Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

All BOY school? Or mixed school? Opinions please?

55 replies

TiramisuTartsandPiesInOrbit · 21/09/2007 13:01

I have started thinking about secondary school for my son (he is 5, I am early).

Has any of you any experience with single sex schools? I am quite keen on an all boy school, but I wonder if I do this will I then
a) deprive my son of the company of girls or;
b) keep him focused on his school work.

My son likes girls, his best friend is a girl, though he also says he loves her, and will marry her, and asks about the birds and the bees.

The school I have in mind is an all boy catholic school. I am taken by the idea of this, and would appreciate any feedback on this.

OP posts:
Original poster
TiramisuTartsandPiesInOrbit · 21/09/2007 13:21

My friend has a 14 year old in a single sex catholic boy school. He is the nicest, most polite boy you could wish for. Healthy interests, and not too keen on girls yet. Not sure if it is the school or the way my friend is bringing him up that should be credited.

OP posts:
Wisteria · 21/09/2007 13:17

I don't agree with single sex schools, IME they tend to engender a fascination with the opposite sex similar to alien sub-species etc when it seems a far more natural rite of passage at a mixed school as they become friends and aren't seen as anything special, not explaining myself terribly well but I went to a single sex school and my dcs go to mixed, I know which one seems better to me.

Sunshinemummy · 21/09/2007 13:06

DP went to an all boys Catholic school - it was run by Christian Brothers and was pretty brutal by all accounts. I personally got a lot out of going to a mixed school and still have schoolmates of both sexes, although we are also considering all boys for our DS (he's 18m, I am also early).

Original poster
TiramisuTartsandPiesInOrbit · 21/09/2007 13:04

We are a catholic/anglican family, he is baptized catholic and goes to a RC primary school now. He has religious interests, and speaks of being an altar boy.

OP posts:
Wisteria · 21/09/2007 13:03

It's a personal thing - I am of the 'no way over my dead body' persuasion though...
Are you catholic yourself?