Mixed classes reap academic rewards

Mixed classes reap academic rewards and personal development

Cecilia, 16, is taking 12 GCSEs including further maths, geography, art, 3D design, Spanish and three sciences. She says, “The atmosphere at school is calm. It is a nice, happy environment. Everyone is friends with everyone, it’s not cliquey. Boys and girls are mixed in every friendship group and spend time together inside and out of school. I’ve not had any issues at school, but if I did there’s a lot of support available and staff are really approachable.”

Does Cecilia feel that having boys in class affects her academic performance?

“Boys don’t hold me back, I think they push us further. Boys help balance it out. I have a lot of friends who are boys and getting to know them as real people reduces stereotypes and teaches us that everyone thinks differently.  The mixed environment prepares you for the real world.”

“Our expectations of both boys and girls are high,” says Smith. “Boys are actively encouraged not to focus on the impact of negative role models, but to find positive examples of masculinity instead. At Thames boys are taught to respect women, and vice versa, at every stage of their development”.