10+ entry for secondary schools 2026

As I said, I am speaking from the experience of those that I know who joined in 2025, they are a few boys within a large cohort, so again, as I said, I appreciate everyone's experience is different. I am not talking out of gossip or hearsay, this is a real life current experience. I am glad to hear you have experienced different and I am absolutely sure that most boys will thrive there.
Ultimately it depends on the child and best fit.

It’s about money and securing themselves financially for future! Many selective schools are closing in the UK because of overall demand. These schools aren’t stupid. Those that have to will need to open the doors to both to secure the financial futures. Also the demands for grammar schools rocketed this year and last.

All this, my schools over subscribed and look what others are doing is it really that relevant? Surely it’s about the school that caters best for your child unless it’s about keeping up with others 🙄. Co-ed, boys, girls, grammar, SEN, state. You’ve looked around and done the test do what you think is best for you. I’m coming off this forum now because it’s getting a bit much now. Some of the parents with sons at Trinity are all a bit intense 🤪. See you in September!

Trinity is a totally oversubscribed school (parent there).
Drivers are the closure of Old Palace, the increasing demand for coed education, the general trend ... Just have a look at the many top selective boys' schools going coed at the moment? KCS, Westminster...

Trinity has had girls in the sixth form for over 10 years now, with success!
They know what they are doing, and they have been preparing for this for several years now.

20%! We asked for more

This is absolute nonsense! And I think it’s actually a dangerous thing to use words like alpha male in these environments. I have experience of both schools so I think you should be more aware before making such statements. The school is number one for sports in the UK and has earnt it through nurturing talent. My son didn’t even play sports and has found things he loved. So please use facts not hearsay and gossip when advising others.

Thanks - thats reassuring x

Our friend has an older son (year 8) there now, and they rave about it, from every perspective. They find it a very inclusive, happy place, and say their son has come on leaps and bounds - which they give the school all credit for.

He loves all the top 4! They’re all great schools - it’s a good problem to have we have our last offer holders morning tomorrow and will then decide over the weekend. This was very reassuring though, and I don’t want our school to put off other Trinity offer holders, either for this year or the future as it’s such a great place!

Good luck to all who have to make the tough decision between schools 🤞

Has anyone got any thoughts on Whitgift? Even though our DS was only offered a place there and not Trinity- we want to make sure we are also making the right decision. We are seeing the school tomorrow for an offer tour so hopefully we will get a better sense after that.

Are both schools world's apart?

Thank you both @pillarandpot @Ready0rNot , very reassuring. I will set our school right!

My DS went through Trinity 11-18 and my daughter is now in 6th form there. I have had no sense at all that it is under-subscribed. I would fully recommend the school - we have loved the grounded ethos and relatively diverse cohort, fantastic stretch/opportunities - and they really do care and provide excellent pastoral support. The school is extremely well-run - both at strategic level, where decisions are thoughtful and well-communicated, and also on a day to day basis. Going fully co-ed will undoubtedly be a big change, but I would trust the school to manage the transition well. I think it's an exciting development for them, and to be honest am rather sad that it hasn't happened in time for my youngest daughter!

If it helps, we have been really impressed with Trinity so far. Although works have started within the school our DS hasnt experienced any disruptions at all and actually the new areas look impressive! Our son is academically strong, quite reserved, likes his sports and music enough to be involved but its not his main focus. The pastoral care is great and there is a feeling that the school genuinely care about the boy's wellbeing as well as results! I know boys who have just joined Whitgift in 2025 that are not experiencing the same with it providing more of an 'alpha male' sports driven environment but appreciate everyone's experience may be different!

@Nov2025 @Rockinboppin @Tolibot25 all good points, thank you! So many variables to consider…

It does feel though that Trinity is at a point of transition, whereas Whitgift seems stable. Will Mr Kennedy stay at Trinity long term after so many years of talking so strongly about his belief in the strength of a boys only education? 🤷🏽‍♀️👍Will the addition of girls throughout change the feeling of the school? Undoubtedly. I’m sure not for the worse, but nonetheless, it’s an unknown. Also will the school be in slight disarray during the building works? It’s these aspects of change and uncertainly that are making the decision difficult for me.

I think it is fear mongering. Looking at the taster day yesterday, it was busy. Looking at the fact that the Whitgift foundation closed the girls school a couple of years ago means that it was obvious that sooner or later Trinity would become more co ed given that Whitgift is boys only. Trinity got 45 million pounds from the foundation to invest in the school and they are building 3 storey building etc - don’t think they are struggling or that the foundation would invest in something that’s underperforming! They also said they are growing to 1400 pupils in total in phases.
But go with your gut feeling - if you don’t think it is the right place, go with your other offer. I mean, if push comes to shove and your child is not happy (in any school in general) you just change schools. It’s a big decision of course and you hope to make the right one for your family but if it does not work out you just find another school. HTH

I really dont think thats true at all as they are still oversubscribed! My son joined Jbugs Sept 25 and we knew a number of people who were placed on the waiting list at the time and others who were not offered a place. They will be taking on more pupils when they go co-ed not keeping to the same numbers.

Hi all, hope you’re well and narrowing in on a decision! Needed some advice re: Trinity. Our prep school is steering us away from it a bit, suggesting that they’re going co-ed because they’re potentially struggling with applications dropping, and not filling all their places? Has anyone heard anything around this? My understanding was they were growing the school rather than having the same number of pupils with an even girl/boy split, so I didn’t think applicant lists was the driver…?

That's brilliant. Congrats!

We got 10%!

Wondering if anyone here got their sons accepted at both Emanuel and Trinity 10+ and if so, which one they are leaning towards? We are going to use the taster days to help decide but wanted to check with this group too!