Co-education
Historically, UK educational establishments were created only for boys, and girls tended to be given a more basic tution at home. Education has come a long way from a time when girls were lucky to gain an education or to be granted a place at university without being awarded the official degree.
The inclusion of girls is often a recent addition for many older institutions as they move away from boys to mix gender. Portland Place School was established over 25 years ago and has always offered a modern, holistic and broad curriculum shared by both boys and girls. Co-education is fundamental to our ethos and naturally woven into the culture of our school.
We believe boys and girls have much to gain from a co-educational schooling.
Diversity and Equality
The real world is a diverse mix of characters and cultures. Recognising and embracing this is critical and should be a tacit part of development. The different genders are a part of respecting diversity and equality and a co-educational landscape allows students to learn skills which will enable them to build healthy and natural connections throughout their lives.
Self Esteem
We aim to help every student become a confident and independent thinker. Respecting and valuing all voices builds social and emotional growth encouraging success in one another.
Collaboration
We believe that coeducation improves the ways students think, learn and collaborate. Navigating the social and emotional challenges experienced in the teenage years will create individuals with empathy and understanding of both genders.
Socialisation and communication
Co-education enriches the educational experience of our students. It brings families together, promotes mature social and emotional development, providing students with an advantage during their school years that they will carry throughout their adult lives.
Real world
At Portland Place we believe in a real-life education, and co-education fosters the understanding that everyone is an individual and boys and girls are equal. This will equip students for life beyond the classroom and with skills they will use into their future.
Don’t take our word for it
The ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, said that Co-education creates a feeling of comradeship. He advocated teaching of both the male and female sexes in the same institution without showing any discrimination in imparting education.
‘A strong reason for co-education is that separating children for a number of years means they will not be mixing and learning about each other.’ – Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge.
‘There are no overriding advantages for single-sex schools on educational grounds. Studies all over the world have failed to detect any major differences.’ – Professor Alan Smithers, director of education and employment research at the University of Buckingham.
