From 2019 the School will introduce a co-educational ‘diamond model’ making Leweston only one of a handful of schools in the country, and the only one in the local area, offering a structure which combines the academic benefits of single-sex education with the all-round advantages of co-education. Girls and boys in Years 9 to 11 will be taught separately in Maths and Science, but join together for other subjects, clubs and enrichment activities.
The diamond structure allows for tailored learning and delivery techniques for boys and girls at a key stage in their development; small class sizes focuses on each pupil’s needs and supports girls and boys being less self-conscious in the classroom. It also removes the gender stereotyping of subjects being seen as more suited to girls or boys. Students return to the same classrooms for Sixth Form in preparation for the world of higher education and work.
ISC Data in 2016 revealed that GCSE performance for girls and boys is higher in a diamond model environment rather than a full co-ed one. 96.4% of girls achieved 5 A* – C grades compared to 89.7% in co-ed and 97.8% of boys achieved A* – C grades compared to 87.6%. There was no difference in attainment at A Level.
Leweston featured in the 2017 Telegraph article about the merits of diamond model education.
For more information about the future of Leweston please see our brochure below: