Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Whitgift 11 plus

51 replies

havinganightmare · 02/01/2012 22:17

Is anyone else's DS sitting this week? I've lost the letter and am in a complete tizz. Not sure if he needs to know how to time himself between the essay and the rest of the English. Does anyone know what he needs to take with him - is he allowed apencil case or plastic bag???? We're completely ill prepared and I got him to try a Maths Bond paper this morning and he totally cocked it up..... Does anyone know what the pass mark actually is and how bad does it have to be for them not to get interviewed.
Sorry to sound like the Mother from hell (I try not to be...) but personal circumstances have meant that this is an extremely stressful family time without the added pressure of an 11 plus..... any helpful suggestions or words of comfort if any exist would be so appreciated!!!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

havinganightmare · 06/01/2012 21:10

How did he get on SoupDragon? My DS had headache and was very quiet on collection... and hasn't said much- trying not to read too much into that!! He and his mates told us that they were told papers were being marked last night !! Good luck with T Tuesday! Thankfully we're not doing that!!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 07/01/2012 13:43

He feels he did well. Lord knows what that means - he only didn't answer 5 questions but whether he answered the other however many remains to be seen. Thankfully he chose the "describe a place in winter/summer" writing option and tells me that no one died :o

They do mark a chunk of them quickly. DS1 was interviewed in the week following the exam (I even think they may have phoned on the Saturday!) I guess they have a lot to get through and need to start the interview process quickly. I am on tenterhooks.

basildonbond · 07/01/2012 14:42

don't read anything into how long it takes them to ask your ds in for interview - it was three weeks (very, very long weeks) before W asked ds and he ended up getting a scholarship - that year the T exam was on the Saturday before W - T rang us as we were on the way to W to ask ds in for interview!

good luck - it's a v stressful process

SoupDragon · 07/01/2012 14:47

I agree (although DS1 was called quickly for both). I think they mark a batch quickly to get the interview process underway. Friends of his were called much later and still got places.

moan · 08/01/2012 13:11

My DS is having a whitgift interview. I heard they interview 550. Boys at the 11+ after the exams. Received a call 2 days after the exam. What do I need to prepare him and how ? Our first choice school

SoupDragon · 08/01/2012 13:23

Personally, I wouldn't prepare him too much (in fact, I didn't prepare DS1 at all really) as thy then sound coached. IMO they want to see their personality and see what their raw potential is.

Make the item he takes in something that he can talk about enthusiastically - it doesn't matter what it is so don't make him construct a working scale model of the Hadron Collider out of loo roll inners or anything like that. Unless that's the kind of thing that floats his boat :)

SoupDragon · 08/01/2012 13:26

You could ask him to think about what he liked about the school and why he thinks it would be good but try to make sure the answers sound like they are coming from him rather than him parroting something he has been told to say.

Make sure he can talk enthusiastically about his hobbies and about what he enjoys doing, that kind of thing.

DS1 says they didn't ask him to do any further exam questions (but Trinity did) and they basically just talked about him.

Marbleslonggone · 08/01/2012 15:25

I can't quite believe it but we got a call yesterday as well - although I sounded such an idiot on the phone that I'm surprised she didn't try and get out of it! However I'm concerned because I asked if my DS should take anything with him and was firmly told "no only his parents" at which I laughed over laughed hysterically ...... Do you think I should shove something in his pocket just in case? I know they 've got lots to interview but do you really think it's over 500 at 11 plus??? There didn't seem to be that many there - more like 250/300 kids.... Which is plenty enough!

SoupDragon · 08/01/2012 15:32

I woud have said there were at least 20 rows of at least 30 boys in the sports hall by the time DS2 appeared.

As I said, DS1 had to take a "thing" with him - I thought it also said this on the application form or somewhere in the prospectus this year. Maybe not.

I"m fairly certain I came across as a complete imbecile because I was so in shock when they phoned for DS1. They didn't count it against him

Marbleslonggone · 08/01/2012 15:45

Here's hoping my DS maths is better than mine. I was a bitnovwhelmed with the whole thing so I'm sure you're right..... To be on safe side he can put something inpocket - will check not the DS or the Hangover DVD... If the phone call didn't put them off p, interviewing us may well do - we are more the munsters than your typical 2.2 family!! Good luck to everyone.

moan · 08/01/2012 17:12

hi soupdragon. should both parents take DS for the interview?

SoupDragon · 08/01/2012 17:16

I took DS1 alone. Mainly because I can not stand to be in the same room as his father. Anyway, it didn't seem to be a problem, no one queried it :)

frankies69 · 09/01/2012 11:58

Hi all

My DS is sitting for T on Tuesday, having sat W also.

I am still hoping for that phone call for an interview. But having seen they interview over 500 roughly this gives me eternal hope.

Do they always phone for interview or do letters ever come out??

SoupDragon · 09/01/2012 12:36

As I understand it from talking to friends, they phone some and send some letters out.

Ladymuck · 09/01/2012 12:50

Agree with Soupy. First batch are phoned, next lot tend to be letters. It can take a couple of weeks to be called for interview. That said I would be surprised if they interviewed over 500 candidates at 11+ - I suspect that that may be close to the number for 10+, 11+, 12+ and 13+ combined. It is impossible not to fret especially when you know that the interviews have started. You'll need a manicure for the day before!

frankies69 · 09/01/2012 13:42

Manicure think I going to need the false nails put on!!!!

The worry is going to add to my grey hairs!!!!

My DS was so happy when he came out of the exam, lets hope his optomism is carried through to interview.

Atleast he has given it his best shot!!

SoupDragon · 09/01/2012 13:46

No no no. One needs to wear white cotton and lace gloves to Whitgift.

frankies69 · 09/01/2012 13:51

So no paroxide blonde hair...tight jeans and white boots then????

SoupDragon · 09/01/2012 13:55

SoupDragon · 09/01/2012 13:56

I did see a woman picking up after the 11+ wearing leopard print leggings and high heels - was that you?

Ladymuck · 09/01/2012 13:57

There is a wide variety of Whitgift parents... but possibly not that wide!

frankies69 · 09/01/2012 14:07

oh to have the figure for leopard print leggins and high heeled boots!!! ha ha

I needed something to put that amazing smile back on my face

Well lets hope it is all worth it in the end

SoupDragon · 09/01/2012 15:51

I"m hoping they don't red boys out aced on the state their parent was in when they picked up after the exam. I was happily searching the crowds for DS2 and realised I was wearing my dog walking clothes.

frankies69 · 09/01/2012 16:18

oooh just on another thought....does the uniform have to come from the school shop or can the basics ie socks etc be brought from Hewitts or anywhere else??

basildonbond · 09/01/2012 19:15

Lower school (blue) shirts, blazer, tie, pullover, fleece, bag and sports kits have to come from the school shop - you get an appointment to go in for a fitting during the summer term before your ds starts.

There are 2nd-hand uniform sales which are v good value for money and there will be one in the summer term (June usually I think)

Socks, trousers, white shirts for upper school can come from anywhere, although the trousers aren't that easy to get as they need to be charcoal - John Lewis do them but they're no cheaper than the school shop ones, although I think they're better quality

Hth

Flip

1 2 3