Eldest son will start secondary school next year and in a couple of weeks I am about to start the process of viewing secondary schools. I live in bexley with a grammar school system but I don't think he will pass the 11+ although he will be sitting it for the exam practice so I will be looking at the state sector.

I have 3 schools nearby. 1 an all boys to the age of 16, the other two are mixed with 6th forms attached. No ideas what he wants to do as a career yet or any firm interests as such. I think a mixed school (having male and female friends brings a mix of opinions and life experiences) I also think an all boys will be too macho /alpha male / aggressive. His father thinks an all boys is better (no distractions of girls in the class) all 3-are on par academically.

What are people's experiences and views on this. Just interested to hear what people think .. if we can try and keep it (fairly) sensible please. Ta x

Just as an edit.. I have two younger son's and a daughter. So whichever school he goes to will open the door (if its any good) to my other children going under the sibling criteria. I do lean towards their sister going to the same school they all do . Safety travelling to and from school and like to think I will hear about any incidents which go on at school from one of them if they are all there together

Edited by Michaelawt85 (05 Sep 2016 2.33pm)

When I was a young girl my Mother said to me.. You listen here kid you're CPFC

*gusset & stirlingsays klaxon*

Pro USA & Israel

I was a normal, healthy kid aged 11 in the 70's but then i went to an all boys senior school. When we were released into the daylight, eyes squinting, seven years later we hid from girls and could barely articulate.

Big chest and massive boobs

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I went to both...Ashburton for the first 3 years and then Ravensbourne (all boys at the time) 4th and 5th years.....I found the latter to be the best as whilst at Ashburton I was only concerned about girlfriends which detracted from my academia...no such luck with Ravensbourne...

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I went to an all boys that was mixed in sixth form, I was lucky that I had lots of girl mates outside of school, but honestly what I saw when sixth form came around, most of the boys could barely speak to girls.

It was great for me as I killed it, very much the glory years. But for sure for your kid mixed. The whole girls as a distraction argument is weak, if you spend 7 years you are pretty desensitised whereas say you are at all boys till 6th form then suddenly at the trickiest 2 years of your education you have to work out girls as well it's bound to cause problems.

If there is no difference in standard of education mixed all the way.

So modest lol

Edited by Michaelawt85 (05 Sep 2016 2.51pm)

When I was a young girl my Mother said to me.. You listen here kid you're CPFC