The big academic differences which emerge between boys and girls in year nine

Huge academic differences emerge between boys and girls in year nine, and parents are key in ensuring their children develop confidence and interest in learning at that time, experts say.

Boys fall behind girls on reading and writing, while girls often lose interest in science and maths.

Principal of McKinnon Secondary College, Pitsa Binnion, says boys often struggle with behaviour in year nine.

“They’re very immature and they tend to be very scatty at year nine,” she told Ross and Russel.

“Boys just are very unsettled at that time — they’re going through very huge hormonal changes, their friendships are so important.

“That’s why … giving them project work and developing their resilience and their sense of connection makes them sort of understand who they are and develop themselves.”

Press PLAY below to hear more on the differences between boys and girls in year nine