The Trinity-Whitgift-Dulwich-Alleyns 10+/11+ thread 2015

[Firefox1066]

I thought I would take the plunge and start early the 2015 T/W/DC/A 10+/11+ thread that has become an annual staple MN!

This thread has been inspired by the likes of (among others) Ladymuck, Seeline, SoupDragon et al, who have been an amazing resources to people like me in previous years' threads.

Although T & W tend to dominate, I have also included DC and Alleyns as I know a lot of parents these days have DC's sitting for some/all of them.

I hope this thread will continue in the spirit of previous years' thread, with the support, hand-holding and knowledge that has been the hallmark of MN generally but this thread in particular.

Let the fun begin....

We are T & W 10+ dunesandy ...all very stressful hoping not to receive a letter from T and waiting for an invitation letter/call from W

Yes T&W 10+ here. We received sports assessment invitation for Monday for W, but not heard anything from T yet.

dunesandy. My son sat W 10+ and still nothing back as yet. It's an enormous job for them so not overly concerned JUST yet, but would hope we get an answer by Saturday!

Was at Emanuel 10+ today with DD, overheard lots of Alleyns, DC, W and T chat, so you can add it to the schools boys applying for. Although at 10+ very limited spaces for non-siblings, and interviews pre-Xmas there, so no contact now until Feb.

Wonder if they'd ever extend the year 6 entry given the obvious interest. Over 100 kids there today, probably more boys than girls, but not far off equal.

If they extended 10+ entry, that would only serve to reduce the number of 11+ places as I don't think Emanuel have the space to expand. And I suspect that would add to transfer angst, not reduce it. Historically, Emanuel took most/all I ts 10+ pupils from state schools (using it as a year to align with what prep school leavers had covered) but I imagine that's changed somewhat by now.

DC doesn't have a 10+ entry point, but sometimes runs an exam then depending on number of enquirers and number of ad hoc vacancies (it is doing so this year). Alleyns has a 9+ entry, and only ad hoc vacancies at 10+.

St Dunstans is another one - at least on the prep course they ran in November they boy DS sat with said it was his third choice after T and W.

Hi all, also waiting for a T 10+ call. They said they do music auditions Mon-Wed, so I am hoping to get a call today or Monday the latest (for Wed)? How far in advance do they call to arrange an audition? Any experience?

tiredbetty did you apply for a sports scholarship at T too, and when did they say those would be scheduled?

Yes Olgius we did, scheduled for Tues am. I know of an 11+ sports applicant and as of yesterday they hadn't heard either. That's for Monday. All very lastminute.

tiredbetty thanks, at least we are not alone in this anxiety! last minute is ok, as long as it is a positive outcome!

we received W letter for interview next week! happy but very anxious about upcoming interview and also to hear from T. Can anyone advise, what sort of questions they ask parents in "a short discussion"?

According to T school diary:
Mon - Wed - Music assessments
Mon - 11+ sports assessments
Tues - 10+ sports
wed - Art
Thurs - DT
sat - interviews
Mon 26 - 11+ sports recalls
tues 27 - 13+ sports

Hang on in there all of you - no news is good news!

Seeline - what about normal 11+ interviews at T? - not applied for any sports/music scholarships etc.

Mum 3074 - We saw a maths teacher at W for interview. DS went in first then me. He asked me about DS's primary school and we went over DS's strengths. All very relaxed. I found him very pleasant and easy to talk to.

thanks, Liquorice12, it is nice to hear that they try to make you feel relaxed and do not ask tricky questions ( although for DS "variety of questions including some based on the answers he produced in the entrance examination" - words from the letter - might be, I suppose, more specific and harder to be prepared for - poor boys, first the exam, then the interview hurdle...

I'd be v. grateful for views on whether Dulwich delivers the academic goods? The extra-curricular activities look fantastic - but does anyone know what the teaching is like? And pastoral care?
Thanks
v

Dulwich is on a roll under the current head.

They stream classes (plus some setting) and the top/academic sets do extremely well. Leavers destinations and GCSE/IGCSE/A level/preU results are all in the website. In the top 100 schools nationally (and rising).

Liquorice - no specific mention in the diary. I think the Saturday slots will be including 'ordinary' interviews. From memory they just happen throughout the week. Our 10+ interview was on a Saturday and that was a normal one, but 3 years ago so things may have changed.

hurray! hurray! Just got a call from T 10+ scheduling audition!
So, yes, last minute, mothers, do not despair!

Yay! Good news, well done!

Was the W 11+ exam poetry this year? Fill in the gaps and understand a longer poem as in sample papers or was it something different?

thanks, omnishambles. hopefully I can sleep better now

Dulwich have just been inspected and have a new ISI report. You can download it from the Dulwich College homepage. It was awarded 'excellent' in every category bar 'the quality of pupils' achievements and learning' where it was awarded 'exceptional'. It made me very proud to have a child there.

Congrats Olgius...you must be very relieved! Sadly, the postman has just been past my house and no post at all today. Today is the last day for T to send out "no thanks" letters, so lets hope we survive tomorrow!

Nothing for us either Firefox!