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.

Sorry me again, for those attending 11+ W sports assessments later this week, this morning my DS arrived in school uniform for 10+ assessment as instructed, but a number of boys of the 38, maybe even half were already in gym kit. So if its easier for you, I'd say no problem in going in games kit.

Thanks , maybe be I misheard re Alleyns .... I agree Lady it seemed a different group of kids and parents at Alleyns ... Somehow seems slightly more arty and bohemian. Some of the parents of kids he plays rugby at club with would never consider or countenance a co Ed school.

Off to W for a sports assessment tomorrow...whatever happens he loves these days just running after a ball!..

Thanks TCofB, but I can't see anything about the current Oxbridge round? Ie the offers which would have come out a week or so ago? Is this information not shared with parents until after the relevant pupils have left the school?

Any call/letter /postcard from Allenys??

WIPMOM Alleyn's did say at least a week after the exams, which would suggest nothing till tomorrow or Wednesday at the earliest. I have given up on today's post - we often don't get a delivery, depends how many doorbells the postie can be arsed to press to try to get into the building - so we're still in the dark re Trinity, which is preoccupying me somewhat more.

MrsSteptoe I love your humour!
Anyone else going for the T 11+ interview this week? That's the last of our hurdles. Then just wait...for 13th Feb to roll in.
[DS was turned down for sports scholarship at W which he still hasn't got over]

LadyMuck you did a fantastic job in starting this thread, we are nearly reaching the 1000 mark...well before the results day!

Wouldn't expect to see postie for at least another hour, but I have to say that as the Alleyns communication process has been very clear, I'm with Mrs Steptoe: at best we might get a call by end of this Weds for interview this Saturday, at worst it could be as late as next Weds for interview on 1st. Given how clear they've been I wouldn't be surprised by a thanks but no thanks postcard this week if he hasn't made the cut. My only concern is that they do say they will make calls in the early evening (which presumably in Dulwich circles means up until 9pm), so I can't hit the too early!

I don't have a feel for where Alleyns and Dulwich set their respect bars (whereas I know Trinity is currently higher than Whitgift say), but just on the numbers alone it would surely be odd for a boy to be interviewed by DC and not Alleyns?

DS was showing me his latest dance routine for a performance later this month this morning. When I watched his first and only school football match I noted that he was the only boy who skipped rather than ran. I know each school has a wide range of boys, but Alleyns felt far more appropriate than DC for him.

LadyMuck, I can see your point about interviews for DC versus Alleyn's - if you take the girls out of the equation, with 380 applicants for Dulwich and 160 interviews versus 300 boy applicants for Alleyn's and 150 interviews... I can see it going either way, to be honest.

Hello Everyone. I couldnt resist, I called W. The lady abruptly told me that letters are going to be posted all of this week. The wait continues....the post has just arrived, no letter.
I told my son about T, he was really upset. Keeps calling himself a failure (cinema, Zizzi, Ice cream etc had no impact on his mood). He is extremely agitated and acting out of character. Anything I say doesnt seem to work and he reads between the lines. So harsh for a 10 year old.

sigh123 sorry to hear that you're still waiting.

Hang on in there, way further up this post there are comments that interview invites took 2 weeks post interview to go out. there is still plenty of time. best of luck.

Ladies. Loving these posts. It is really helping a newbie like me! Still waiting on a no thanks letter from T for ten plus. Anyone else? Don't want to get too positive if I will come crashing down tomorrow with late post.

Oh Sigh123, that's really hard. I believe your son sat for Eltham College as well - have you heard anything from them?
I know that DS internalised quite a feeling of failure after he passed the selective eligibility test for the Sutton grammars, but failed the Wilsons and Wallington grammar school exams. Happily, an interview at Dulwich has reversed his thinking - perhaps if your DS gets an interview at Eltham or Whitgift, he'll perk up?

Thanks all , fingers crossed for everyone of you and your DDs

just to respond to your question LadyMuck- don't know I'm afraid -not seen anything on this thus far

Great, heard from Trinity. Interview this Saturday. Smart casual. Since he doesn't do much by way of smart casual, being more casual casual bordering on homeless chic, I think I'm going to have to go to Oxford Street, or he'll end up going in a fleece onesie.

Lol, sounds more like an invitation to dinner or a party! So glad your call came. Am hoping that if a call from Alleyns comes then uniform on a Saturday will be permissible, otherwise we too will be shopping.

Great news Mrs Steptoe, well done to your DS.

I too had to hit the shops last year (do any 10/11 year olds do smart casual?!) and DS when not in uniform wore chinos, a polo shirt, a casual v-neck jumper (all from H&M if i remember correctly!) and converse. Seemed to be ok and didn't miss out on any offers on sartorial grounds!

Good luck with the interviews to all your DSs.

Thanks for that, Marni23, good to know what to aim at! Young Steptoe has inherited his father's somewhat sturdy torso, so the challenge is usually finding trousers that aren't too tight on the waistline. They all seem to be made for total bloody ectomorphs.

My DS wore cords and a rugby top (non specific M&S type rather than a club!).
Mrs S - maybe not too trendy but Bhs do 'generous' fit trousers which go round my DS who sounds to be a similar shape to your DS

Ah, DS is one of said bloody ectomorphs and the challenge is to find trousers that don't end up round his ankles if he moves too fast!

Marni

Seeline - super, thanks for the tip! x

Thanks MrsSteptoe. No news from Eltham either. I dont know of anyone who has. Hanging there mummyinatizz!:)

Congrats Mrs Steptoe. See you Saturday. DS will be in polo neck top and jumper all courtesy of M&S.

Still in a quandary about what to take with us as an ice breaker? Any ideas please?

Sigh123 - sorry about T.