The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

@burntoutdad - Thanks a lot for the info. Too many contributions by you to this thread. So again thanks. With full fee, can any one get a place in these schools or still the schools consider the academic (both entrance and school report) performance? In some blog i read that the ratio is 1:2 (ie., scholar : non-scholar :: 33:66). Is it true? Just trying to get my head around these figures. My other half didnt show interest in applying for bursaries as he thought it should go to the right people. But I read here that if the income is below 70K and dont own a house, it will be easy to get bursaries. I called the school 10 days back but they told it is too late to apply for bursaries now. Also one parent has told if DS enters as non-scholar, he can't change to scholarship group for first two years. So real test on the depth of pockets.

Also can any one tell other than the fees how much extra that we need to spare for other things like trips etc per annum?

@hardboiled - sad to hear the decision but a lot of families do take the same decision I guess unless they are well prepared already to face the financial issue. For sure your DS will shine in the other school without doubt. So please don't worry.

AspiMum - not sure of numbers gaining scholarship but do know that this year the 'pot' has been slashed dramatically so scholarships are not as high as previous years. Would guess a lot of them have been 5 - 10% (say in sport/music) 15 - 20% (all rounder) some slightly more. Only exceptional DS's (academic/sport/music etc) will have got the 30 - 50% and I expect there are not many of those this year. Some would be topped up with bursaries too of course. We are unlucky in that we chose this year to apply!

Hi all, congrats to those who have decided and are happy about it! I thought the exam period would be the toughest thing and boy was I unprepared for the choosing! It has been such AGONY. I was in tears writing rejection letters this morning. Yes, I know, that's just mad. What can I say. I think it's some kind of postpartum big adrenaline drop.

I absolutely love T and would have loved to see DS there but we have decided to go for a closer school, which is a fantastic school DS loves too, so it's all good and the sensible choice. Good luck to everyone and I wish your DC the best as of September.

Hi All,
I am a newbie here. First of all thanks a lot to mumsnet for such a wonderful wealth of info.
My DS has secured a place in Whitgift but unfortunately on Full fees. When I called Admission, they told me that he has performed excellently in the exams but he missed some during interview. I was expecting some scholarship aid and bit shocked to see that he couldn't get any. So I am in confusion whether to stretch my budget towards fees or appear for Year 9. But my DS is so upset that he couldnt get any scholarship and worrying that we may not put him in the school.
I just wanted to know approximately what percentage of pupil get in WG on scholarship. Any one please guide me as I need to talk to my other half and take decision soon.
Many a thanks

Just about to post my acceptance to T.
Verbally accepted via telephone last week but only just back from half-term break so catching up with the admin part.
My DS is the 11+ cohort so guess will be joining some of your DS's already at T.

So very happy to have made the decision. T is definitely the right school for DS.

Thanks Seeline, sounds fabulous and I'm definitely more excited than him. Funny when the decision comes at half term as he's not mixed with his friends so he's not had a chance to share the news apart from with family. I'm sure the whole school will know by the end of today!
Feels a bit odd that he will miss yr6 but I've promised him some sort of party to say goodbye to his friends and mark the beginning of a new adventure.

I know what you mean somelikeithot I think DD definitely suffered through the process. Nevermind I've got it all with her 1 or 2 years time
Tell you something though - the rest of the school year will drag terribly in some respects, but in others it will fly by. At that point your terribly-grown-up 10 year old DS will suddenly seem incredibly young

Welcome suz
Ds started in Y6 last September. From memory there was a new boys and parents morning at the end of June when the boys were taken off and put into their classes, shown round the school again, met their form tutors and had a general chat, whilst the parents listened to talks from HM, and other senior staff. We then went off to meet the form tutors with the boys for a quick chat. We could then go off to try some of the music department facilities, visit the school outfitters display etc. THere was a second hand uniform sale as well.
The boys term started the day before the main school, being in for the afternoon to get their access cards and a 'treasure hunt' round the school. Timetable etc was the next full day.
They went on a 3 day activity break to Norfolk at the end of September. I was more apprehensive the Ds I think - not really knowing any of the boys he was going with or the staff! He had a great time though and it really helped him to make some friends.
Your Ds will have a fantastic time - feel free to ask any other questions - someone here will know the answers!

After being nearly a week behind everyone else with my paperwork due to admin error I have spent this a.m getting everything in order. Sent off a "No thanks" to W, wrote letter to current HM, thank you cards to DS teacher and Deputy Head who are so supportive of him and box of biscuits for staff room. Hand delivered a big "Yes" to T and feel so blessed to be here. After having the experience of knowing I would have to turn down the places I fully appreciate the opportunity available to my DS.
Any T parents able to share what happens next, a parent/child morning in summer term? Do the boys then go on a bonding trip in early yr 6?

I can only agree with everything GetmeOut has said, also having a J-Bug at T. He too has settled well - although it did take time and effort on all sides. The thought of continuing the extra work to have to sit 11+ exams after we had accepted the Y6 place would have finished us all I think. Let alone having to sit a whole raft of exams just as he was starting to find his feet at a new school. I really do not think DS would want to start all over again somewhere next year - it would be very unfair on him.

Very well said, burnout dad. I have a j-bug at T ( year 6 ) so he started at 10+ in Sept ( I posted about my wait list experience). It would absolutely break his heart to be pulled out now to go to a new school at 11+. Not only has he invested a lot of emotional effort into settling in, so has the school, but I heartily agree that it is so much more than an education. His whole out look on life is changing and how it is going to be developed is going to become even more important as they move into
their teenage years.
I agree financially it is a big committment but you only get one chance at these formative years.
Good luck with your decision and yes, you have masses to look forward to burnoutdad !

Which is a BIG downside

eyeswideclosed you would not be the only parent considering this option as I have heard this discussion a number of times. The main reason given for doing this is financial i.e. put DS in 10+ at W as a back up in case he doesn't pass the grammar test, but if he does then go to Grammar as its less of a financial strain.
I think that the private schools are well aware of this tactic (and yes are not very impressed) at W they hold you to a payment of 1 term if you leave early (although still a huge saving over the 6 yrs if you moved). Some things to bear in mind in addition to those given by croydonmumtods are:

1. W (I believe anyway) gives more than just an academic schooling to your DS. I thought that there was a big difference to the feel and ethos of the school the attitude of the boys etc which In our case was more suited to our DS1. I think im saying that it seemed much more than just a 'good school' which is what I thought of Sutton Grammar. But unfortunately it comes at a price. So it depends on what you want for your DS, personally i would have loved the opportunity to go to a school like W or T.

1. The W & T exams are much easier and have lower pass marks than the Grammar schools (SG, Wilsons, Wallington etc.) who are seeing year on year increases in entrance exam passmarks and number of applicants (1800 boys this/last year). So DS passing the W exam does not necessarily mean that they will pass the Grammar exam (or more accurately may pass the exam but the top results are so high that a place isn't guaranteed). This is the risk that you would take turning down your offer now, but if Ds did really well academically maybe you are confident that he would pass. In our case, even though DS is bright and in top set for Maths and English (and did well at W exam with scholarship) he is not the 'top of the top set' and it is usually these boys who generally seem to end up at the grammars. Even if he did get in he would be competing academically against these all through school. At W although all bright in some way there is more of a mix.

1. Although your DS is understandably your main priority there are parents on the waitlist for instance that would desperately love for their DS's to get offered a place and would miss the chance because of the parents that take 10+ places knowing that they are going to move DS next year. In this case it is more 'ethical'? (not sure if right word) if you turn down your place if you intend to do 11+ rather than take someone else's place as a 'safety net'. If you would have asked me before this process I would say that it would be a good idea to take the place, but now knowing the stress and pain parents and DS's go through to get this far (just by reading the posts here!), i don't think i would take the decision lightly to take a place i didn't intend to keep.

1. Bonding with peers is i think difficult for boys unless there is a common interest (sport for instance). You would be moving DS between 3 schools, which is 2 new starts, 3 sets of peers, 3 different schooling methods. Maybe not the best start, but depends how confident and social he is. For us it would be the worst thing we could do as DS is very shy and hold back until he gets to know someone (which sometimes takes a while), but for you may not be a problem.

1. There have been several posts with parents saying that they are feeling deflated. I can understand the big relief now its all over, but am I the only one feeling exited at the prospect of my DS attending a fabulous school? We have worked hard for this and wanted nothing else (other than the belief that ALL schools should the same, so parents don't have to stress over where DC's go!) so its like winning a major trophy!. I cant wait for him to start, i want to learn through him learning, some of the subjects look very interesting, he is excited and counting down the days to his first day. Are we being naïve?

Just my thoughts, sorry to ramble. Hope of some use. Reading back its as though im trying to convince myself but really the only downside i can see is financial.

Is ladymuck there can you advice me about the schools in Croydon or any one else

Is old palace whitgift really going down it worries me a bit since my daughter has been offered a place after 11plus in old palace, notredame senior school in cobham and Sutton high old palace is my favourite but i am confused which one to choose from I have two more girls 5 and 6 which primary state schools will bo ok for them I am not sure about moving to Croydon is it a nice place to live

eyeswideclosed this is a difficult call and only you can decide but personally I would not move a child for one year if there's a chance you will move them again next year. I don't believe the school would be impressed but more importantly what if your ds really likes the school and wants to stay? If that's not an option then probably best to wait and do 11+ and make decision based on all options (grammars/ T/W). I thought your previous posts indicated preference for T?. Anyway good luck with decision and very well done to your ds for w scholarship.

Thread has practically ground to a halt! DS did really well with scholarship to W but now, strangely, feeling a bit deflated. He is 10+ and we are wondering whether we should opt out this year and try for a place at W again next year along with the grammars, or let him go for a year and sit the grammar tests in Sept. This will be right when he has just started, not great for bonding, I imagine. Also, I think W would not be very impressed. Thoughts anyone?

Back from Hols, back to reality! Thread seems to have slowed down a bit. Does anyone still have decisions to make? We will be assessing our position over the next few days. DS thinks he can get away without doing any more work at current school!
Does anyone know if W still do lake Garda trip for year 6 bonding? Looks amazing - and free !

Unfortunately I don't have the pleasure of thrashing papers have DD in year 4 to prepare now... Hampster on a wheel comes to mind...

Thanks Yummy. Of course we are allowed to 'thrash' those papers if we choose to. And congrats everyone for your T & W places - and thanks for allowing me to join your commune.

I meant trashing and not thrashing, of course.. congratulations on City, Shaded!

*Arewetheryet' I have responded on the CLSB post - sorry am a determined interloper on the T &W thread. My son will be going to City in September and I work quite near the school. I see no problems with the commute particularly at the City end. PM if you want to discuss further.

Hi Shaded, reading some of your posts I think you are also considering CLSB is travel time an issue for you? We have an offer from there too however the travel time is a major issue now that its all a reality