Why boys only?
Whilst of course it is important to look at children as individuals, there are a number of reasons why boys tend to thrive in a single-sex environment at prep school.
There are many academic benefits from a boys only environment and research has shown that girls tend to mature more quickly than boys in every way - academically, socially and physically. Many respected child psychologists regularly comment on this - as the well-known Australian, Steve Biddulph did when he spoke at Aldro. We give our boys the space, opportunities and support to develop at their own pace and the boys only setting in the classroom helps teachers to teach in a way that appeals to boys and which can be directly focused on their needs - a huge plus in their academic development.
In many co-ed schools certain activities are labelled as "girlie things that boys wouldn't do". People who visit Aldro and who have experience of a co-ed setting are frequently amazed at the range of things that boys here love doing and that boys simply steer clear of in many co-ed schools. Singing and playing stringed instruments (apart from the guitar) are musical manifestations of this; whilst the wonderful artwork - including beautiful paintings of flowers - are other things that are often commented on. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of school life in this category is reading: our boys love reading and it most definitely isn't branded as a "girlie" thing to do!
Finally, in an age when modern society squeezes childhood out of children so quickly, a boys-only environment helps to preserve childhood. Colleagues who have taught in co-ed schools love the fact that the boys here are not under pressure to "impress the girls" and our 12 and 13 year olds are still very happy to play chase games, hunt for conkers, play on our school fort, get muddy – in fact do all the things that boys love doing. Of course our wonderful secluded setting is an additional benefit here, but it is great to see the boys having so many opportunities to be boys which allows them to mature at their own pace.
