Trinity/Whitgift 2019 thread

But again, who knows!

I suspect only the admissions team know! I do think too much gets read into weekday/weekend/applied elsewhere/colour of the headmaster's tie.

Turboturtle, when DS2 was offered his scholarship, they knew that we already had DS1 at the school and that we hadn't applied to anywhere else.

We were pretty much 100% going to send DS2 to T if any kind offer was made, and they knew it. So I would say that having only applied to grammars and not any other indies shouldn't affect whether or not you are awarded a scholarship - it should be purely on academic/sporting/music etc merit.

But again, who knows!

Whilst in the past there have been academic scholarships offered after a Saturday T interview, I do believe this is the exception rather than the rule. But I guess a boy can always completely wow whoever is interviewing them!

Equally, a midweek interview is no guarantee of any kind of scholarship offer - a friend's DS was not even offered a place following his midweek interview a couple of years ago. Make of that what you will!

However, last year DS2 had a midweek interview with the director of admissions, whilst we saw the headmaster. We were told exactly how well he'd done (very well!) and he was awarded a scholarship.

I think that if you have a midweek interview and that an academic scholarship is on the cards, then that will be probably be made pretty obvious during the interview.

But at the end of the day everything is just speculation at this point. You never know until the letters arrive.

DS2 started in the junior year in September this year.

He loves the school, and is really happy there. They take really good care of all the j-bugs, and I can honestly say it was the best decision we made to remove both DSs from their primary at the end of Y5 and start them at T in the junior year. We have a 25-30mjn car journey, and it doesn't seem too much for DS2, but each child is different.

Hello jasmine372 we might be doing the 10plus as well next year. DS1 is already at the school.
I'd check the past paper that's on their website - if you think he's capable of that on his own without prep, maybe just work him yourself? Some get tutored others don't. I'm probably going to see how he finds it in the summer and take it from there.
The school day is 8.30 to 3.45 and is manageable, depending on what the commute is like at either end. I think boys going into year 6 always find it a bigger jump initially then going into year 7 but they soon get used to it. HTH

Motheroftw0 I think that Firefox1066 clarified the point that I tried to make (obviously v. badly) with regard to when and by whom your DS has his interview.
Some interviewers can be a bit cheeky and ask your DS where else they have applied to. If they know you've applied to grammars, does that have any bearing on the amount of scholarship discount they are prepared to give?

Thanks @Firefox1066, that's a relief. Very pleased to have people who understand how stressful this could be. I love this forum just for that reason.
Sorry another question @Firefox1066,
Anybody who's had a Saturday interview been awarded an academic scholarship?
T has this weekday interviews where they meet individually with the parents too discuss their scores and sorts. And a Saturday interviews where only children have 1-1 and parents are in an open forum! This should mean something right?

Following this because we are thinking for 10 plus next year !
Just a few questions which are more about exam prep than anything at this stage for me !

1. when did you all start exam prep for the exam ? And is a tutor really necessary?
2. firefox - do you think the school day in junior form is too long for a 10 plus year old . The commute would be 30-40 mins by car each way . How much homework do they have per night . ?
3. has the stress all been worth it ? !

Thanks for any input !

Motheroftw0.... There was a lot of conjecture about the relationship between when and who DS’s are seen by and whether scholarships are awarded. My experience has been that there was no real pattern of rhyme or reason.

Essentially, there were people whose DS’s were interviewed a good few weeks after the exam and were given scholarships and others who were seen sooner and weren’t. Moreover, on cross checking with a couple of people at the time, there was no discernible relationship between the day of interview and awarding of scholarships.

I remember very very very well how stressful it is at this time for you all (which is why I wanted to see if I could help answer any questions) but O do want to debunk a few myths about the process which might help a little, I hope.

Great @Firefox1066
Well done to you and your boys.
As both your boys got academic scholarship at T, when were their interviews. Was it straight after the exams? There are still some folks like me waiting to hear on interview dates and we are wondering as it has been two weeks since the exam maybe the DS didn't do well enough for an academic scholarship! Are we correct in assuming so?

Oh and both boys got in at 10+, so I know that process well.

This thread brings back memories! I was the thread starter last year for DS2 and DS1 was a couple of years ago.

DS1 got offers from both W & T , we chose W. DS2 got into W last year. Both were awarded sports and academic scholarships.

If anyone has any questions then fire away...

Has anyone had their Whitgift interview yet? I just wondered what the format of the interview was and how formal? We were telephoned and haven’t had any info by letter or email so I’m a bit clueless on it

Bondiboo74, I think it depends on who is conducting the interview, and if your DS is a potential academic scholar.
Our DS did not score high enough overall to be considered for an academic scholarship.
He was called in for the interview first whilst we were in a waiting area. He was asked about the things on his application form. We were then called in after to discuss his exam performance, whilst he waited outside.
The thread from last year spoke about differences in who the interviewer was with regard to if an academic scholarship would be offered, but I cannot confirm that fact.
I can't say this for a fact but I think they like to offer places to well rounded boys. There will obviously be boys who excel at sport or music or be academically brilliant, but they do also want boys who have varied interest.

Has anyone had their Whitgift interview yet? I just wondered what the format of the interview was and how formal? We were telephoned and haven’t had any info by letter or email so I’m a bit clueless on it

Pickofthepops, I am not an expert by any means but I would certainly take that as a positive sign. I wouldn’t have thought they would both chasing if he hadn’t done well in the exam. Fingers crossed!

Any thoughts? My son's school omitted to do his reference for W before Xmas. HT on long term sick. They chased today, W said not to worry, some o/s, pls get it in ASAP. Do you think that is a good sign, if frustrating!? Would they chase if he scored below par?

You wouldn’t get an invite to and interview if your DS hadn’t achieved the necessary mark! Congratulations and good luck!

nunutmother - I just got an email inviting my son for interview at Whitgift for 10+ on Sat too... assume that does mean they passed the test.

just got whitgift 10+ interview date for this saturday - does this mean the boy passed exam?

The school will be sending an email out later today on drama scholarship.

Heard on Friday night re: 10+ interview timing for T. Haven't heard anything re: Whitgift 10+ yet..

still waiting on whitgift 11+ here too

Has anyone heard from Whitgift today? We are still waiting...

Thanks SO, just seems.strange for sports or drama to go in in school uniform, but makes sense with school before/after I guess.