5 JANUARY 1991, Page 20

LETTERS Boys and girls

Sir: Sandra Barwick raises important issues concerning the well-being of girls within `boys' schools (Tully for them', 15 Decem- ber). Setting aside the difficulties that these girls face, another question comes to mind. Why are the major `girls' schools not admitting boys — to their sixth forms at any rate? From my time as a pupil at a girls' public school, I recall excellent librar- ies, laboratories, art and music block and sporting facilities, besides high academic standards throughout. Most of the sixth form went on to university — many to Oxford or Cambridge: what more could the parents of a bright young thing prepar- ing to take his GCSE at Marlborough or Charterhouse desire?

I don't say that there would be any absence of bullying in the girls' schools. But then, if the boys at Rugby and else- where — fondly believing that it is a `man's world' — imagine that they can safely ignore the nastier side of the female psyche, they have a dreadful shock in store.

Victoria Owens

3 Bellevue Cottages, Cliftonwood, Bristol.