Single sex vs co-ed for primary school boys

[Fulhammum6197]

Hi,
Our son has been at a single sex school but will be leaving at 8+ and wondered if we should look at co-ed until 13. We always thought single sex for boys as there can be a gap between boys and girls, as girls seems more mature / more advanced on the academic front. But now thinking about the social downside if he continues in a single sex primary.

Any thoughts for and against would be great.

I would say coed all the way to 18, personally. I'm not sure the point about girls being more mature/academic is really true, and if so only on a statistical level - it's not necessarily noticeable within a single school cohort - but even if it is, what's the harm in having the example of slightly more mature and academically advanced children around you, regardless of their gender? Socially, I just find the whole concept of SS anachronistic these days. I don't want my son to infer that there is any reason for him to be separated from girls, in any walk of life. It's one of the main reasons we went private rather than state, as our coed state options were not good (SS grammar area).

The thing is - it isn't as simple as that.

I've been a lifelong advocate of single sex schools at senior level, with the received wisdom that it's particularly better for girls, and the observation and experience of bringing up boys. But I suspect the quality and outcomes of school life are equally dependent on the ethos and teaching within individual schools.

A co-ed school that is acutely aware of the need to work in ways that benefit both sexes equally, using the latest, proven research and well trained, well chosen staff should provide an equally good experience for boys and girls.

But there are other factors ... It's apparent you're looking within or towards the independent school sector. Is a single sex or co-ed independent school less likely to hold at its core attitudes perpetuating misogyny, racism, hostility towards less represented classes or cultures? Who makes up the senior leadership team? Will pupils find imaginative, empathetic mentors amongst the teaching staff? Whose history is taught? Whose art is celebrated? Whose plays are studied? Which firm is engaged to design the new sports hall? What proportion of the black pupils progress to Oxbridge, or conservatoires, or the Slade? All of these considerations need research alongside your original question - even at the most prestigious public schools.

I would probably have begun with a co-ed school from reception, intermittently reviewing the child's experience and needs and possibly changing at some stage, before committing to single sex for senior school. In your position I'd be inclined to switch to co-ed now, until the 13+ move. But it really depends on the quality of the school.

(My first sentence is in response to the OP's question!)

Thank you both @PerditaProvokesEnmity and @noxestdormiendafor replying. I appreciate both your thoughts. For me personally I see at this age a gap in their developments and maturity between genders. I have 5 children (2x boys and 3x girls) and girls although younger in my house anyway have more focus/attention span currently and even the way they play and interact. Therefore I can understand why single sex schools have their benefits even at this age. At the same time real life is not single sex schools and I remember the shock going from an all girls school to a mixed 6th form!
For me it is like you say trying to see if the school not only recognises the differences but understands how to handle that all in one class topped with the normal individual needs of each child. My son definitely needs more help academically and therefore worry that if he was in a co-ed he may get distracted and left behind his peers generally, let alone in a class mixed with girls who may be much further along and for him to identify this and it knock his confidence. BUT at the same time it is definitely good for his social interactions to replicate real life and for this to build on his EQ skills.

@perdita