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

[LadyMuck]

Anyone still out there?!

got the dreaded thanks but no thanks this morning , was totally expected as we hadn't heard about the interview , ended up calling admissions and just asking and made the point of saying it was totally unecessary for them to keep children ( and their mothers !!) hanging on when they know pretty soon if they don't make the grade. I don't think it was even actknowledged as said up thread they dont care I guess am gutted for DS will wait til the letter comes to spill the beans good luck to everyone on your interviews I'll just go sit back in the corner and keep my fingers crossed for plan B

Was just thinking about you teddingtonmum1, wondering if you'd heard. Thats rotten news, sorry for you and DS. Best of luck with plan B.

Sorry to hear your news Teddingtonmum1. The policy at W to not contact people as soon as possible is really crappy. We've been fortunate to have a positive experience with them so far but I'm really put off them by their wanton disregard for boys who haven't got through to interview.

Just checked mail- also have W call back for football. The e-mail was very positive and this is obviously a good thing!

Fab news pooziepuzzle. Good luck to your DS!

ladydepp we're not really expecting a place from the Alleyn's interview, but i'm currently torturing myself thinking about having to tell DS that from his three interviews at the more academic schools, he's got a no from all of them. I truly have no idea whether it's my instinct giving me all the right messages, or whether I have absolutely no concept of / faith in my own child's ability.

Teddingtonmum1 I know Whitgift has got huge fans and no doubt for good reason once you're in. But the process leaves a lot to be desired IMO, and I'm rather glad DS didn't like it when he went for the Science Day during the holiday or half term or whenever it was. I won't say more, because I don't want to annoy happy mothers on this thread! I'm really sorry, though x

So sorry to hear that Teddington.
Best of luck for Plan B.

I'm really put off them by [Whitgift's] wanton disregard for boys who haven't got through to interview.

^^ this.

Sorry, all you happy W mums. I know it must be annoying reading negative stuff about a school you are really happy with. I'm not in the best mood today! (And we didn't even apply to Whitgift!)

teddingtonmum . and . If it is any consolation at all, the competition this year for the bursary places was enormous (10:1), and not at all reflective of the competition for full fee places. With many of the boys who had passed Wilsons and Wallington also sitting Whitgift the difference in "passmarks" between the 2 camps is huge.

ladydepp that information is very useful. Sending children to the Dulwich schools is a relatively new trend for our school (though Dulwich have run buses from here for ages). Given that I thought that the Alleyns process was relatively transparent ("the entrance exam is simply a bar to clear for interview, but we select based on interview"), I guess it must still feel a bit personal if your dc is subsequently rejected. Ie it is easier to say "Jasper screwed up the English" rather than "they didn't like Poppy at interview".

Good luck to everyone for the sports recalls - a useful prompt for everyone to check email I guess! At least it shows that these are being done by the sports department.

W using email to get information to people quickly? now theres a new idea! seems the sports dept are way ahead of the admin team!

Personally I always got the impression that MN was slightly more pro Trinity than Whitgift, but that is an aside and may reflect my personal prejudices. I assume all opinions/experiences will be revealed once offers are out...

"W using email to get information to people quickly? now theres a new idea! seems the sports dept are way ahead of the admin team!"

Or, as is often the case, operating in their own universe with their own set of rules!

MrsS - I'm with you (and also apologies to those who are happy with W). W started off as my bottom choice, then we got to know and like it more and more and it crept up. I think its sliding down to the bottom again. Actually its got there. (And we were called and interviewed quickly.) No way at all to behave. Dreadful. I posted up thread: they are just cynically calculating that once you are in you will have forgotten this terrible process. Yes, its stresful for all the schools, but W do really seem to make it worst than the others. They simply do not care about the angst they cause.

Teddingtonmum so sorry about your W news. I am surprised they gave you the info on the phone, they must have known you meant business

I called W too, it's a thanks but no thanks. I don't understand why they couldn't tell us before? I loved the school but the sheer disrespect for ones feelings/ emotions is really out of order. I found this process emotionally more difficult than my divorce!
Well done to all who have succeeded (wishing them all the best!) and good luck to the parents who need to package the news to their lil boys and girls!

I think that's your own personal prejudice ladymuck! We had quite an eye-opening experience with Trinity over ds's admission and despite seeming less 'cuddly', W behaved much more honourably (and I have to say, six years on, I've not been able to fault them ...)

Sorry to both sigh and Teddington - I hope your boys get a good offer elsewhere and are very happy wherever they end up

Sorry, Sigh123 - hope your DS doesn't take it too hard.

I am gutted and I think its an amazing school , maybe because I don't have experience of prep schools that I'm finding it a bit cold and calculated but she could have told me over the phone last week or sent out a blinking email !!!! anyway waiting to hear about a foundation place at reeds and if that fails see you back in 18 months if you don't get in at 11+ can you reapply at 13+ ? I'm being to think we were way under prepared I just can't face other 18month of blinking bond and GL bloody papers yet again ..... Am treating myself to a sherlock box set and a vodka as DS is at daddies might even pass by hotel de chocolate !!!

Teddington I'm not eating chocolate till Easter, so you can have my share

Had to go get my hair done to console myself but will be up for 5k park run in the morning so won't feel too bad !!
Feel gutted for DS but guess have to learn that even when we try are best you don't always make it harsh but true lesson to learn at 10 years old but never mind nothing a I phone app or 2 can't solve.

Hi maybe its too early to ask this, but do CLSB write to everyone, or only those they are inviting for an interview. Any knowledge on this fellow-moms?

WIPMOM I think CLSB write to everyone, but not until 30th January.

I found out that DS is not getting W 10+ interview
I can't bear to tell him yet...
Tonight: at Hideaway in Streatham:jazz covers of Bowie songs!
Tomorrow, try to convince him of advantages of local comp Woodcote:
Co-ed, great track, less homework (and saving125,000+ )
Cons: longer terms, only one language (he does 3 at moment & is doing very well), no pool, poorer: art, DT, PE facilities, no friends going there
Thanks to other MNers for supportive comments, but we will not be reapplying ( DS has Tourette's and his was all too much on him)

So sorry likeamum, especially after the stressful time your ds has had. Can't help in terms of all the pros and cons, but friendship groups change hugely in the move to senior school, wherever they go.