School's single-sex lessons

Boys at the school seem to prefer to have their own class

A school has introduced single-sex English lessons to try to reverse the trend of boys performing worse than the girls in the subject.

Staff at Abersychan Comprehensive, near Pontypool, believe that boys learn differently to girls and the introduction of segregated lessons will help all pupils excel.

It is the first time it has been tried at the school and will be used for pupils from year seven - aged 11 - through to GCSE level.

Head of English Bernita Kelly said pupils and parents welcomed the initiative.

I suppose it's OK not having them with us because they are really annoying 11-year-old girl

"The pupils have come back with some very positive feedback," she said.

"The boys more so than the girls.

"The boys seem to prefer it and they are more enthusiastic about it.

Boys and girls still mix in other lessons and in the playground

"And some of the parents have said to me that they think it is more positive.

"We believe we are here for all abilities and the children mix in other subjects, they mix in the playground and in tutor groups and so it is only one very small part of their education that they are separated in," she said.

Gender gap

Her comments were echoed by the acting head teacher, Jeff Thomas.

"I think it is best that we do our best for all youngsters, male or female," he said.

"And as we all know the gender gap does catch up and in fact the boys over take the girls later in life and I think that will always be the case.

"If youngsters learn more readily in a particular situation then we should provide that situation," he added.

Pupils who have joined the school this term say they like the new way of learning.

One 11-year-old girl said: "I suppose it's OK not having them with us because they are really annoying."

One of her male classmates added: "I think it's better being put into separate classes to the girls because we boys are going to have fun."