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.

I think at this stage Teddington they'll be trying to sort out the co-curricular auditions/assessments, as well as interviews for the first few days next week. They do try to avoid interview/audition clashes, hence why some non cocurricular boys will be called for early interviews, but otherwise , it will probably be a waiting game for another week. My son's brass teacher is only just getting her audition schedules through for this Thursday (and she is on the audition panel for at least 2 of the local schools for all the age groups).

FFS - just had a postcard from Alleyn's saying "invited for interview on Saturday 25 January or Saturday 1 February".
Website Key Dates bit says Saturday 25th January – Saturday 1st February 2014 (inclusive): Interviews for selected candidates
Letter before the exam said "Interviews will take place on Saturday 25 January and Saturday 1 February and during the intervening week."

DS can't do 1 February. He may well not get an interview anyway, but do you think I should email the registrar at Alleyn's and say he can't do 1 February now?

Hi Friends joined just now but this discussion has been a lifeline. Love you all for the great insights and the handholding

My son has to appear for the DC interview tomorrow. After tomorrow do we actually have to wait till 14th for a confirmation!!!! Does anyone have any experience about this . Can we just call them up a week later and know the outcome??

We're in the same boat Mrs Steptoe: DS cannot do 1st February. I'm waiting to see for that he gets an interview offer at all. I'm assuming if people cannot do the Saturdays then that is when the midweek interviews kick in.

New poster but been following the posts for a while - thank you for the tips and info on this excrutiating process - can't wait for this to be over! Call from T yesterday - like other poster commented - short and to the point; interview next week; DS asked to bring something with him to "break the ice". Letter from W yesterday; interview next week; told DS does not need to bring anything with him but will be asked a few questions based on his answers during the exams so I assume areas where perhaps he did not answer as well as expected.... fingers crossed all goes well!

WIPMOM, afraid you do have to still wait until 14th (unless you applied to Worth) - all the Trinity group schools, of which DC is one have an agreement [otherwise we'd all be bombarded by calls as they try to fit in everyone as fast as possible to beat other school offers].

Often people come away from interviews with a strong sense that they will get an offer though. Good luck!

Fwiw - I understand current parents helping out at W interviews have slots running into "week 3".

Thanks LadyMuck, that was a useful info!

Just want to add my thanks to all for the info/hand holding/ and 'calm down dear'-ing that this thread offers - sadly doesn't stop me watching the phone though.

We're 10+ for W, plus applied for sports sch - relieved to hear somelikeithot say they didn't get invite for assessment until late. Todays post has come and gone with no invites, just self assessment reminder!

DS at Emanuel today too - feel old hands at process now having done one last week!

Best of luck all

This might seem a silly question at this time- but if we had to compare DC vs Seven oaks school in Kent. Which do you think would be better

They're both excellent schools.

Obvious differences are co-ed v single sex and a levels v IB. Felt both schools had a similar ethos and approach.
I would look carefully at transport especially if ds is involved in team sports. Have a look at the fixture lists on the school websites or schoolsports.com to see where you may be spending your Saturdays.

Yes, Alleyns postcard has confused me too, I had assumed 300 interviews would be spread out a bit, not just on Saturdays.

I hope Whitgift are gentle at interview (for us and him!).

Am I right in thinking that for Saturday sports fixtures we parents will only need to make sure they get to their school at which point they are taken with their team mates to any away matches?

I know this is the case for DC but just wondering about Whitgift and Alleyns.

Hi @mummyinatizz- We're 10+ W too and not heard anything yet. We've too applied for the sports scholarship and have been informed that the letter inviting them to Monday's trials will be sent out today. I take it, if we don't receive a letter about Monday then its a 'no thanks'?

Just confirm so W are also sending out letters for interviews as well as calling ?

thanks woodcote75 - good intell - will be stalking postie more than usual tomorrow. Assuming they can afford 1st class!

Fixtures: yes the schools will transport them, but it is normal for family to go and support, not every week necessarily.

W sports scholarships: these are hugely oversubscribed, and only a third to half of sports schol applicants will be called to assessment. The sports dept choose who they call, so a "no" to sports assessment does not necessarily mean that you won't get a call to interview.

ladydepp yes same applies for W just need to get them to the school for away sports fixtures.

Is the Alleyns postcard a third postcard, or is your post slow? I think we've had a thanks for your application postcard, a letter, another postcard to say don't call us we'll call you but that was nearly a week ago I think...

You're missing one, LadyMuck - this one starts "We were very pleased to see your child for our 11+ entrance and scholarship examination today" so today's the first day you could have received it.

It's the first thing they've sent out suggesting that interviews were Saturday 25.1 OR 1.2. All the other information has said 25.1 TO 1.2.

Still wondering whether to email the reg.

Hello All, new to this thread but finding it really useful. Still anxiously waiting for news from T. Those that had telephone calls for interviews, can I ask are your DS going for scholarships next week? I know they have mentioned in a letter that if no news from them by Friday 1pm and you have a scholarship you need to call the school.

TeddingtonMum - the interview invitation from W was received by post, no phone call.

Thanks MrsSteptoe - it has just arrived.

Hmm 50/50 chance of the 1st, and we're in the 2nd half of candidate numbers....

I think that as the interviews will be arranged by phone then I will hold out and wait for the call. Or at least, wait until the 24th....

Does Saturday interview mean "not in school uniform" then? Ie I have to find something other than jogger bottoms for him...

There were some DC in school uniform last year when we were there but many (most I'd say) weren't. I'm sure it makes no difference either way though.