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<p>A co-educational school adopting a policy of separation on the basis of sex, which
treated girls less favourably than boys (or vice versa), would be acting unlawfully
under the Equality Act 2010. The Department for Education has issued advice to schools
on the application of the Equality Act 2010:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-advice-for-schools</a></p><p>As
this guidance states, it is possible to justify separate classes in exceptional circumstances,
for example in delivering elements of sex and relationship education, or for PE. In
all other cases, the Department expects co-educational schools to teach boys and girls
in mixed classes and not to treat them differently because of their gender.</p><p>
</p><p>Inspectors take into account guidance issued to schools by the Department,
including the existing guidance on the Equality Act 2010. We would expect them to
question a school about any segregation of pupils by gender to ensure that this is
only taking place in exceptional circumstances as outlined by the Equality Act.</p><p>
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