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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Mixed or single sex ?

30 replies

YellowRoseinMay · 14/04/2023 19:17

I am undecided as to whether or not we have done the right thing. DD passed her 11 plus and has a place at a mixed grammar approx a 45 minute journey away by bus (I will take her on my non working days)
However all of her friends have accepted places at our nearest all girls comp, which has good results and is local. DD has gone from being over the moon at passing her 11 plus to now saying when she saw her friends over half term they were all talking about how great the all girls was and how sad she is she isn’t going. We were so proud when she got her grammar place , she loved it at open day and is excited about all the subjects they offer but I must admit I am now having doubts that all girls may fit her better and be an easier transition . Don’t know whether or not I need to try and get her on a waiting list for it . Argh .
Is it usual to be having these wobbles ?! I don’t think she’s going to know anyone going at the moment, there is an induction day in July so we are hoping she meets people then.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 22/04/2023 13:09

If parents are willing to take DD to see friends it’s really no odds if they are a bit further away. It’s what you do. I never valued a school by distance. I looked at best fit. If you take grammar tests, out of choice, you have already decided that’s best fit. Or why bother?

Some secondary moderns are superb. One near me gets better GCSE results than very many comps! It’s a highly desirable school but is in a grammar county. It’s absolutely not black and white with the secondary moderns all being poor. Where these schools have over 30% high achievers, they are not bad schools at all. However most that get a grammar place here would take it unless wanting somewhere like Wycombe Abbey or similar.

hadtonamechangeobviously · 22/04/2023 14:22

LittleBearPad · 20/04/2023 19:46

No I understand what they are saying. I simply think their position is rather selfish.

Show quote history

Of course it is not selfish - no-one is forcing anyone to send their DD to a mixed school for the purpose of improving boys’ educational and social attainment. Options for are there for SS and mixed - the catchment area may impose that decision, of course.
Based on large data sets SS may be better for girls and mixed for boys but individually that may not work. PP was merely stating her preference for her children.

LittleBearPad · 22/04/2023 21:26

hadtonamechangeobviously · 22/04/2023 14:22

Of course it is not selfish - no-one is forcing anyone to send their DD to a mixed school for the purpose of improving boys’ educational and social attainment. Options for are there for SS and mixed - the catchment area may impose that decision, of course.
Based on large data sets SS may be better for girls and mixed for boys but individually that may not work. PP was merely stating her preference for her children.

Show quote history

No I pondered afterwards and decided hypocritical was a better word than selfish. But then it turned out that poster only had a daughter.

shinesparklesmile · 22/04/2023 21:29

Single sex for girls, Mixed for boys x

TizerorFizz · 23/04/2023 00:36

Rural areas have one school. Rarely SS. Ok for towns and cities! The rest of us put up with no “Choice”.

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