Co-education within the school context, but outside the classroom setting : the experiences of Form 2 students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Form 2 students attending Secondary State schools, where co-education has been recently implemented. This study intended to answer the research question: ‘What are the experiences of Form 2 students, in a coeducational school, outside the classroom environment?’ The current research provided a space for students to share their thoughts and feelings about their experiences in school. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with six students. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three themes emerged from the data. The first theme captured how students view co-education and gender segregation. The second theme highlighted the importance of the school context as a place where students formed and maintained friendships. Friendships in a clique, dyadic friendships and romantic relationships were explored. The third theme included different interactions that occur in school amongst students outside the classroom. It is imperative to acknowledge the students’ experiences from their own perspective in order to become aware of issues affecting their experiences, which might facilitate educators strengthen factors that leading to positive experiences and diminish factors leading to negative experiences.