So where's this years Trinity/Whitgift/Dulwich/Alleyns Thread PART 2!!

Has anyone noticed that the Grammar Vs Indie thread on eleven plus forum has been locked - some very antagonistic/chippy conversations going on there!

For those making the decision between: Grammar and Indie; Grammar and Comp; Indie and Comp.. I have a couple of research studies to share (if anyone has time). Ultimately - it's the child's ability, their family support and then the school that counts, and in that order. There are no silver bullets in life.

I hope everyone makes peace with their decision...whatever it may be.

Thanks for all your support.

epi.org.uk/analysis/grammar-schools-8-conclusions-data/

educationdatalab.org.uk/2015/03/the-lucky-children-who-just-get-into-grammar-schools-dont-appear-to-achieve-more-than-their-primary-school-contemporaries-who-just-miss-out/

www.isc.co.uk/media/3140/16_02_26-cem-durham-university-academic-value-added-research.pdf

Thank you Firefox1066. It definitely makes sense.

Well done soooooknowhat....Dulwich is an excellent school. Loved the vibe there.

Jasmine...which did you go for?

Good luck to those still waiting to hear on the W/Ls.

So right up until the last minute we were struggling to choose but always had a niggling feeling that we just didn't feel as comfortable at Alleyn's. Got lots of advice from Mumsnetter and ds's prep head who called on Sunday. She surprised and reassured us by saying she would definitely choose DC over Alleyn's for ds BUT that it would be harder to pick between the other academic co-ed school ds had an offer from and Dulwich. She really said it was down to gut and that's what we went with in the end! Ds is going to DC now and I'd say we are 80% sure we made the right decision, there is always that slight niggle re co ed but we do know that Alleyn's wasn't for us. Jasmine, probably too late now but I'll second other posters, an hour each way with multiple changes isn't worth it I think. I don't know City and love T, but I know many people who are happy with City and I think you have to think about how it will work practically! I hope you made the right decision for you and your ds and hope everyone else is very happy with their choices. Very good luck to those on waiting lists and fingers crossed for you all!

Just dropped off the forms to Hampton! Hurrah! And let's hope KCS don't ring me.....😩

The having to change trains twice would be a killer for me. There would be just too much potential for missed connections and cancellations, meaning that the journey took even longer.

T does have a strong swimming team - and water polo.
Realistically, he is probably looking at 1.5-2hrs homework a night. It does seem a lot to fit in.
Is that really the most direct route travel-wise?
could he go straight to training from school to save some time?

T have a strong swimming team though...

noitsnotteatimeyet

Thank you for your comment. As you mentioned, I need to be realistic, don't I? Recently, my son's swimming is still improving and he said he still want to pursue his limit, while other kids started losing interest and quitting... Looking at him, I really want to support what he wants to achieve. Previously I asked here about City vs. Trinity and my mind was with Trinity.... but this last minute, I need to change it to City, perhaps. It's only 30 minute commute straight, no change, he can do homework and go to swimming. This may be the best.

Just financially, we feel very heavy responsibility....huge burden.

@JasmineJasmine - He will be exhausted after that commute and I can’t see how he could keep up that level of training - plus training requirements will increase as he gets older, my son was training 6 times a week by Y9. An hour’s commute with two changes is not feasible long term imo no matter how good the school

Please....give me some idea for this last minute!

The commuting to the school (T) is average 1 hour each way by trains (with 2 changes). Mostly less than 1 hour. He still wants to go and continue his swimming training after school (about 1hr 40 minutes training, 2hr 20minutes if travel includes) for 3-4 times a week. Do you think he can keep up his academic level, homework? Or do you think something will be getting behind?

A lot of pupils around me, having 1 hr commute, if they do these after school activities, look difficult to catch up school works and they started stopping swimming(or any sports). If he wants to continue these activities, 1 hr commute school is not suitable? Please advise!! The deadline is today to answer.....I'm panicking....

Snoooooooowwhat and Tolacar have you guys come to a decision?

Anyone else out there made any final decisions? 😬

Soooooooonowwhat - have you decided yet? You sound to be choosing between a co-ed school which you are not feeling will be the best fit for your son and an all boys school which you feel will be a more caring environment for your ds.

We were in the same position a couple of years ago (different schools and dd not ds but essentially the same problem) and went with our hearts and where we thought our dd would be best looked after. We haven’t regretted it at all and she has really flourished. Gut feel really does work.

If you are worried about the art at DC, then don’t be. Although Alleyn’s has the reputation, the art at Dulwich is amazing too. Lots of boys get A stars at GCSE and A level, there are “shows” of their work which the boys love and a DC alumnus is a Turner Prize winner so they must be doing something right and encouraging the boys in the right direction.

Hi user yes agree, we are definitely overthinking it all and have got ourselves in a tizz! The problem is ds really isn't sure either. He really wants co-ed but has never had a real gut feel for Alleyn's - it was always a back up for him. Now that we are in the position to choose it's a case of going for a school he likes in most ways but is not so great on art (ds has an art scholarship at Alleyn's) and is boys, or a school he just isn't getting the right vibe for. It's tricky as I'm not sure how to direct him as I kind of feel the same way!

sooooooonowwhat yes we have (well 99%) but felt a bit of a wobble today!

Sooowhat, I think you are over thinking it. Too much choice. If you son prefers coed just go for it. They are bot great schols so go for what he wants. It is he who will be there every day.

Place accepted at St Dustans. Hope daughter will be happy and thrive there. It is the school she wants to go to.

Tolacar did you make a decision? We thought we had but now aaaargh again. ds says he'd prefer co-ed but I kind of love Dulwich, just the feel of the place. We are trying to choose between Alleyn's and DC now, what did you decide on in the end? Good luck to those on waiting lists, I really had thought we would have had it figured out by now but it has been a real struggle!

Good luck for those making final decisions this weekend! And good luck for those on waiting lists...fingers crossed you get the places you want.

Snowstorm18 welcome to the thread! Won't be disappointed with W, it's nice when you finally make that decision. We are also got an outstanding school on our doorstep put choice indie as well. I think my mum friends must have thought I was out of my mind. But like yourself thought in the long run better for my DS, and so far very pleased.

spacecadet48 pleased for you and your DS yay!!!

School mum I think T manage very well in producing well rounded young men. They are encouraged to try lots of activities apart from their academic studies. They can also do DofE and/or CCF. Field days in the upper school are spent in the community either undertaking work in primary schools, old people's homes, or outdoor conservation work etc.

We have now declined two schools and almost there with the decision between the final two! Suddenly things are becoming clearer and as many of you have said, the gut feeling seems to be the leader. I do think you can overthink things when you're deciding between two....

We are very much undecided between Trinity and Whitgift despite visiting both schools post offers. We have had both head of admissions show us around and left each feeling even more confused, both have their strengths. I know that we are extremely fortunate to be deciding between two offers with scholarship discounts, this does make a difference for us as one is worth much more than the other, in an ideal world, this shouldn't affect our school choice but it must. I feel that Trinity are more academically driven, more nurturing because they can manage a smaller group of boys better. I feel that Whitgift will be better at developing an all rounded individual, but worried he might just be a number in a year of 180 boys! This is the most difficult decision, thank you all for your hand holding throughout this process.