Twin Schooling

We all know boys and girls learn differently, yet there are many advantages to co-educational learning.

That’s why Pittwater House has combined the best of both worlds in an innovative learning environment.

We call it ‘twin schooling’, and you might have heard it called ‘parallel education’ or ‘gender-biased learning’.

What is twin schooling? It’s single-sex classes on a co-educational campus.

It gives your child all the advantages of gender-specific teaching combined with the many social benefits of a co-educational campus.

We provide a finely tuned blend of single and mixed-gender learning to ensure your child is equipped for the real world.

Although our Pre-Kindergarten classes are fully co-educational, our Kindergarten to Year 2 students participate in mixed-gender ability-level groups for Reading, Phonics and Maths only. All other classes are single-sex. From Year 3 to the end of Year 8, all classes are taught in single-sex classrooms, with teachers utilising gender-based strategies to optimise learning and confidence.

In Years 9 and 10, students participate in mixed-gender classes for three elective subjects, but continue to have single-sex classes for English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE).

Form classes, which are the cornerstone of our pastoral care programs, remain single-sex all the way from Kindergarten until Year 10. This ensures a nurturing and safe environment where students feel comfortable raising sensitive issues.

By Years 11 and 12, all classes including Form classes are mixed, to prepare students for life after school.

Research shows psychological differences between how males and females think, communicate, behave and learn.

For example, boys prefer problem solving and activity-based learning whereas girls benefit from co-operative learning achieved in small groups.

Our teachers use gender-specific strategies specially designed for an all-boy or all-girl classroom and provide engaging subject matter tailored by gender. Using this approach, we find students are less distracted, have a greater sense of achievement and higher self-esteem.

At the same time, students have the opportunity to socialise in stage-appropriate co-educational playgrounds and spaces between classes and participate in co-educational school events and co-curricular activities.

That’s where our campus really shines. Neurological research suggests that completely separating boys and girls changes their ability to empathise and understand the other gender. Hence, our students develop the skill and confidence to work, collaborate and relate with the opposite gender, setting them up for success at university and in the workplace.

References

Nasser, A (2016). The Difference Between Girls and Boys in Learning, ResearchGate. Retrieved from ResearchGate

McNabb, G., Dalley, A. (Producers). (Oct 7, 2018) 60 Minutes, The Answer. Sydney, NSW: Nine Network.