All girls school or mixed comp

DD (also an only child) went to an all girls grammar, co-Ed in sixth form. It was a lovely supportive environment. Friend’s DD at a comp found it more bitchy as girls were trying to impress the boys. As others have said it depends on each school. DD loved the environment so much she chose and all girls college at Uni and is thriving. Sports, drama etc she mixes with boys.

Dts go to an girls school, although it has a sister (brother?!) all boys school and they have mixed events, discos etc. its co-Ed in 6th form.

I went to a convent, never had any issues interacting with boys!

You could encourage some extra curricular activies that are mixed sex such as scouts or sports that keep mixed sessions longer.

My experience with dd1so far in mixed sex comp is similar to pp's. She has a mixed group of friends. But overall, I'd say she is closer with some of the boys and there's no bitchy behaviour, like with some of the girls in her group of friends.

Anecdotally the girls at mixed schools have boyfriends much much earlier which isn’t a plus in my eyes.

Mine at all girls. Educationally think it’s better and allows the quieter girls like Dd1 to participate in class and thrive. Think you will get teen girl friendship issues wherever there are teen girls it’s a developmental stage sadly.

Glad they are more insulated from some of the grim sexual comments I had to deal with at my mixed comp and sadly think that’s actually got worse. Not perfect but on balance (dd1 year 13) it was the right choice.

It depends on the dc and the school. DD went to mixed primary school. Boys were a distraction (they act out more in class). I also noticed that on the holders event for one mixed school we applied to (the boys stood out with their fooling around, sports etc....). DD loves her all girls school. We might consider mixed for Sixth form, as I am sure when older the boys will be missed, but atm she is super happy no boys. She has a brother close in age, so gets enough of the boys :)

Depends on the schools, depends on the girl.

Mine went to a girls' GS which was great, suited her down to the ground. It was excellent for STEM (but also the rest too not pushing them in any direction iyswim). She socialised with both sexes outside of school in various activities. She certainly was never 'boy obsessed and uncomfortable around boys'... I think girls who'd turn out like that would in a mixed school too.

I think teenage girls benefit from an all girls eduction. Just visit to check the vibe.

All girls

My DD went to mixed comp. There were some awful bitchy cliquey girls in Y6 and this followed into secondary school unfortunately. Thank goodness for the boys in her friendship group. She would have struggled otherwise - she just found lots of the girls so full of drama and she’s always been quiet. The only school friends my DD has stayed in touch with since leaving school (8 yrs ago) are the group of boys from her friendship group and one girl. It’s a tricky time for them so a mixed comp gives more options for friendship I think.

Keep an open mind, visit the schools and decide which you like best based on all their merits rather than just single/mixed. There are great mixed schools and awful, great single sex and awful.

My DD is at a lovely single sex school, not at all bitchy and she’s thriving. But I picked it for much more than just it being single sex. The boy mad thing really isn’t a problem, she’s gay anyway.

My DDs went to all girls grammars, awful bitchy places, they couldn’t wait to leave. I moved both of them to a mixed comp for 6th form, they thrived.