single sex education for girls - what do you think?

I went to a single sex school and loved it.

My parents were initially dead against the idea and made it compulsory for me to do mixed extra-curricular stuff - i played in a youth orchestra and joined the Air Cadets. I think i turned out just fine.

The 'Diamond' approach is used in some co-ed schools. That means:

Mixed lessons up to age 11

Single sex 12 - 16 (but with a bit of mixed for choir, plays etc)

Mixed lessons at 6th form.

I think that is probably best of both worlds. I went to single sex (boys) which became mixed in my final year and DW went to a girls grammar but mixed with boys outside school.

I think single sex probably works better for girls than boys up to 16 but after that I know that many girls want to go to co-ed because they get tired of the 'bitchy girl' atmosphere in an all girl school. I also think girls need to learn how to deal with boys/men in a quasi work setting before university.

Much of the research indicates that girls do better at single sex schools
www.ncgs.org/the-case-for-girls-schools/
particularly if they want to pursue a career in science.

However it does not always suit every girl. My dd is at a single sex secondary school, after a co-ed primary. DD got very annoyed at the boys in primary school and was quite excited at the prospect of no boys! At her school they are "twinned" with a local boys school and come together for extracurricular activities etc, and there is a co-ed 6th year in preparation for life after school. It certainly suits her to be at a single sex school, especially during the hormonal years! Less distractions.

I went to an all girls school in the 70's. It was stuck in the 1950's. Happily I think things have moved on since then.

DD desperately wanted a mixed school (and so did I for her), luckily she got one and loves it so much.

However, all the friends who wanted all girls schools are loving them too.

Horses for courses!

My DS is at an all boys state school and DD is going to an all girls in September.
There is lots of research suggesting children do better academically if educated separately and there are plenty of out of school activities in which they can mix with the opposite sex.

My two have also got on much better since not being at the same school.

I was always dead against single sex education for both boys and girls (DH and I both experienced it). However as it turns out my DD is much better suited to single sex whereas my DS flourishes in a co-ed school. I am now persuaded of the benefits FOR THE RIGHT GIRL. Only you can know whether your girl will benefit.

Went to girls only school, loved it, made loads of friends from the boys only school next door 20 odd yrs later we're all still friends, and planning to gatecrash their upcomming reunion with 10 other girls.

We were a bit "delicate" though and expected to be treated like ladies, and actually were. The girls from the mixed schools always seemed a bit rougher

Dd1 is going to a single sex school in September and is looking forward to escaping from boys. She does not have any brothers but will start at Scouts.

I went to a Girls Grammar school and have to say that I really liked it. Much less distraction. I still mixed with boys outside of school.