THE way youngsters are taught at a Blackburn school has been praised by a new education boss.

Alun Jones, the newly-installed head of The Girls Schools Association, has said that pupils between the ages of 11 and 16 should be taught separately to improve academic success, a model that is followed by Westholme School.

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Mr Jones said that the so-called ‘diamond model’ of education, which sees girls and boys returning to the classroom together in the sixth form, has been shown to boost results.

Experts have long claimed that girls taught in single-sex classes are more likely to take science and maths subjects at GCSE but Jones says boys are now also in need of the protection that single-sex teaching affords.

A spokesman for the school said: “We are very pleased at how our diamond model works at Westholme.

“Our girls and boys are taught separately but in all other activities such as drama, music or house events they participate together; this enables them to build social, emotional and interpersonal skills for the wider world.

“Boys and girls have the best of both worlds where they can flourish academically, as teachers can ensure that learning approaches are ideal for every student. “My own school days were at a girl’s day school and my career has spanned schools of all types including boarding, girls only, diamond model and co-educational.

“Having this range of schools has given me a clear insight not only into the different ways that boys and girls learn, but also their similarities.

“Our approach is innovative and balanced and ensures that every student can thrive and succeed without feeling all the pressures of teenage angst found in many schools.”

Mr Jones said that more single-sex classes for boys might halt the decline in their achievement and added that every state school should consider introducing the diamond model and experiment with teaching boys and girls separately in subjects like English, maths and science.

The GSA has said figures show girls are outstripping boys at every stage of education.

The association has said boys now lag behind girls at both GCSE and A-level and are less likely to apply to university.