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

[koss]

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.

I will never understand why they ask that 'what do your parents do' question. Is it an unofficial credit check? Just seems odd, it is clearly not about finding out about the family as it would then be tell me about your family.

My DS wrongly said I was an investment banker - i am definitely not but the minute he told me his answer I literally saw any offers of help in form of scholarships (in my dreams of course) melting away.

The DS of a friend said his Mum was a SAHM and his Dad was unemployed. He was hoping they'd feel sorry for him - he got a place, but no help!

Okay that is one theory out of the window - but still don't understand the purpose of the question.

I know. And my DS says he wasn't asked about what he's reading at the moment. All very odd.

Don't you put your job down on his application form? Maybe some years are touger if there are lots of siblings in the mix.

What happens if you get no school offers? That was last might's anxiety dream!

Good point, Moomin.. it is on the form.
I guess they want them to talk, but my DS is deeply uninterested in my adult life and would talk much better about his current book, and surely reveal something about himself.

I would imagine that question is as much about making sure they are engaged in what goes on within their family and aware of what their parents do.

The scholarship boy I know has parents that are in high level jobs so I don't think all scholarships are based on affordability...more attracting highly academic boys to the school (and therefore boosting exam results).

I hasten to add that DS had to be corrected on how he described my job...on the journey to the interview! Which was slightly alarming.

My DS was well-drilled in how to describe us!

I shudder to think how DS would describe us!

Exactly - that's why he was prepped....
my Mum is always asleep or on MN and my Dad is at work doing typing and chatting

I should say that the number of boys admitted at 10+ is not large. (They are admitted to what City calls "old grammer" which is a single class of about twenty -or so - pupils). The great majority of boys are admitted at 11+

And it is not unusual for someone unsuccessful at 10+ to succeed at 11+

I should say that the number of boys admitted at 10+ is not large. (They are admitted to what City calls "old grammer" which is a single class of about twenty -or so - pupils). The great majority of boys are admitted at 11+

And it is not unusual for someone unsuccessful at 10+ to succeed at 11+

I suppose its like Colett Court having the 2 sets of exams for 11+ entry (an earlier one for state schools deferred entry). CLS used to have a junior school. Life would be so much easier if it was all cut and dried by age 4!

Slightly off topic, but several boys who were not offered places at 10+ at Colet Court re-tried for 11+ a year later and wereoffered places.
Good luck to all those going to CLB - DS was offered a place at 10+ and we declined it as he was also offered Colet Court which is much more local to us. (so not a 100% take-up of offers)
DS would have been delighted to go to CLB - he said they were allowed to play football on the roof between exams )

To be clear there are now two OG classes

We're looking at CC too. Is it hideously competative (asks she, timidly)?

Moomin, it is very competitive to get it, but a lovely school, genuinely supportive and friendly - and eg there are boys with dyslexia who are very well provided for.

Who do I need to kill?

Hi everyone, stumbled upon this thread by accident and have read the posts with great interest. DS has managed to pass and has been offered a place at Clsb. However, now that we are faced with the reality of accepting a place we are faced with the dilemma of him traveling on the tube on his own. We love the school and he loves it too but we are now worried about his safety. So my question is how close or how far do boys at Clsb travel from. We are in south london by the way. Many thanks...

DS was at the old location, so it was easy for him. Check the tube travel planner. We are looking to move DS to a school with a 40 min commute and I am shitting myself at the thought of that!

Is Blackfriars open yet? It's not all that far from Cannon street.

Thanks for responding MHippos, his commute would be about an hour having checked the route.... Just wonder whether that will be too long and as I mentioned the safety aspect...

Arewetheryet - my DS is starting in September too and will be using public transport - this is how the majority of students get to the school. I see quite a number of City students on my line and our commute is about 35-40 minutes depending on train.

I suspect many students will have similar commute to your DS - the train stations around the school are lively and busy and are safe in my opinion, with many responsible adults around. One of my colleagues with a DS at the school said after the first few weeks of first term his DS was insitent on doing the journey himself.

It will also get easier (for you) as they grow older.

Another question - do the firstcapitalconnect (thameslink) trains go by your part of South London? If yes then it is a direct train to Blackfriars; which is now open.

Can you find out if there's anyone nearby so that they could commute together? DH (not DS at the old location - I'm not that old!) was communing by tube from 11.

I would go with him - if possible - for a little while to see if you spot any uniforms on the tube and try to strike up a conversation with them!