THE headteacher of a leading Worcestershire girls’ school does not believe girls-only schools are on the way out, despite the fact that a recent publication shows that girls’ schools ratings hit their lowest percentage in 24 years.

In the Good Schools Guide, girls’ schools accounted for only 13 per cent of the leading establishments in their ratings – the lowest proportion since the list started in 1986.

Patricia Woodhouse, headmistress of Malvern St James, said there is no indication that girls-only schools are on their way out.

“Independent schools are rationalising and re-inventing across the board; it is not something reserved to girlsonly schools,” she said.

“However, it is simply not our experience that singlesex education for girls is on the way out.

“Parents are still looking for the style of education we offer their daughters and in ever greater numbers.

“Independent schools such as Malvern St James are chosen by parents not only for the academic and sporting excellence we can offer their daughters but because all that we do here is 100 per cent dedicated to promoting girls’ capabilities.

“Every girl matters here and has a strong sense of selfworth.”

Mrs Woodhouse said girls at the school are not segregated from boys during their time at school but said parents choose single-sex education because it is “liberating rather than limiting”.

She said: “The self-assured, articulate young women educated at single-sex schools around the country are far from stereotypical; they are comfortable in their own skin and will not be pigeonholed.

“I believe they leave better equipped to put themselves forward for the risks and challenges within a fastchanging, culturally and socially diverse world; not least choosing to be both career women and mothers and having to manage roles to an extent that few men must do.”