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We have had similar considerations in our authority regarding girls only and boys only youth nights at local community centres and women only language classes. I would suggest getting further advice from your local authority as to what requirements/legal restrictions there are. On the whole in the UK the attitude seems to be that gender specific events/classes are acceptable where they can be shown to be of benefit. So, if it can be shown that girls/women are likely to be excluded from an activity if the activity is only available in a mixed gender setting then it's usually acceptable to provide a gender specific alternative. The business model argument also seems to apply here as we have female only driving schools, insurance companies and fitness clubs. It's also acceptable (in fact legaly obligated) to separate the sexes in most sports. In any sport where contact is intrinsic such as footballe girls and boys can only play together until the age of (I think) 11.
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