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10
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
At my all girls’ school, there was an unhealthy focus
on food. There used to be a daily competition to
see who could eat the least at lunch.
I was at an all girls’ school
before Teddies and I didn’t like
it at all. It was very intense.
Social
norms
are very
different
in an
all girls’
school.
My parents suggested that a
co-ed school would be good.
Both genders can become
anxious about encounters
with the opposite sex if they
haven’t had a chance to get
used to them. Imagine turning
up at university and never
having spent time with boys.
Co-education
is about normal
life. You might
as well get used
to it from the
beginning.
In my experience, girls’ schools are much more competitive.
Far greater attention is paid to rankings in all contexts.
It takes time to get the balance right in a co-ed school. The early days can be challenging. In my Shell classes,
some boys definitely thought they were top dogs to begin with but everyone very soon made them see the error
of their ways. We all have to learn to work alongside each other.
We have really good
teachers at Teddies –
they’re much nicer than
Prep School teachers.
Because they’re in House
in the evenings, you have
really good access to your
teachers. They’re always
willing to help.
Girls
Talk
To mark 20 years since the first Shell girls arrived at St Edward’s, we talked
to girls from all year groups about co-education, life at St Edward’s and happy
memories of School. All girls who took part had actively chosen co-education
for their senior schooling. Many thanks to Emily Potter, Clara Wilson,
Millie Moss, Ayo Sule, Elsa Robinson, Izzy Degroot, Clare Simkin,
Athena Bonnefoy and Matilda Pumfrey for their observations.
The broad academic entry is one of
the best things about St Edward’s.
It’s so good to be at a school that
values you because of who you are,
not because you’re the absolute best
at everything. Not everyone can be.
I love being in a city.
When we go to away
matches in the middle
of nowhere, I feel really
sorry for the pupils.
Contributors Ayo Sule, Athena Bonnefoy, Elsa Robinson and Matilda Pumfrey.