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

999 replies

LadyMuck · 21/01/2014 22:25

Anyone still out there?!

OP posts:
basildonbond · 24/01/2014 07:11

You were right first time pooglie - it's Alleyn's

The first interviews are tomorrow - I assume the standard ones are a chat, why this school, what interests/hobbies etc and maybe a couple of questions probing any areas of weakness in the exam. There were 600+ entries of which 300 or so get called for interview. 140 places in y7, strictly split 50:50 boy/girl but around 40? (Not sure of precise numbers) will go to children from the junior school so at interview stage there are roughly 3 applicants per place but of course they will need to make more offers than places so the odds having got to the interview stage are pretty good. Very few dc will only have sat for Alleyn's as it's generally seen as an aspirational choice so the vast majority of children getting offers at Alleyn's will also have offers for at least one other school which may well be more attractive to them for all kinds of reasons - journey time, siblings, scholarship offer etc

SoupDragon · 24/01/2014 07:17

I wonder if we are offered a place with no or very little scholarship whether you can try and negotiate a little?

I did this with DS2. However, his brother was already at T and, amongst other things, DS2 had a scholarship offer from W. I'm not sure how you'd go about it if you didn't have a good argument.

LadyMuck · 24/01/2014 07:33

In terms of negotiation, it is important to know whether your targeted schools budge at all on scholarships. I get the impression that the Dulwich schools are less likely to, but the Croydon and GDST schools do.

At this stage you are trying to pick up any information possible about how your child has done, and in particular where they sit in the cohort. Whilst certain schools want to know that they are your preferred choice, there is no harm in indicating that you may have other offers. Co curricular all come into the mix too, and there is no harm in continuing to firm up any skills here (eg the next music grade, music festival, gala etc).

I think that you also need to think about your child, and how they are likely to develop over the next seven years, and what the scholarship may or may not mean to them. The co curricular scholarships are sponsored by those departments, and the departments may expect their pound of flesh. Do make sure that your grade 5 violin player really, really wants to be in the choir, and not in the swim squad! The two activities may not be compatible. [well, they may, but the point is you can't do everything, but there will be some things you have to do.]

The largest awards, and where there is the most scope, are the academic awards, and as far as possible you want to know where your child has been ranked.

I think it would be unreasonable to assume that scholarships are there for anyone who wants one or asks for one. They are awarded on performance, and your child has to be able to sustain their relative performance. But it is fair to say that there is some movement on offers and scholarships post 14 February.

OP posts:
Pooglie · 24/01/2014 07:48

Thanks Ladymuck - JAGs interviewed before the exams. The interviews now are for scholarships (dd was not offered one of these, unfortunately Sad).

Thanks Basildonbond - you've helped reassure me. Odds down to 6:1 from 12:1. I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll have to dye her hair blonde by tomorrow for her to be offered a place though. I'll start that negotiation in a minute Wink.

ClaraMaugham · 24/01/2014 07:59

That's intriguing Pooglie!

LadyMuck · 24/01/2014 09:20

"Odds down to 6:1 from 12:1." No, if this is Alleyn's then you're down to around 3:1 for a place, and better than that for an offer, as some offers will be refused in favour of single sex or schools further away or grammars.

I think going blonde may be slighty ott. But only slightly Grin. Have to peruse DS's wardrobe once more...

OP posts:
Dibbleofficer · 24/01/2014 09:40

Alleyns wardrobe rethink after your comments LM .... Highlights and heels the answer then?

LadyMuck · 24/01/2014 09:50

I had assumed that pooglie meant her dd needed to be blonde! Bearing in mind that I will be watching a sports match immediately prior to interview I would expect guffaws of laughter from the other school mums if I arrived in heels. I might just send dh instead...(also not in heels).

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likeamum · 24/01/2014 11:06

still nothing from W in post, surely my Ds is not being given interview Sad
too early for Wine but not for some Wray & Nephew rum creme in my coffee Smile

LadyMuck · 24/01/2014 12:02

Have you rung Whitgift?

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ladydepp · 24/01/2014 12:46

Just a quick post to say that my DS is doing a scholarship interview at Alleyn's. So it's not all girls Smile.

MrsSteptoe · 24/01/2014 12:49

Fantastic, ladydepp, congratulations!

LostinLondon · 24/01/2014 13:32

Does anyone know anything about W sports assessment call backs? Does it mean they're not sure so want another look?? Thought the whole process was over and done with in one day.

LadyMuck · 24/01/2014 13:37

These are where they are looking at specific sports. My understanding is that it is a good sign.

OP posts:
pooziepuzzle · 24/01/2014 13:45

LostinLondon have you had a call back ? Which sport and which age is this for?

Croydonmumtods · 24/01/2014 13:53

lostinlondon sports callbacks generally for football/ rugby/cricket and hockey and usually mean ds has performed particularly well in one or all of these. It is a good sign if you get a call back and not unusual to get a callback for more then 1 sport.

Somelikeithott · 24/01/2014 13:58

Lostinlondon, call back is good ( no call back, is not necessarily negative though). The boys will be assessed for specific sports, call back usually for rugby, cricket, football and possibly hockey, as far as I know. You will be told what sport you are called back for.

LostinLondon · 24/01/2014 13:59

Thanks LadyMuck

pooziepuzzle Call back for football and rugby 11+. DS said the pitches at W were too wet yesterday for them to have proper games so maybe they just feel the boys needed another chance.

mummyinatizz · 24/01/2014 13:59

am assuming sports call backs will be by phone?

Somelikeithott · 24/01/2014 14:00

Waves to croydonmums, our posts crossed lol! See you later

Croydonmumtods · 24/01/2014 14:00

Oops hott looks like crossed posts!

Croydonmumtods · 24/01/2014 14:02

mummy last year callbacks were by letter at quite short notice.

Croydonmumtods · 24/01/2014 14:05

lostlast years rugby callback on very muddy pitch in freezing temps so wet pitches not an issue but bring a change of clothes and a towel!

ladydepp · 24/01/2014 14:05

Not to rain on any parades but I know of 3 children from 2013 and 2012 who had Alleyn's interviews and were not offered places. I must say the parents all seemed a bit bitter about it and 1 took it really personally "how could they not offer MY dc a place!" etc...

Whitgift say that "interviews take place until the end of January" so don't give up hope likeamum!

Lostinlondon - Like ladymuck I think a sport callback is a very good sign for W, well done to your DS!

LostinLondon · 24/01/2014 14:06

Thanks to all on call backs info. Good to know it's a positive sign. Got ours via email which is a bit risky (what with junk mail) but quicker than post I suppose.

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