In amusing that I must be a dinosaur, for being disappointed that my DD's 'Girls' school admits Boys into the sixth form

[redhilary]

I know I am probably out of kilter with my view, that a school that says its a girl school, should be a girls school all through. My DD's are in year 11 and year 9 at a large Girls Grammar School. However, in the sixth form they admit a small number of boys, currently there are about 25 boys in the sixth form. I have no problems with the school academically, they quickly engage action plans to resolve problems for girls struggling academically.The pastoral care in years 7- 11 is also excellent, which I think is due largely to the all girl nature of the lower school.

I just think some of the camaraderie attained through five years as all girls together, gets diluted in the Sixth Form . This dilution of camaraderie , loyalty and friendship groups occurs even with the advent of just a few 6th form boys in to previously established groups.

Thus, I am I a lone voice in wishing girls could at least continue with an all girls environment all through the school.

It’s a good thing and probably healthy for your dd

Both single sex state schools in our small city admit the opposite sex. Think it’s fine. Boys that choose a majority girls school are usually a self selecting group anyway - you dont get the laddish rugger lads applying!

Admit them in the sixth form I should have said.

I don't actually think you are being unreasonable to expect a girls' school to be a girls' school.

Personally, I would never choose single sex education for my own child as I don't agree with it and want her to learn how to function effectively in a mixed environment, but if you're going to segregate children at all, then I guess you might as well do it right the way through.

Is it a financial thing? I mean very small groups being expensive to run so this means more subjects would be available?

One of my GC has just moved from a single sex grammar to a mixed sixth form, he's doing well and is really glad he did it, his parents weren't sure it was a good idea and they are relieved it is working so well.

There was an interesting podcast recently, good news for girls but not so good for boys. I think it did say what a pp said, girls do better in single sex from 11 to 16 but better in mixed from 16 to 18.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0010216

‘ I thought pretty much every single sex school became mixed in 6th form?

I think 16-18 is too old to still be isolated from the opposite sex. It's not reflective of reality and my experience is those who were schooled in this sort of environment struggled socially at university.’

Totally disagree - it’s not like girls get locked up shuttered behind grills or something! They have brothers, fathers, cousins, boyfriends, male friends just like girls in mixed school.
My girls school was an academic oasis, including the 6th form, and I never had any problem mixing with boys an Uni. Or after.

I am 35 my sister is 42 the girls school we went to admitted boys at 6th form. They where all from the same all boys school where we all kinda merged and took lessons in both schools depending what subjects we took.