Pupil numbers at private girls’ schools are receding as increasing numbers of parents opt for more ‘realistic’ co-education, new figures suggest.

Data released by the Independent Schools Councils shows the number of pupils at all-girls’ schools has declined every year for the last three years.

The trend could eventually spell the end of the ‘jolly hockey sticks’ culture which has for so many years characterised many independent girls’ schools.

Data released by the Independent Schools Councils shows the number of pupils at all-girls’ schools has declined every year for the last three years

One leading head yesterday said more parents were turning to co-educational schools because they believe such environments are better preparation for ‘life’ s challenges’.

Talking to boys on a daily basis could better prepare them for mixed-sex environments, especially in the workplace, families say.

The figures for this year show the total number of pupils at girls’ schools is 79,973, a 0.8 per cent fall from 80,578 in 2015.

Similarly from 2014 to 2015, there was a 0.2 per cent fall, while between 2013 and 2014 there was a 0.5 per cent fall.

An ISC survey in 2012 noted that there appeared to have been a ‘shift’ towards co-ed schools since 2007, with 13 per cent of boys’ schools and 9 per cent of girls’ schools switching to admit both sexes.

Research published in 2013 suggested there has been a broad decline in the number of all-girls schools and all-boys schools since 1994.

Richard Cairns, head master of the co-educational Brighton College, said: ‘Now that so many co-educational schools are performing at least as well academically as single-sex schools, parents see no reason to segregate their sons and daughters.

‘Parents are increasingly worried that segregating their daughters from boys is not the best preparation for real life and may put them at a disadvantage in the workplace, compared to those women who have been educated in a mixed environment.

‘Parents don't just want good grades for their children. They want them to be fully equipped for all life's challenges.’

Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said the decline in girls’ schools was driven partly by parental preference and partly by the trend of boys’ schools becoming co-educational.

He added: ‘The leading girls schools have felt threatened for the past two decades and have fought back strongly, claiming girls in single-sex schools do better, are more likely to take the sciences, and are more likely to aspire to leadership positions.

The figures for this year show the total number of pupils at girls’ schools is 79,973, a 0.8 per cent fall from 80,578 in 2015

‘To some extent this is all true, but they are leading schools who attract the brightest pupils. When like-for-like comparisons are made there is no difference in these outcomes.’

Nearly all schools, both state and independent, were originally single sex because at first only boys went to school – and when girls began to do so, new schools were opened for them.

Experts say state schools largely became coeducational during the switch to comprehensives.

Research published in 2013 suggested there has been a broad decline in the number of all-girls schools and all-boys schools since 1994

Caroline Jordan, President of the Girls’ Schools Association, said: ‘The number of girls educated in single-sex girls’ schools has changed little over the last five years.

‘A movement of less than one per cent either way is statistically meaningless when you consider that we’re talking about 80,000 pupils or more.

‘Although there has been a contraction in the number of schools, we continue to educate between 15 and 16 per cent of all the pupils who attend ISC schools and vast numbers of parents continue to choose girls’ schools for their daughters.’

The ISC represents a large proportion of the UK’s private schools, with 1,280 taking part in this year’s survey.

Between them, the schools educate 518,432 pupils, the most since records began in 1974.

The ISC annual census also showed average fee increases remained at 3.5 per cent and a third of pupils receive fee assistance.

The proportion of international students remains at 5.3 per cent, while roughly 7 per cent of UK children go to independent schools.

Julie Robinson, General Secretary of ISC, said: ‘Having felt the pressures of worldwide recession in 2008, independent schools have adapted where necessary and are thriving just eight years on.