Girls outperform boys at every stage in England’s schools. By the end of primary, 70 per cent reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared with 60 per cent of boys (Greg Hurst writes).

This gap is evident throughout education. Last year 23.7 per cent of GCSEs sat by girls were awarded top grades of 7, 8 or 9 compared with 17.5 per cent by boys, and 56.6 per cent of young women were going to university but 44.1 per cent of young men.

Girls’ education is profoundly important and should be celebrated. But their success masks the underachievement at school by too many boys, especially those from poorer families.

Girls outperform boys at every stage in England’s schools. By the end of primary, 70 per cent reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths compared with 60 per cent of boys (Greg Hurst writes). This gap is evident throughout education. Last year 23.7 per cent of GCSEs sat by girls were awarded top grades of 7, 8 or 9 compared with 17.5 per cent by boys, and 56.6 per cent of young women were going to university but 44.1 per cent of young men. Girls’ education is profoundly important and should be celebrated. But their success masks the underachievement at school by too many boys, especially those from poorer families.