When I was in elementary school in County Durham (waaaaaay more than 15 years ago), boys under 7 shared a segregated schoolyard with girls of all ages. All the lads in the Girl's Yard were obliged to twirl rope for them and sing the skipping songs.

On a mountain stands a lady,
Who she is I do not know.
All she wants is gold and silver
All she wants is a nice young man ...

After age 7 you went into the Boy's Yard where you were taught the essentials of British Bulldog and similarly rough games. Talk about culture shock! ;o)