15/10/2008 – Secondary schools in Inverclyde were experimenting with single sex classes in a bid to drive up boys’ exam results.

The pilot scheme was part of a wider effort to help bridge the gap with girls, who are outperforming them year in, year out.

St Stephen’s High School in Port Glasgow was one of the first to introduce single sex classes for S2 pupils in English.

Greenock Academy had also introduced the classes in PE after liaising with pupils.

This year’s exam results showed girls in Inverclyde schools were achieving better results in Standard grades and Highers.

And the pattern was repeated across Scotland. Former Gourock High head teacher Chris Robertson believes only time would tell if the new approach would help boys in the classroom.

Ms Robertson, who worked in the council’s education department, said: “It is too early to tell if single sex classes can make a difference to attainment. It has been tried in maths and English.

“Scotland has been leading the way in the research into the way boys learn.

“For a start, there has to be suitable material for them. There is no point in giving boys Pride and Prejudice to read.”

Ms Robertson, who had stepped down from Gourock High at the end of the previous school year, said: “Boys are less likely to conform than girls.

“Girls respond better to passive learning, while boys prefer active learning.

“The boys like short-term targets and are more competitive.

“They live more in the moment. The research is very interesting.”