We asked about the pastoral side at T, ie whether teachers stay with boys for more than one year , and how was the continuity year on year. HM said that they have some teacher who are very good at the junior end so stay there each year to induct. I supsect that the ones who work better with 6th formers don't get involved with the 10+ interviews.
We happened to know ds's interviewer, and he is indeed fab with boys at this age. I would be worried about any boy who didn't come out happy and cheerful after 10 minutes with him.
On the other hand I haven't the faintest idea as to how they manage to differentiate between all of these candidates. They mostly seem like lovely lads on their very best behaviour to me. There must be something that they see in interview. I think that one of the SW schools (Hampton?) interviews the top few (for scholarships), the next band just get offers, and then there is a more "borderline band". I often wonder whether W & T are sort of like that, where there is a band of 100 or so where they will just make offers to, but it is the ones either side of the band where the interview is more important?
Dh has just brought up Valentine's Day, and whether I would like to go out for dinner somewhere. Have had to remind him gently that that is the day we get our letters, and I don't want a romantic evening to be spoilt! We'll be the middle aged couple staring into each others eyes on the 13th somewhere!