The only diamond school in the North East is celebrating after being recognised as ‘excellent’ in a recent inspection report.

Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle has recently been inspected by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate (ISI), the independent sector equivalent of Ofsted. Their report highlighted that:

Pupils make rapid progress in the separate Boys’ and Girls’ Schools and thrive in the family atmosphere
The quality of academic and other achievements is excellent
The quality of personal development is excellent

The report highlights that pupils of all abilities achieve very well, outlining the benefits of separate Boys’ and Girls’ Schools in Years 7-11 and a co-educational Sixth Form.

Dr John Hind, Principal, said:

“We are delighted with the findings in the recent ISI inspection.

“The comments support the Schools’ belief in the ‘Diamond Structure’ of education they have followed for the past thirty years – a co-educational Junior School, single-sex Senior Schools and a co-educational Sixth Form.

“Dame Allan’s is the only school in the North East structured in this way, and provides all of the benefits of single-sex education with the social advantages of co-education.

“Studies show that educating children separately during teenage years removes limitations created by gender stereotypes – for example, the idea that girls are better at subjects such as English and modern foreign languages, whilst boys excel in mathematics and science-based subjects.

“At Dame Allan’s, boys and girls have the freedom to push boundaries and experiment with various subjects and interests without fear of embarrassment.”  

In the Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery, boys and girls learn together to develop their social skills.

In the Senior Schools, boys and girls aged between 11 and 16 are taught separately, allowing teachers to focus on their differing needs but socialise and take part in the wider areas of school life together.

Finally, pupils in Years 12 and 13 are taught together in the co-educational Sixth Form to ensure they are prepared for university and life beyond Dame Allan’s.

This is highlighted in the ISI report:

“Pupils in Years 7 to 11 make rapid progress in the single-sex environment of their separate schools, where the differentiated styles of teaching enable them to achieve their potential.”

The inspection team found examples of this in design and technology classes:  

“Boys gain a clear understanding of their task through additional demonstrations, while girls become more confident in their use of machinery through the active encouragement of their teachers.”

Dame Allan’s Schools were founded in 1705 by Dame Eleanor Allan, the daughter of a city goldsmith and widow of a wealthy tobacco merchant who wished to provide a proper education for poor boys and girls in Newcastle. Over three hundred years later, strength is drawn from this heritage to provide an excellent education for young people from all cultures and backgrounds within a supportive environment.