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.

Just, fair question. From my perspective we are only looking at 2 schools for him, his brother's and Trinity. Alleyns is just to see. The grammars were to provide support in the event that he had a bad exam day at our preferred school (ie here are a selection of other exams he did pass, but we still prefer you, and here is our cheque). Those wouldn't be necessary if I had full faith in my prep school head. In fairness ds wanted to sit the grammars as his class was divided into the "bright boys" who sat, and the ones who would probably never have passed.

I know it sounds as if he's sat for every school in South London (and beyond) but in reality it is just 3, one aspirational, one hopefully realistic and one safe-ish.

DS's letter from Dulwich says that he'll be expected to read a passage quietly and then answer questions on it, and do a couple of maths questions. Hard to believe that his maths and English were both weak, because I'm fairly sure his NVR would have been a bit dodgy as well, so I can only assume that's the standard DC format.

That has to be right. They are not going to tailor the interview letters to DCs (although they may tailor the interviews themselves). Haven't got it with me here, but I think our letter said the same.

LadyM - sounds sensible. Is it Alleyns that is aspirational then in your book? Of higher "standing" than the other two? And would you then accept that if it came off?

Ds is only interested in co-ed, I'm trying to sell him Trinity on the basis that there are some girls! Ds went through the league tables and I think Alleyns was the top co-ed (or else second to Brighton College, but I wasn't prepared to look at a 13+ school given he is at an 11+ prep).

Has anyone had a W call today ? Alas nothing here as yet :(

From memory there is an initial flurry of calls and then a mix of letters and calls. No news here from Trinity either.

Just trying to understand Whitgifts curriculum/terminology. Why don't they have year 7 onwards like everyone else? What is lower third and so on when its at home? Agghh..

As far as I can tell: year 6 (10+ entry) is lower first, year 7 is upper first, and so on through the following upper third (but no second??!!) lowever fifth (but no fourth??), etc.

Is that right. Odd numbers only until you get to sixth form.

Lower first = year 6, Upper first = year 7
Lower third = year 8, Upper third = year 9
Lower fifth = year 10, Upper fifth = year 11

So where are years 2 and 4? I've never understood that :)

I remember the Whitgift Open morning, asking the boys who were showing me round what year they were in. They said lower third and I asked what year came next and they had no idea . They agreed it was very confusing!

Hello everyone - have only just found your blog so apologies for my late arrival to the party. Just to answer an earlier query about the W 10+ - we have not heard yet and neither have the four other people I know of whose children have entered at 10+ level. So, I'm guessing/desperately hoping that W are still working through the 11+ applicants first. Hope this helps. Right, back to the wine bottle........

Welcome aboard misery loves company the more the merrier still waiting for the 11plus call ....

Anyone got any ideas on where it is possible to park tomorrow? Trying to work out whether train or car will be less stressful.

What if you got tomorrow LadyMuck? Interview somewhere.

Here's the thing. What to wear to interview at W? Not DS (school uniform for him) Smart office wear for me, I suppose. Should I get DH to wear a suit?

Alleyns tomorrow.

The teachers will be in suits, so a suit won't be too formal. Chinos and blazer etc also fine. I don't honestly believe that they're really making offers on the basis of your sartorial style. It is of course the one time when you're meant to look like someone's mum!

LadyMuck,

Parking is an issue. We parked 10-15 min away even on weekends (just driving down on streets perpendicular to Townley Road), but once got lucky and parked right next to the school. And this was NOT during rush hour. So no idea how it's in the morning when everyone is doing a drop-offs, coaches, etc. We will be driving because North Dulwich doesn't work too well for us, and other stations are far. But if connection to North Dulwich works for you - it's literally a 5 min walk.

Good luck to all tomorrow!

Bear in mind that there are some nuisance roadworks around Alleyn's at the moment as well.

Just asked that very question of someone in a pm for the DC interview. Given that it's a weekend and it's not a parental interview so much as a small group talk by Dr Spence while DS is put through his paces, I was assuming mum jeans are OK provided I wear heels and carry a proper bag, not running shoes and a Sainsbury's bag for life. Sound about right?

As long as the jeans do not have tears in them!

No, they're fairly dark blue and they're intact! (if somewhat straining at the moment )

He prob won't notice tbh and anyway they are interested in your son not you....

The Dulwich mums come in s variety of shapes, sizes and shades. There is a big yummy mummy contingent but there is also quite a big non yummy mummy contingent, same as Trinity, less yummy than Whitgift or Alleyns.

So don't worry.

Driving to Alleyns is awful in rush/ school hour. Either set off at crack if sparrow fart, or be prepared to walk quite a long way. The roadworks are making it even worse with some roads closed.

Seriously, set off early.

ancientbuchanan thanks - I was wondering about that. It had a fairly grounded feel (which suits me, as we've got a lump sum for school fees but we live frugally) but I was wondering if perhaps I was deluding myself. Your description is spot on what I would hope for - a yummy contingent is not a bad thing - reminds me to keep my inner bag lady, well, inner.

Ok, thanks for the (not) driving tips! The school bus passes us at the same time as we would be getting our train, hence the temptation just to follow it... But I'd need to be able to park at the other end.