Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender and school choice: factors influencing parents when choosing single-sex or co-educational independent schools for their children
AU - Jackson, C.
AU - Bisset, M.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - This paper explores factors influencing parents' choices of single-sex or co-educational schools in the independent sector. In doing so, it explores two relatively under-researched aspects of school choice by focusing upon gender and upon the middle classes. The paper draws upon research conducted in three independent schools—a boys' school, a girls' school and a co-educational school. Data were generated via questionnaires (225 responses) and semi-structured interviews (15 sets of parents). The findings suggest that the reputation and exam results of schools are key features guiding parents' school choices. However, whether a school is single-sex or co-educational is an important factor for many parents. Furthermore, the long-held view that single-sex education has advantages (especially academic) for girls, whilst co-education has advantages (especially social) for boys, still prevails.
AB - This paper explores factors influencing parents' choices of single-sex or co-educational schools in the independent sector. In doing so, it explores two relatively under-researched aspects of school choice by focusing upon gender and upon the middle classes. The paper draws upon research conducted in three independent schools—a boys' school, a girls' school and a co-educational school. Data were generated via questionnaires (225 responses) and semi-structured interviews (15 sets of parents). The findings suggest that the reputation and exam results of schools are key features guiding parents' school choices. However, whether a school is single-sex or co-educational is an important factor for many parents. Furthermore, the long-held view that single-sex education has advantages (especially academic) for girls, whilst co-education has advantages (especially social) for boys, still prevails.
U2 - 10.1080/03057640500146856
DO - 10.1080/03057640500146856
M3 - Journal article
VL - 35
SP - 195
EP - 211
JO - Cambridge Journal of Education
JF - Cambridge Journal of Education
SN - 0305-764X
IS - 2
ER -