Q. What is the Diamond Edge model?

A. Issues relating to gender and education have been debated for many years. It is widely accepted that for certain subjects, boys and girls learn better in single sex groups. It is also clear that young people benefit from interacting with both genders at all stages of their education and development. The Diamond Edge model of education is where boys and girls are taught together until Year 6, then in Years 7-9 are taught separately in subjects where this is most beneficial and together in other subjects where mixed work is productive, before coming back together for Years 10-13 to study their chosen examination subjects for GCSE and A level. We believe that this offers the best of all worlds, socially and academically, for both boys and girls.

A. It started in 2009 with boys entering Year 7 and Year 9. We are now fully co-educational throughout.

Q. Which subjects are taught separately?

A. Pupils in Years 7-9 are taught separately for English, mathematics, ICT, biology, chemistry, physics and games and for modern foreign languages in Year 7. Other subjects are taught in mixed gender classes.

Q. How has the curriculum changed in response to the Diamond Edge model?

A. In the lead-up towards adopting the Diamond Edge model, we carried out a thorough review of our curriculum. We retained the very best of what we already offered but increased opportunities for both boys and girls in order to prepare them for a different, more flexible world of work in the 21st century. Graphic Design and Music Technology have been included in Years 7-9 and a number of clubs have been introduced for both genders, including electronics, craft club and a wider choice of sports.

Q. How do you satisfy the sports component for the boys?

A. We have appointed a highly qualified Head of Boys' Games who is responsible for developing boys' sport throughout the school as well as some very experienced high profile rugby and hockey coaches. Sports include football, hockey, cricket and rugby. Coaching is available at school as an after school activity. Clifton High has very strong contacts with clubs who share our Coombe Dingle facility, including St Brendan's Rugby Football Club, Rockleaze Rangers Football Club, Westbury Hockey Club and Stoke Bishop Cricket Club. The school also offers both boys and girls competitive athletics, cross country, swimming and tennis. 

Q. How has the boys' pastoral care been managed?

A. Clifton High has always placed huge importance on the pastoral care of all its pupils. Care in the selection of form tutors, Heads of Year and department staff ensures that all boys have access to male staff members, the school counsellor and the school nurse.

Q. Are Clifton High School staff qualified and experienced in teaching boys?

A. Most staff teaching at Clifton High at the time of introducing this model had already taught boys at some point in their teaching career and a number of specialist staff were already teaching our boys in the Junior Department. A number of new staff have joined the school over recent years and all of these have brought with them significant, valuable and excellent experience of teaching in co-educational environments. Staff continue to benefit from relevant input and current research in the area of gender, performance, school subjects and learning as part of their continued professional development.