Pros and Cons to single sex boys schools

[NoushieMin]

I would love to hear people's thoughts on single sex schools. I always thought that is not something I would consider, as I have always thought that it is good for children to grown up learning to have healthy friendships/relationships with the opposit sex, and probably even more so now in this growing culture of Andrew Tate and toxic masculinity. I would worry that being in an all boys environment would only feed that culture of not knowing how to interact with the opposit sex, especially when they are spending so much time at school, leaving very little time for outside friendships.

But now I have started looking at secondary school options and in my area most of the good independent schools seem to be single sex. Should I let this impact which school we choose?

What are people's first hand experiences on the pros and cons of single sex boys schools for secondary?

PS: my son is currently in a co-ed state primary school.

I think it really depends what the school's approach and ethos is with regards to "masculinity" - that is a reflection of how they will guide the boys.
My DS' boys school (not independent) does really good work in discussing these issues with the boys, and the cohort is generally a good lot - I'm sure there must be issues, but the lads are generally a nice polite bunch.
There's also a boys independent near here which I've heard parents praise for their approach to the masculinity issue.
So some schools get it right... but I'm sure there are others that don't.

I think single sex education really suits my children - at the moment at least. However I would probably expect them to go co-ed at sixth form. It really is about personal preference, what will suit your individual child and the particular school(s) in question.

Some boys’ schools offer a wider range of masculinity than is possible at mixed schools. At my son’s school, there are three choirs all full of boys, and boys knit and do ballet as well as football and rugby: all these things are seen as great. I’ve worked in mostly mixed schools and tried to have mixed choirs in several, but after a term there are always hardly any boys left. So I’m really pleased with single sex for that reason.

single sex suits us too. you would think it would be an overload of masculinity or lord of the flies situation, but by removing girls from the equation it leaves space for boys to embrace all the different sides of themselves and pursue whatever interests them. can't speak for everywhere, but that is the experience at our school. i think it is also helpful if you are at single sex to provide opportunities outside of school to mix with girls. bonus if you have a daughter!

Both my DS have gone to the boys grammar school in our area. It’s been brilliant. They’ve got a superb education and have (one coming up to his final year of sixth form) come to the end of their education as lovely, well rounded, confident young men.

Pros are they are more likely to do 'girls stuff' by that i mean play and instrument, excel in literature, sing, paint as its just boys stuff to a boys school.

Cons, I understand they achieve less academically (but clearly not in selective places) and risk of developing some toxic attitudes to girls but they seem to develop those at mixed schools too.

That's a really good perspective. I guess they feel less self concious when it's only boys all doing the same thing.

Yeah, I hadn't really thought of it like that, iI can totally see how that could be really positive.

We had a massive take up of arts, drama, dance. textiles. food etc. because there was no teasing about them being a girls subject.
A single sex school also allows for teaching styles that reflect how boys learn and still includes all the differentiation, SEND stuff of all other schools.

As for socialisation with girls, there are still the usual classes on consent and relationships, as well as clubs and projects that are in conjunction with girls or co ed schools.

In the end none of this will stop you from letting the boys go to scouts, cadets, DoE etc. which will also be mixed sex.

According to dd3, it's usually only years 7 - 11 and when teenagers are at their most vulnerable, anxious, acne-ridden etc, so single sex schools are a 'safe' environment from embarrassing yourself in front of the opposite sex and not being able to concentrate! (I went to a girls' school and so did dd1 & 2 and we had a great time).

Sorry, just realised you're interested in boys not girls!

From a teaching point of view, it can be easier to prepare (some) lessons separately for girls and boys. They develop at different rates, and have different interests. This is particularly true in English, with regard to reading books.

I taught English in boys schools (a state grammar then an independent) for ten years and agree with what others have said, you saw WAY more uptake of things like English, music, drama, choir, art etc etc then I ever saw boys do in the mixed school I went to for most of secondary. We used to get two or three full classes of boys for English A Level. I think it matters that there are a good number of male and female teachers though. There were plenty of strong female teachers who were great role models and would challenge any crappy views and talk about feminism. I would worry about a boys school with 80% male teachers.

I agree with this. My ds is at a very selective and academic school which also caters for and encourages a whole range of different interests. I recently asked my ds if he misses being around girls and he said definitely not. Having knowing lots of his friends I’m glad that boys can be boys and figure themselves out without the pressure of girls around. The school does a lot of extra curricular with the local independent girls school so there is still exposure.

I suspect will depend on the school as well. I have one at a single sec and one at a mixed school. In the mixed school there are loads of boys doing Drama, English, Art etc etc and lots of girls doing Stem, DT etc.

This is absolutely my experience too. I have 2 boys at 2 different all-boys prep schools. At both schools it’s cool to sing, be in the choirs, do drama, poetry competitions and whole host of other activities, which at the mixed prep they attended briefly, were avoided by the majority of the boys.