The Trinity-Whitgift-South London school 10+/11+ thread of 2014

[Ladymuck]

A few days early I know, but most of the entrance exams will be out of the way in a fortnight or so, and I'm sure there are a number of us who are in need of or or as we watch our (still very little) boys forget everything that they may have learned over the last couple of years. And there are many veterans of the process who will hopefully be around to reassure us that we will all come through this unscathed.

Yes, I understood what you meant... but there's no shortage of "if you don't ask, you don't get" advice rattling around (not necessarily on MN), so no wonder people try it on once the school's shown a sniff of interest. I wouldn't dare. I'm convinced if I get a call from any of the schools, it's going to take all my self-restraint not to blurt out "are you sure you've got the right child?"

And don't get me wrong, I would be among the first to make such a suggestion. Just trying to give myself hope for ds...

We've also been up and down over going for a co-curricular scholarship or not (not sport!). Ds would be borderline for such, but we thought it might add to a borderline academic result. I guess I'm not sure we would want to be labelled as timewasters though...

How is your ds faring with his marathon 3 days ahead?! Had to shake ds awake today, so we may have been overdoing it!

The terminology CLBS use is a little confusing. They use "scholarship" to mean both non-means-tested academic scholarships which (the normal useage) and means-tested scholarships they call "sposored awards" (which are full-fee and what other schools would call bursary).

And then on page 21 of the recent report they say "17 scholars have been
awarded substantial bursaries by HSBC covering the majority of their school fees". Which confuses me even further. Since their admissions website doesn't mention these and it is hard to reconcile with the rest of the report (are there 5 or 17 "bursaries").

I think they are fairly clear though that for the 5 "bursary" successes (which presumably) in sept 2013 at 11+ there were initially 160 boys that went through the "initial screening" process (not sure what that is, since we are not in that pot).

Likewise, I should try and get on with something else. This doesn't really matter...

Well, he seems OK so far... but he slept quite late this morning by his standards. I think I might just send him to bed early with a book tonight, as he and DH will need to be at the station by 0730 - St B's is a direct journey, but a long one!
I hope they don't view parents who applied to good state schools where places are extremely competitive as timewasters. I think it was Trinity who asked which states you've applied to: it must be obvious that if we are offered a lottery place at the Oratory or CVMS, we would struggle to justify paying school fees (though it would be a debate what to do, not a foregone conclusion).

Hi do you think if you have applied for a bursary but not scored high enough for them to consider it you could still be offered a full fees place?

Also does anyone know if Whitgift split the English papers -essay than comprehension into two separate sittings?

Yes, I believe that those who try for but don't get a bursary but would have still met full-fee standard will be offered a full fee place (in case they can pull the money fro family/friends etc).

In terms of English, I believe that there are 2 separate timed papers, but we haven't applied (yet!) so probably best to examine any instructions sent out carefully. Ds likes the Trinity letter best as it sets out the exact exam times!

They do. Two papers for English. Explained on the sample paper

The Whitgift comprehension paper is more of a SPaG paper imo in case you were assuming a classic comprehension.

Hi do you think if you have applied for a bursary but not scored high enough for them to consider it you could still be offered a full fees place?

This is absolutely the case for the Whitgift Foundation (Old Palace in the example I'm thinking of)

They may also not like late bursary applications because of the amount of work they take. Also, asking for a bursary post-offer in particular would be difficult as I imagine the whole pot would have been allocated at that point.

Yes, the English paper is "non-standard" and has correct the typos etc and punctuate. There is comprehension but that it is multiple choice - so unusual in no writing at all really in one of the papers. Made up for though by the extended writing in the other.

Only one day to go for W. Any news from DC anyone?

No, no news from DC! Not really expecting any till Friday at the earliest (and then, only if it's a 1st class letter terminating the process).

On the bursary q front, I know one lad who applied to W at 10+ and got a full fee offer but no bursary, but reapplied at 11 and got his bursary (and a sport schol).

Thanks all. Feeling very nervous. What will i feel like tomorrow?!!

Will be glad when Saturday's over, as that'll be his fourth exam and the third in 3 days. After that, he's got Alleyn's on Tuesday and that's IT. After that, I'm incinerating all these festering practice papers.

What will we feel like waiting for the W letter/call for interview to arrive? Looking at the old threads, last year it took ages for some people to get the news (good or - worst - bad). At least the likes of DC say people will get written to "within a week" for interviews next week. Anyone know if W are going to be a little fairer this year than last?

Not sure if this is good or bad news just spoke to admissions they confirm expecting 700 to sit tomorrow. Ekkkk !!!! apparently its structured like a school day with lunch breaks/ play and lunch time eye so they have a good day ..... The downside of that is they have such a good time that if they don't get a place they'll be gutted. apparently will start making contact via phone from this Saturday regarding interviews but assured me that they are working randomly.
Off to the travelodge tonight have finished studying just trying to keep him calm me I'm a nervous wreak I haven't slept property for weeks ....

Ekkkkk indeed. But presumably that is across all the entry points (10+, 11+, 12+, 13+ and 14+). Stay calm. Hope Travelodge has a

I keep trying to remind myself that if our DCs don't get a place, yes there will be a short-term disappointment, but in the longer term, provided they do end up at a school where they enjoy themselves, it won't have a lasting effect.

Ahh ok so actually going back to the query with the candidate number it would be feasible that there are 300 odd 11 + applications ? phew was about to go into a meltdown !!..... re wine I will be taking my own vodka lol am guessing I'm going to meet a few other anxious parents in the lobby with watch out for peacock feathers !!!...
Have resigned myself to if its to be it will happen :)

Wishing I was heading from the Travel Lodge, hope traffic ok. Will aim for super early!!

Tomorrow is 10+ and 11+. My wild guess is 250 for 10+, 450 for 11+.

And do remember that across both age groups, those aren't bad odds really as they have up to 200 in a year group.

Hi PP as we are coming from teddington there is no way I'm sitting in traffic for 2 hours in the morning getting stressed so splashed out £28 which I thought was reasonable so just finished dinner waiting for the rush hour to tail off and we will be heading off.

Good luck to all sitting the test. Mine are over the moon as test day means a day off for them. I remember the stress like it was yesterday