St Mary’s School, Cambridge welcomes the expansion of provision in the independent sector in Cambridgeshire afforded by The Stephen Perse Foundation’s decision to become co-educational throughout.
St Mary’s is always pleased to learn of new educational opportunities in the city and we hope the transition from single-sex to co-educational is a successful one for The Stephen Perse Foundation.
We remain convinced that there is a place for all girls’ education, with the benefits of this widely acknowledged for many years.
Charlotte Avery, Headmistress, said: ‘We wish our near neighbours the very best as they prepare to become fully co-educational throughout the school.
‘I have no doubt that the decision by the Stephen Perse Foundation will prompt further debate regarding the place of single sex education in the UK.
As the only all girls’ school in Cambridgeshire at both junior and senior levels, we are confident that our unique educational offering is attractive to families from both the local area and beyond.
‘We are all aware of the well-rehearsed arguments surrounding the academic advantages of single-sex schools and the league tables are dominated by them. However, it is important not to overlook the other benefits of an all girls’ education, since girls in a single-sex school have the space for their intellectual and social confidence to blossom.
There is a tremendous freedom to be – and discover – themselves and to fully explore all the educational opportunities available to them both inside and outside of the classroom.’