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.

There are some very good, thought provoking posts about putting school offers and rejections into perspective in the SW London girl's school thread - sorry - I don't know how to link it here.
It is very hard to keep perspective in the middle of it all - I have been through it for the last two years in a row and I feel for you all.

Agreed. Here's the link

Has anyone else noticed that the girls' school thread is full of really well written, thought provoking, intelligent posts, while most of us appear to be lying in wait for the postman while eating a packet of Jaffa Cakes and/or getting drunk? Or is it just my interpretation?

Its what having a son, rather than a daughter, does to you, I suppose.

It's that big South East - South West divide again - it's vast

In so many ways, GetMeOut, in so many ways...

JustAnotherUserName I only mentioned applying to W and state schools on my form and had our interview on Wed, first day of interviews

Obviously girl parents are marvellous, but I should point out that some of those posters are quite a lot further through the education process and have gained wisdom and perspective - that's why I (who has not) have come to lurk over here!

Has not? Have not I mean.

Hi JustAnotherUserName Which schools are these? I thought all offer letters are due arnd mid feb!

ClaraMaugham have you brought Jaffa Cakes?

I'll just pop out to the shops...

Popping over from the girls' thread...

Yes, I've been through this once already (can't you see the grey hairs and wrinkles) and that was horrendously stressful, and I thought it would be easier second time around because I would know a bit more, but dd2 is a totally different child to dd1 so it's like doing it all for the first time...

The sense of relief once it's all over is immense, let me assure you. Just don't look at the bottles in the recycling bin

Jaffa cakes ? I moved onto vodka days ago !!, another day no letter had a false alarm as got yet another letter from the foundation saw the whitgift stamp and got excited nearly wept when I saw it was yet another letter questioning my bursary application arghhhhhhhh
Its the not knowing I can't handle, everything is hanging on this including a house move and I can't start anything until I know where his going.

I've been following this thread even though DS1 hasn't sat any private exams. DS1 passed Wilson's and Wallington and he did the Sutton stage 2 test. Our back-up is a much improved local comp.

Those of you whose sons did the Sutton grammars and private school exams, what is your preference if you get the chance to choose?

I guess I'm clinging to the idea that some of those who passed will choose a private school if they can and thus increase DS1's chances of getting into one of the Sutton grammars. Obviously, the grammars have the advantage of being free so some will choose them if they can't really afford the private school.

WIPMOM - had W and DC interviews already. Would be delighted with either. As far as we can tell, it all went as well as we could expect. No obvious signs of worry from the DS debrief - he seemed to be chatty enough. Yes, they won't write until 13th Feb with the final outcome. If we had firm offers now from these, we'd stop the process in relation to other schools further down our list of priorities. But sadly can't count chickens so another test to be done

DC didn't pass the grammar school exams (only the selective eligibility) - however, our state top two are two equally competitive comprehensives, so we have had this conversation about top state choice versus independent offer.

Our feeling at this point is that even if he gets one of the two top states, we'll go still independent IF it's either DC or Alleyn's. If he gets Trinity (which is a bit inconvenient for us) or if he gets St Benedict's or Emanuel, we'd go with the state option.

HTH

SweetPenelope - DS2 passed Wilson and Wallington, sat Sutton too. Interview with W done. Waiting to hear from T...again...no reply from them .

SweetP some boys who are offered places at Sutton Grammars will decline them to take up Indie places. Some children will only get confirmation at a grammar school in September when it is discovered that someone does not turn up to take their place! I have even heard rumours of parents accepting places both at Indie and State and not making their minds up till the last moment.

Agree with CheezePlease if we get a good (scholarship/bursary) offer from W/T then we would take up indie offer over grammar.

MrsS and others going for DC. At our meeting with Dr Spence he told us that there were 380 taking the test, 140 being interviewed, and of course we know there are 70 11+ places. How many offers do you think DC will make?

Just We had a conversation about this upthread, and both thought as far as we could recall that they make 120 offers. Dr Spence, I know, is anxious not to over offer and end up with a bulge because of an excess of acceptances, so I wouldn't be too shocked if they make fewer offers than that.

MrsS. You are right (just looked back). Beginning of last week - seems a lifetime ago. And I participated in that discussion. Oops.

Yes. So 140 interviews. 120 offers. 70 places. Sounds about right. 85% chance of an offer if you get to interview stage at DC all else being equal. I like that!

SweetP - DS sat passed Wilsons and Wallington and sat Sutton 2nd stage too. Still don't know what we will do on the off-chance that all the offers come in. It would have to be a hefty scholarship to pull us away from the free grammar places so we'll see. If he doesn't get a place then we won't need to worry about the decision!!

DS had W interview today. He went with DH and they both seemed to think it was super positive but that seems to be what everyone is saying.

Next week we have Monday - Music at W, Tues Music at T, Weds Art at T, Thurs Art at W. And then DONE and sleeeeeeeeeep!

Wish I could look at others' art portfolios and see the standard. I have no idea what they are looking for. I think DS is great but am possibly a bit biased!

DS had W interview with the Headmaster today and when I got back we had a letter about sports scholarship on Wednesday. Obviously the two are not linked.

Interview seemed to go well. I also had a chat on my own with the Head which was informative.

Got KCS tomorrow - anyone else doing it?