others) at all ages. We excel at basketball, often getting into the National finals each year. It's definitely 'cool' to be sporty at The Maynard! As we are a city school we are limited with open air facilities and so unfortunately don't offer football or cricket.

Hi Tinalou115, great to hear you loved your time at a single sex school, and yes you're right there is definitely less pressure on appearance. I think girls can learn to feel comfortable with who they are, free of the pressure to conform to stereotypical notions of how girls and boys should or should not be, look or act. There aren't really any boys-only schools close to us now, but we do interact with the other local co-ed schools in Exeter both socially and academically.

Ooh hello Maynards. Alumna here :)

Our nearby all girls school looks like it is going co-ed - is it possible to retain your all girls intake in the current climate and with so many schools changing strategy?

Hello AlmaMartyr! Great to see you!

Hi JJinbarnes, yes some single sex schools have gone co-ed in the last few years, however we believe that there is certainly a place for girls-only schools in the current climate. Being all-girls is what makes us unique in Exeter and the local area, and our school environment enables girls to be who they choose with confidence. It is still tough today to succeed in top careers as a woman and all girls schools encourage and fully expect girls to succeed in any career they choose. We won't be going co-ed!

Thank you to The Maynard School for hosting this Q&A.

Feel free to keep posting your questions in the coming weeks.

If you want to visit the school - you can find out more about the Discovery Day on 5 March here: www.maynard.co.uk/news/2016/01/register-for-our-next-discovery-morning/
and make sure you have a watch of the new #MadeForGirls video.

Thanks for your questions everyone. If anyone has any more questions or comments please leave them here, we've really enjoyed our chat!

Thankyou LocalEditorExeter!