Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

clashing interview dates

35 replies

Vik1234 · 20/01/2017 13:29

What to do...Yesterday I received a call from the bursar at Latymer Upper saying that my son had got through to the interview stage to be held on 28th January and that letters would be sent out on Monday. I am delighted naturally, but I didn't think to ask what time it would be (the information would be in the letter) and the conversation moved on to discussing the bursary application. In the meantime I was called by St.Dunstan's inviting my son for a scholarship interview, on 28th! at 8.30 in the morning. I mentioned that he had just been called for another interview on that date but she wasn't forthcoming with an alternative and since Latymer never mentioned the time, I agreed. Latymer was always the preferred choice, but St.Dunstan's has shortlisted my son for scholarship. I don't want to offend either school...any advice??

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
PlumT · 10/02/2017 16:11

Vik, that's brilliant news. You must be so proud. As I mentioned my eldest is in yr 10 at Alleyns and absolutely loves it - the kids there all seem like very happy rounded people and he has a great set of friends both locally and all across South London.
We are delighted with the St Ds offer for our youngest...think he will be really happy there.
I will be raising a glass with you tonight 🍾

Original poster
Vik1234 · 10/02/2017 16:05

Scholarship from Alleyn's and StDunstan's!!! No offer from Latymer Upper. We will celebrate tonight!!!

OP posts:
PlumT · 10/02/2017 14:48

Good luck Vik.
(Of course meant white knuckle ride 😳!)

Original poster
Vik1234 · 10/02/2017 11:57

Congratulations PlumT!! The post doesn't arrive in our area until about one. I' m really hoping it arrives today as we are going away for the weekend. Wouldn't be able to bear waiting another 2 nights! I hope I have good news to report...

OP posts:
PlumT · 10/02/2017 11:20

Hope everyone got good news this morning. DS got academic scholarship from St Ds and offer from Colfes. So relieved and proud. It was only a few weeks ago when we thought we would get nothing. What a bare knuckle ride!

PlumT · 02/02/2017 15:07

Friday week I think...

Itsworldwar3outthere · 02/02/2017 14:55

Good ness, when do you all hear? waiting to hear from a school here too, next week.

Original poster
Vik1234 · 02/02/2017 14:26

yes, ds also had the one about getting water up a mountain. The wait is definitely worse for the parents, thank goodness!!

OP posts:
fleurdelacourt · 02/02/2017 10:52

the waiting is horrendous!! especially as they have probably made the decisions already and are just waiting to press go on the printing of the letters!!!

went on a trip with our Y6 kids yesterday - and it turns out they are not at all stressed - they were all very loud and gregarious - letting steam off after the whole process I guess which is just as it should be.

PlumT · 02/02/2017 10:19

Fleur, that's reassuring to hear. The waiting is unbearable. I have never needed a half term more than this one!

fleurdelacourt · 02/02/2017 08:33

Vik - congratulations - so he ended up just having the scholarship interviews? Am sure that that equals a place. One headmaster told us that ds was up for an academic scholarship - and commented that short of ds assaulting his interviewer it was a done deal!!

Yes we had those weird questions. Quite funny really - I thought interviewing had moved away from that type of thing? we also had one about getting water up a mountain - not quite so abstract but in the same vein?

The Saturday session did include a group exercise but it was story telling rather than a group interview.

8 more sleeps until we know - eek!

MrsPatmore · 01/02/2017 15:29

Vik, sounds like our sons are very similar. My friend's daughter was asked similar questions to the ones you've posted. Good for getting children to think on their feet! Ds had three interviews, each approx 15 mins duration. Very daunting and not asked the colour or penguin questions. Alleyns not his favourite school but hoping he didn't say that in case it's the only offer he gets!

Original poster
Vik1234 · 01/02/2017 12:10

Yes I'm sure they just want to cover themselves in the event of some extreme cases (we had a giggle speculating what those extreme cases might be...) Even if you son didn't perform his best, the fact that he was shortlisted for scholarship definitely bodes well. Best of luck to you too, fingers crossed!!

OP posts:
PlumT · 01/02/2017 12:00

Well done to you and your son Vik, that's fantastic news. As I've said before A is a brilliant school...cannot fault it. Re ac scholarships, we asked the same of the head at st ds on sat and he said offers wouldn't necessarily be made to all AS candidates (gulp) but I guess they have to cover their arses in case someone was clearly not the kind of child (or parent 😳) they are looking for. The wait continues...
I think those interview questions are genius...certainly couldn't prep for those! Let us know how you get on next week x

Original poster
Vik1234 · 01/02/2017 11:25

Further to my previous message (3 interviews in one day!)...an amazing thing happened. On Thursday evening, Alleyn's called to say that they'd reviewed my son's case and realised he should've been invited for academic scholarship interview! on Monday!! Great news! An afterthought obviously as I know the scholarship interviews were scheduled for Thursday/Friday. A question for Mrs Patmore/Fleur - were your children interviewed in a group or one-to-one? My son was interviewed by himself but I know he would have come across better in a group. Like your ds, Fleur, my son is also not so gregarious in one to one (full of life in other settings!). His conversation skills are weak - example, they say 'thank you for coming', he grudgingly says 'thank you' because he's not sure what to say - could be interpreted as lack of enthusiasm. Even asking his name, he hesitates, as if he's not sure of the answer. But once he has a task to get on with he gets stuck in. I wasn't there for the actual interview so I'm hoping that was the case. Anyway, the point is I had a chat with the main lady - I asked if having a scholarship interview meant there was a very high chance of getting an offer, even if not scholarship. She said that the only reason they might not make an offer is if they felt the child did not really want to got to the school. I hope that answers a few doubts. I did explain that my son was uncharacteristically shy in certain settings, so I hope they make allowances for that and judge him on his academic ability. By the way, any strange questions? - son was asked how he would describe the colour yellow to a blind person and what he would do if a penguin turned up at his front door!

OP posts:
PlumT · 29/01/2017 09:14

i think an academic scholarship interview is a positive but I don't think it's a cast iron guarantee of an offer as many of these schools use the interview process to see who will be the right fit for the school. Still, fingers crossed.

fleurdelacourt · 29/01/2017 08:48

Apparently Alleyns interviewed 280 - but am struggling to see how that's right. There's no way they got 250 kids through their system yesterday.
And yes all 30 (barring head butting the interviewer) will get an offer. But Alleyns will over offer so if they have 80 spaces for non junior school kids I'd expect around 160 offers

Noitsnotteatimeyet · 28/01/2017 20:05

Unless your child is really obnoxious in the interview or assaults the HM then anyone invited for an academic scholarship interview is pretty much guaranteed to be offered a full fees place.

There are six 'Sadlers' scholarships, a few plain academic scholarships and a few academic exhibitions. The scholarships are for a fixed amount (£3000 max) so that will be eaten up by fee increases pretty quickly...

MrsPatmore · 28/01/2017 17:23

Fleur, around 30 altogether on the Thursday and Friday. Ds found it difficult as he's not gregarious and I don't think he mustered up the requisite amount of enthusiasm! Not sure how many places there are altogether for 'outsiders' or whether all 30 scholarship candidates get an offer and the left over offers are picked from the Saturday candidates. I guess if you have a sibling that would help?

fleurdelacourt · 28/01/2017 16:17

Op- your ds had an academic scholarship interview if it was yesterday - so yes he definitely has a place I'd say?

How many were being interviewed yesterday?

MrsPatmore · 28/01/2017 15:53

Vik, how did you manage getting to all three schools? It must have been a hectic day! Ds had an academic interview at Alleyns on Friday so I'm also wondering whether that means he has a place?

Original poster
Vik1234 · 26/01/2017 10:49

PlumT - thanks for your message. Good luck to you too for your youngest one.
Bluejean66 - My son fell in love with LU but I feel Alleyn's would be a better fit for him. Both are excellent of course but we'll see what offers come in.
Good luck to everyone undergoing a similar process. Children seem to take it within their stride... I think it's the parents who worry more!

OP posts:
Bluejeans66 · 25/01/2017 16:17

there even!

Bluejeans66 · 25/01/2017 16:16

Didn't you say LU was your preferred choice? Hope you manage to get their in time!

PlumT · 25/01/2017 15:08

Vik1234, that's great news. We didn't get alleyns even though my eldest is there so a bit disappointed although St Ds prob a better fit for my youngest. They're only about 10 mins from each other so you should be fine to get there on time. I wouldn't worry about making the call to alleyns - they are human and understand clashes and probably appreciate it when parents are honest. Best of luck with all your interviews. Alleyns is fantastic school - we couldn't be happier with it for our eldest.