What would work better for a sporty DS - mixed or single sex grammar school?

[sunshinecity]

DS is going to take entrance exams this year for two grammar schools. He's in two minds as to which he prefers and so am I.

One is a very traditional single-sex school with great sporting facilities (which he has been drooling over, havign spent the last few years at a very urban state primary school!).

His dilemma comes from the fact that it is a boys-only school and the other school (which most of his friends will be trying for) is mixed. He has very much enjoyed his primary school and is very social.

My dilemma is that he has brothers (younger)and no sisters, and I'm a little concerned about how a single sex school will affect him in his teenage years as he will have so little contact with girls.

Any thoughts from those with experience?
(btw I am aware that its not necessarily our choice which school he goes to as it will depend on the exam results - the issue is which to rank higher on preference list!)

[MrsSnape]

My friend's daughter went to an all girls school and had no contact with boys at all until she started college last september. It was a nightmare for her because she was suddenly placed into a situation where girls were 'silently competing' for boys' attention, she didn't know how to socialise with boys without seeming flirty and needy and she ended up in tears most nights because she just didn't know how to act at college. That's probably an extreme case however because she is generally over emotional.

My cousin went to an all boys school but joined air cadets and met who would end up being his future wife at the age of 14.

At our karate club there are lots of kids that go to single sex schools but they mix with opposite genders at karate club and other out of school activities.

[AMumInScotland]

Does the boys school have an affiliated girls school? Sometimes they have a close connection, and join together for various events to give them more chance to mingle. And/or does he have interests out of school which will give him a chance to mix with girls?

If not, personally I'd be uncomfortable with a boys school as I've known people who went to single-sex schools who struggled socially as they didn't know how to cope with the opposite sex as just "people". Of course, they might have turned out the same anyway, you never know for sure!

Back when I was looking for schools for DS (an only, no cousins nearby) I defnitely ruled out boys-only as he would not be getting thatmix outside of school so I thought it important to have it within the school environmant.

[sunshinecity]

The school has an affiliated girls school, but from what I can see they only really connect at sixth form.

He currently does a few after school activities which include some girls, but I know that if he gets into the grammar schools there will not be much time for these after homework (at least 1 hr per day). Plus, if it were down to him I think he would choose to do more male sports...which wont help in the socialising bit.

Does anyone have experience of sending their ds to an all boys school and still having a lovely, well balanced, socially mature son?!

[Milliways]

DS is at a single sex Grammar (RustyBear's son also went there and he is at Uni, so she would be good to ask).

He meets girls at swimming club & church, and - whilst only 13 (Yr9), I believe he is socially very well adjusted.

He was the only one from his school to go - but very quickly made new friends as well.