Since sisters Lilla and Ethel Courtnall established the school in 1897, Thorpe House has provided a well-rounded education to girls from the city of Norwich and beyond.

The reasons for single-sex education may have changed over the years, but certain constants remain. Girls achieve much better results in a single-sex environment. And they are more likely to choose conventionally "masculine" subjects and interests, whether physics or ICT, karate or football.

Teenage girls, in particular, are much more confident in single-sex classrooms. They feel free to contribute to discussions, try out ideas and answer questions when they know they will not be assessed for their looks by their male peers.

Since 1897 . . .