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Original poster

The Trinity Whitgift Dulwich 11+/10+ thread 2014 pt2

999 replies

LadyMuck · 21/01/2014 22:25

Anyone still out there?!

OP posts:
dippingbackin · 22/01/2014 21:31

No idea, I think it varies depending on demand in other scholarship areas.

When Dad dropped him this morning, he said that the Head of Games told the boys they had done well to get as far as the assessment as so many had applied. I keep telling DS this, and that a sports scholarship is a bonus and if he doesn't get one, it is no reflection on how he will be perceived if he actually goes to W. Clearly I have no idea if this is true or not, but it made sense as I was saying it.

It did cross my mind that they had already decided who was getting one but then I took my cynical hat off and assumed that would be ridiculously unfair and a total waste of time for the teachers involved.

Brownsugar3879 · 22/01/2014 21:32

Great news Popk.
I was told Ds should bring in icebreaker but doesn't have to be big as he'll only talk about it for a min or so. The woman advised that it really should be Ds choice on what to bring and can vary from a book he's currently reading to anything really.
I think gone are the years where Children were bringing in their own designed websites! Of am I deluding myself?
Ds wants to take in a picture from Disney world holiday but since I've applied for bursary, how would that seem? Help is neede here from all your past experiences

LostinLondon · 22/01/2014 21:37

I'm sure you're right - hate to think all the boys wouldn't get the same fair crack at the whip.
Good luck to your DS with all his school choices. Will be truly glad when this is all over and life can go back to normal!

petangyang · 22/01/2014 21:41

Marni23 thanks for that info - there's hope yet then! Did you end up going with Dulwich and if so is your son liking it there?

Hipster1 · 22/01/2014 21:45

Last year academic scholarships at W and T were offered in the letter. However, a key indication was the length of interview and the boys were given maths questions etc. One of DS friends got offered academic and W and another at T. Strangely the W one was a tiny percentage. Almost a lure you in gesture. Still every little helps.

Brownsugar3879 · 22/01/2014 21:46

Oh, it's 11+ interview.

Marni23 · 22/01/2014 21:48

petangyang no, we didn't take the place at Dulwich. We decided in the end that we preferred co-ed for him.

Croydonmumtods · 22/01/2014 21:50

dipping don't think minds made up re sports assessment. A lot of emphasis put on the fitness side of things which I think they do first then in depth look at specific sports will be done at callback.

brownsugar ds didn't bring anything last year and had a good chat anyway so don't worry too much. Maybe not bringing something could be the icebreaker ie didn't bring anything as I didn't think I needed it! Just a thought if all else fails

dippingbackin · 22/01/2014 22:12

croydonmumtods DS enjoyed the fitness testing and said the teachers were very focused on that part. I guess you get an actual result when you do the beep test (or the equivalent that they did today) so they have something concrete to go on.

ladydepp · 22/01/2014 22:15

Thanks all for heads up on W sports assessment, I am fully prepared for complete exhaustion! Must remember to get in something very delicious for tea.....

basildonbond · 22/01/2014 22:50

The Alleyn's registrar (who was lovely and approachable btw) said the decisions were made on the basis of performance in the exam, how children came across in the interview (whether scholarship or not) and the headteacher's report from the current school and that they're looking for children who would get the most out of the education on offer. So irisha and popkins - the fact that your dd's have been invited to go in for scholarship interviews means that they've already done very well in the exam, and presumably they'll have a good report from their current school, so that just leaves the interview - so try to relax!

usualsuspect47 · 22/01/2014 23:01

Hello - found you all again! Just a note for anyone still waiting that - just after all but giving up hope - we received the interview letter for W today. So it's true what they say - W continues to send out letters late into the process. Hope this helps people still waiting - I know how stressful this whole process is.

Teddingtonmum1 · 22/01/2014 23:15

Usual suspect I am literally lying in wait for the postie these days happy to hear there's still hope ... Just

ipreferletters · 22/01/2014 23:26

Finally found you!!
Just to let you know that 10+ Music Assessment today at T included a demanding sight reading, it was not a walk in the park. Also quite a few the aural tests. The Head of Music was very nice and approachable though, but I do not want to read anything in this.

Does anybody know if T had many Music Scholarship applications, perhaps vs Sport Scholarship applications??
Is there any difference between the 10+ and 11+ boys, in Music vs Sport school/awards?

...agonising again ...
Interview next week - will let you know

Original poster
LadyMuck · 22/01/2014 23:54

Think that I'm glad we opted against sitting music then!

Far fewer tend to go for music than sport, though those that do tend to be fairly talented. From what teachers tell me they're looking for talent, potential and enthusiasm, so the talented enthusiastic 9 year old grade 2/3 cornet player has a good chance against the less enthused grade 5 violin player who has been forced to play since the age if 3.

OP posts:
ipreferletters · 22/01/2014 23:56

Thanks Ladymuck, it is a pity that we do not do French horn or viola ... highly sought after but a misery for the neighbours!!
I will let you know how it all goes of course xxx

irisha · 23/01/2014 06:29

LadyMuck,Marni23, Alice, BasildonBond, thanks so much for your words of sanity - I know I am being irrational, but can't help myself. The process is so lacking in transparency that one just loses perspective! I am so looking forward to when it's over. I don't know how people survive going through this multiple times.

bananadrama · 23/01/2014 09:04

Only found this thread the other day - was looking in the wrong section & couldn't understand why nothing on these schools this year. Took me a good few hours to catch up! We are going through this with DS2 at the moment, DS1 is at T. So stressful doing it again. DS2 has his interview on Saturday & we were at T on Tuesday for the music audition, yes my DS found the sight reading very challenging too & came out a bit deflated. Ho hum, will just have to see.

wishitweredone · 23/01/2014 09:14

Thanks all for this. Am sure There are lots of us from the Guildford side lurking as all a bit quiet on the western front over on the Secondary forum although chocolate and wine sales in the Hampton and Guidlford area are reportedly experiencing record levels. Ladymuck is this your last time through this ? -you should write a handbook. Oh and please be back here in 6-7 years time when I assume the agonising starts again. Ox or Bridge anyone?!

Sigh123 · 23/01/2014 11:10

likeamum my son is the same. Change of character, cranky, aggitated etc. He is now at the stage where he just doesnt want to talk about the subject. He still weeps :( I hate seeing him like this.
Regardless of the outcome I really hope a feedback mechanism exists, this is crazy.
Btw, still no news from W. Wrt Eltham, apparently they will start to send the letters from the end of this week and stagger it over a few days (why cant they all be sent at once?)

Somelikeithott · 23/01/2014 11:24

Hi everyone.
Hang on in there, those still waiting. It's not over till the fat lady sings... It is a traumatic process unfortunately, but one that will make your DC stronger ( hopefully), and not break them. It can be heartbreaking for us as parents, watching our children go through all this, but I usually take comfort in the fact that it is preparing them for the big 'bad' world, in the future. Although I have to admit, I wish they didn't have to learn this while they are still so young.

Reading through posts from previous years, there are always a couple of people who have almost given up and it comes good in the end, that could be you, so don't give up. Fatalflower from last year, readily, comes to mind and her DS is happily settled ( along with mine), at W. she has posted on this year's full thread as well.

Brownsugar, to be on the safe side, I think your DS shouldn't take his Disney world photo.... Just my opinion though!

Farewelltoarms · 23/01/2014 12:07

Hello, I'm not trying to be contrary, but don't you all just think sometimes, 'screw these stupid selective schools, screw the lot of them'? The way that they take huge amounts of your money, that they only take perfect children on and even then get rid of the ones who might then turn out to be less than perfect (thereby proving that these entrance procedures are flawed). The way they then brag about their glorious results - as if some hospitals were allowed to reject sick people and then brag about their low death rates.

Don't you just think, I'm done with you, my child is going to the nearest comprehensive?

My eldest is y5 and we can afford private for secondary. But I see the terrible behaviour of some mothers (not you lot, you all seem sane and funny and self-mocking) and the utter hysteria that the process engenders. And I see children going off to our local (not partic good) comprehensive and coming out with lots of A*s and everyone ending up at the same sorts of universities.

Sorry, not very helpful, and I hope you all do find somewhere you're happy with, I just wonder if we're all just feeding the beast.

mummyinatizz · 23/01/2014 12:10

For anyone with a W 10+ interview, we had ours this morning. We were with Mr Beck, who we've met before on the show arounds. DS had max 10 mins with him, us the same straight after. He was honest that DS had flunked the maths, but did well in VR. He seemed positive, I took this as good news we are in with a chance however my DH took it as 'he's come close', see you again next year! There were no maths/ English questions - maybe he didn't want to embarrass DS further - just general chat about school, hobbies and what football team he supports!
For us, now the wait! Best of luck to others interviewing/assessing this week and feel for those waiting to hear.

Original poster
LadyMuck · 23/01/2014 12:11

Thanks wishitweredone. I have various dn who will be facing this next year and in 3 years time, so not quite through it, but nearly! And I'm conscious more children seem to move at 6th form these days so am keeping an open mind. When we started thinking about schools many moons ago, it did look as if we would go for a traditional public school, so boarding, and it wouldn't surprise me if one of my dc ended up heading to boarding school for 6th form.

Oxbridge is an interesting one in this household as we steer from opposite ends of the punt as it wereGrin.

Best wishes for those still waiting for interviews.

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JustAnotherUserName · 23/01/2014 12:21

We are. We are. But we also live in an area where the comprehensive does not get the bunch of kids getting loads of A*s like you seem lucky enough to live next to!