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Original poster

Trinity/Whitgift 2021 entry

558 replies

Onvacation · 27/09/2020 20:44

I have found the previous threads for Trinity/Whitgift entry really helpful, and I don’t think there is a 2021 yet. My son will be trying for 10+, and for a sports scholarship. He is bright, and pleased to be back training for his sports, but he gets really stressed in exam situations and works slowly. He is only trying Trinity this year because he is not at all sure he wants to leave his primary school, but if he managed to get a scholarship I think he might decide to go.

I was hoping the activity on the exam day might help motivate him, but we got the email saying it wouldn’t be happening because of Covid. Can I ask if anyone had more success at 11+ than 10+? Do they ever offer academic and sports scholarships? I am assuming that we will more have the issue of him getting stressed in the exam, and not passing, than standing a chance of a scholarship, but just thinking of best possible scenario Wink. Thanks!

OP posts:
Sempre9 · 12/01/2021 15:13

@Anotherdayanother2 just out of curiousity, which school did you choose in the end? Was it a scholarship based on swimming that both T and W offered?

Anotherdayanother2 · 12/01/2021 14:59

Sempre9 the schools most certainly will take this into account.

Trialing now when some boys haven't trained all year (there are clubs who still have limited access prior to this lockdown), would be even more unfair. Some boys have access to private pools, when most others don't.

Sempre9 · 12/01/2021 14:53

@Onvacation I really think this will be the same for a lot of the boys, especially in the 10+ age group when they might not have had much of a chance to compete. I'm sure the schools will take it into account 🤞

Original poster
Onvacation · 12/01/2021 14:43

@Anotherdayanother2 part of the problem is that because of covid, his times are very out of date. He missed the January 2020 meet, and so his previous times are from when he was 8. Not really the best guide. The assessment day would have been a way or really trying to work out where kids were at. I feel more for the children who are trying for the 11+ because if needs by, my son can always try the 11+ next year, when HOPEFULLY life has normalised a little.

OP posts:
Anotherdayanother2 · 12/01/2021 14:33

onvacation swimming is a sport that if you are already at a club and have swimming times - an assessment day wouldn't be that useful. The times would speak for themselves.

Trinity have said on their website that sports scholars there don't necessarily need to be at a club and it would be those kids not already training at that level, where seeing them swim would provide the most useful information. Or in other words those with potential without the training behind them.

My DS is a swimmer and was offered scholarships at both schools a few years back, but we did not take up the places.

For any other sport - I think it would be pretty easy to spot sporting prowess, the same way you can pick up academic potential. Being at club level/county/regional level doesn't guarantee a scholarship either.

Original poster
Onvacation · 12/01/2021 09:32

@CatfordKitten I believe they do do up to 50% scholarships, but they are very unusual (this is just based on what I have read, rather than any direct experience). My son is a keen swimmer, which doesn't work via video demonstration in the park :)

I may have missed it, but have Whitgift said what they are doing for sports scholarships?

Music it would seem to make sense that you could do a video of a performance. Or even that you could do it via zoom, as a live performance.

OP posts:
CatfordKitten · 11/01/2021 23:58

What is the average discount on fees that Trinity offers sports scholars? Are there any with 50% fee remission?

CatfordKitten · 11/01/2021 23:24

Fully understand that for some sports it will be difficult. Son is a keen fencer which you really can’t showcase unless you have videos from training etc. Luckily he put down cricket and rugby.

Sempre9 · 11/01/2021 23:12

@CatfordKitten at least that allows the coaches etc. to see a child they have never set eyes on before, but for some sports it will be challenging to illustrate. However, I suppose there's not a lot else anyone can do under present circumstances 🤷‍♀️.

CatfordKitten · 11/01/2021 21:51

Another SE London independent school has ask us to provide a 5 minute video of our son playing his chosen sport plus another 5 minute video of balance and movement exercises they wanted him to do. I’m hoping they are using this along with the references provided to narrow down the number of applicants and maybe, fingers crossed, they will invite a select few into school for the assessment.

Sempre9 · 11/01/2021 21:00

I suppose sport will be ok for kids with a proven record, and it might only be these kids who end up with a scholarship anyway? I have no idea how they choose their scholars; the more I read on Mumsnet, the more terrified I feel!

Croydon46 · 11/01/2021 20:32

I would say music could be an audition online. A few weeks ago the plan was to assess the DT scholarship online by showing work etc. I don’t know if that is still what they intend to do.

CraigMurray12 · 11/01/2021 18:58

Will that be the case for music scholarships too? For both whitgift and trinity. Seems surprising if so!

Original poster
Onvacation · 11/01/2021 18:56

It is also hard to go on achievements when the kids have had so little access to competitive sports in the last 9 months. Ah well. It is do what you can and hope I guess!

OP posts:
Croydon46 · 11/01/2021 18:40

I agree. Making an offer without a yes or no for scholarship
makes it difficult for parents who need to know the exact terms of the offer. The school could loose students to other schools if the offer is not good.

Sempre9 · 11/01/2021 18:03

How will they handle the scholarships in the Summer term if the pupil needs the fee reduction of a scholarship? I had heard some time ago that they were going to go on references and sports C.V.

EnolanotAlone · 11/01/2021 17:28

We had heard one option under consideration was, sports assessments/ scholarships undertaken once signed with the school in summer term. Or based purely off sports CV achievements, coach referees.

Original poster
Onvacation · 11/01/2021 17:07

I am keen to hear what Trinity will be doing with regards to sports scholarships too. Partly because I'm hoping that notification about that might give us a clue as to whether or not the exam went okay.

I did have my (very) optimistic head on, and hoped they'd be able to get onto it from today. Still have my fingers crossed for soon. Patience is not one of my virtues :) Fingers crossed for everyone!

OP posts:
Purple2021 · 11/01/2021 16:30

Thanks @EnolanotAlone. Longest week ahead for sure!

Longingfornormality · 11/01/2021 16:02

Thanks @EnolanotAlone! Will try and sit tight and not think about it too much!

EnolanotAlone · 11/01/2021 15:40

Stay tuned and buckle in this may become a long week. The office advised there has been alot to attend to, keep checking emails this week, you will hopefully all hear by Friday. No news is good news philosophy.

Longingfornormality · 11/01/2021 15:40

Nothing so far on trinity 11+ for us either...

mootime · 11/01/2021 15:29

Was just coming on to hear if anyone heard from Trinity for 11+

Croydon46 · 11/01/2021 14:59

No we have not heard from Trinity 10plus. If someone does call the school for an update. Then please share on here. Thank you.

CatfordKitten · 11/01/2021 14:53

Has anyone heard from Trinity?

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