Ladies’ college pupils hailed for staying on in single-sex sixth form

Harrogate Ladies’ College students achieved outstanding results this year, with 61 per cent of all exams resulting in an A* or A grade.

Almost one in five girls achieved straight A* and A grades at the private school.

Now 44 of the 53 GCSE students are preparing to stay on at the school for their A-levels.

Headmistress Rhiannon Wilkinson said this bucked the trend of girls leaving single-sex schools in order to study alongside boys at A-level.

She said: “I am delighted that the girls recognise what they can achieve here. There is a view that going into co-ed at sixth form will help prepare them for life at university but we think this is wrong.

“There is a time and a place for meeting and getting to understand boys but our school allows girls to develop in their own space.

“The fact that so many are staying shows they are confident about achieving success here at A-level.

“I am delighted by the girls’ results. This year group was the largest GCSE year the school has ever had and there are some notable performances.

“Many in the year have worked exceptionally hard to attain the best grades they can.

“Significantly, the great majority of this group are staying on into our lower sixth in September.”

Mrs Wilkinson added: “I anticipate they will do very well in time, across the breadth of our sixth form curriculum.”