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Original poster

Help! 10+ interview in City of London school for boys

194 replies

koss · 03/02/2013 14:21

Hello, I am new to this site. My DS has shortlisted for the CLSB 10+ interview. Has anyone got any previous experience? Just want some help what type of preparation needed etc.

OP posts:
hellsbelles · 13/02/2013 14:10

well perhaps all the applicants were so brilliant they had to! or maybe they didn't have as many as we thought go for interview?

OhDearConfused · 13/02/2013 14:13

That would be great
I do think there is a correlation between participating on this forum and success though!
Well done all!
Fingers crossed still for me

Toomanyworriedsonhere · 13/02/2013 14:18

MNers clearly produce the right kind of DS!

And I really do hope you get good news soon, ODC.

hellsbelles · 13/02/2013 15:02

there does seem to be doesn't there - this is certainly the thread to be on. Funny to think all our DS's will be at school together after all our worrying!

ODC - the wait must be horrible - you are being very calm though! I hope you get your news soon...

OhDearConfused · 13/02/2013 15:30

Sorry team. Let us all down - no clean sweep. A no for us.
Back to the drawing board.
Boo hoo.

Shaded · 13/02/2013 15:49

ODC am genuinely sorrry to hear this. Anything I say now may sound trite but thinking of you and your DS right now.

Farewelltoarms · 13/02/2013 16:08

As total outsider and interloper, I'm sorry too ODC but I think you should be pleased with how he did (friend's son did it last year and they sort at laughed at her on the phone when they told her just by how far he'd missed the exam results necessary to get an interview).
But horrible nonetheless as you feel that he got so far for nought.
I hope you feel it wasn't entirely wasted and when you feel more chipper, then maybe think what you might have gained from it.

Moominsarehippos · 13/02/2013 16:11

You can try again though, can't you? Do you get feedback if you didn't get in? Maybe your current Head can ask or even out in a word for you?

hellsbelles · 13/02/2013 16:32

Ohdear. Really sorry to hear that but hopefully it's great practise for the 11 plus. It was a ridiculously tricky year as there were so many competing he did bloody well to get to interview stage. I hope he is suitably proud that he did.

Toomanyworriedsonhere · 13/02/2013 17:23

So sorry ODC - I hope you're both not too upset. I do think it's great practice for next year, but I'm sorry you'll both have to go through it.
Very sad.

Probably little consolation, but a friend of ours didn't get through at 10+, but is there now and very happy. He also had offers from other schools.

OhDearConfused · 13/02/2013 17:40

Thank you all. A little upset (to say the least), as was DS. He's now at a play date and we have a holiday coming up.

No feedback as yet. I had heard that schools don't give them. But I will give a call and ask when I have calmed down a little.

I am assuming (since letter did not mention it) that we are not on a waiting list or anything. (But do correct me if I am wrong.) Will confirm tomorrow.

Good to know that someone did get in having failed at 10+!! (I thought it might be over with our chances there, because in fact City was our favourite and will likely be next year as well.)

However, there was no encouragement for us to tryagain. Unlike Dulwich which in its rejection (we applied for an "occasional" place there - they had 2 such into the last year of their prep and 25 applicants, so not really a proper entry and not really much chance!) said "DS did well, only 2 places, but do try again next year."

Need a Wine

Toomanyworriedsonhere · 13/02/2013 17:48

I really did expect to be in your position ODC, which I know is little consolation, but I do feel for you and your DS - he did well in a very competitive year, but it must be hard for him and they are so young!

There really is hope - the friend of ours who missed first time is also doing really well academically.

Have a Wine from me.

Shaded · 13/02/2013 18:32

ODC please do ring them for feedback. When deciding whether to enter DS for the exam, the lady in charge of the admissions assured me that she would give me feedback on strengths and areas to focus on if I ask after the process, irrespective of outcome. So pls reach out to her.

Original poster
koss · 13/02/2013 19:01

ODC very sorry to hear that. Feeling for you honestly. Your DS can try again for 11+ and they will see him as a fresh candidate. So no impact for sitting in 10+ .
So not to worry. Your DS did a brilliant job to go to this far. You should be proud of him. This experience will help him in 11+ for sure.

OP posts:
hellsbelles · 14/02/2013 13:18

ODC - I totally agree with the others. If DS wasn't in I would have called for feedback and entered him for next year. I also know of a boy who didn't get in via 10+ but did at 11+ so it really does seem like there is no disadvantage to re-entering. And of course he'll know the drill and it won't seem so unfamiliar.

And you know what...they do make strange decisions sometimes. I know a couple of boys from last year (from my son's school) that absolutely should have got in - it made absolutely no sense that they didn't and a few got in that I was surprised about! So it'll be helpful for you and DS to understand their reasons...

But I'm really sorry that you have to deal with this. I hope DS is o.k.

OhDearConfused · 14/02/2013 14:05

Thank you all. I am trying to get through to admissions, but failing so far.

DS was upset, but nothing that the present of a new games console couldn't fix! [It hasn't yet dawned on him though that he has to go through this all again (x more schools) next year!]

I can't help but wonder if he came accross at interview as immature (he is May born and still perhaps a little young for big school). The maths questions he mentioned having been asked were very well answered (I know my maths!), but his weak point (like many boys) is English and he couldn't even remember what he was asked in the comprehension part.

Ah well, I'll hopefully find out soon.

hellsbelles · 14/02/2013 14:15

I'm guessing that the age/maturity can make a big difference and perhaps it's a blessing in disguise (if that is the feedback that they give) that he gets another year before being thrust into the jungle of 'big' school.

As much as I wanted my DS to get in I'm also rather terrified at the thought of him leaving his lovely nurturing school a year earlier than he might have otherwise!

Good luck getting through to them and hopefully you will get some helpful feedback.

Moominsarehippos · 14/02/2013 15:53

Be as sweetie as you can. Maybe there's a waiting list. Not everyone takes up an offer. A child at our school got a full scholarship but went elsewhere - not quite as 'good' a school (there were gasps at the assembly when it was announced and the mum next to me said some Very Bad Words in amazement).

Try to find out as much feedback-wise as possible. Ask if you can automatically put your name down for 11 and 13+ (not sure if they do 13+ or if your current school goes beyond 11+). Have you a back up plan for next year? Speak to your Head too for guidance.

OhDearConfused · 14/02/2013 16:56

Thanks, Moomin, am indeed trying to be sweet (its in my nature). I won't get feedback for a few days for various reasons, and have asked about waiting lists. It wasn't mentioned in letter so assume we are not on one - but I will ask anyway. I do know they do operate a list, but last year it wasn't in fact called on - 45 acceptances, when they only had 40 places!!

Head is likely no use at all (state primary and not at all used to indies let alone 10+!)

Thanks, though...

Moominsarehippos · 14/02/2013 17:02

Are you considering a move to a prep school that will take him to 13+? In the meantime, try to 'beef up' the out of school activities and interests. They look for "leaders" and boys that show curiosity, keenness to learn, manners and confidence.

This was just the dress rehearsal! Most of these boys have been tutored since the crib!

OhDearConfused · 14/02/2013 17:13

To be honest I think you just described my DS!

Toomanyworriedsonhere · 14/02/2013 18:57

I do think your DS did well to pass the exam. Given that there were twice as many candidates as a couple of years ago he must have what they are looking for academically. I can't imagine how they differentiate at interview and nerves might have come into play.

At the end of the interview my DS was told "you are clearly a boy who wants to get involved and is sporty". I wasn't sure whether this was a good thing, but I guess it was. Not sure how true it is!!

Toomanyworriedsonhere · 14/02/2013 18:59

BTW Moomin... have you been lurking all along? I am a lurker of seven years standing and it's funny to think others may have been watching this.

Do you have a DS there?

Moominsarehippos · 14/02/2013 19:14

Not a lurker! The thread just caught my eye.

DH is an old boy (in those days you were told the results straight after the interview) and DS might go there (not sure yet) but we have a little while yet! Its got soooo tough for the schools now (recession my big moominbutt!).

Toomanyworriedsonhere · 14/02/2013 19:57

I agree, how can so many people afford it?
Or maybe lots were having a go and hoping for financial support.
At the interview my DS was asked what his parents do so perhaps he gave the correct answer!

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