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....

Congrats burntoutdad .... Remind me, W 11+ right?

Relief in the Firefox household. DS invited for a 10+ interview next week at W...nothing yet from T.

Good luck to all those still waiting

Congrats Firefox and BurntoutDad and good luck at the interviews!! Waiting for an email from DH to see if anything in the post. This is a bad time to be away- good thing is that by the time I wake up the post should have already arrived. Unfortunately DH much more laid back about everything so won't tell me if we have or have not had a letter unless I ask.

Letter this morning for us too. Have moved on to a whole new set of worries! Good luck eveyone.

Firefox - no , we are 10+ too

congratulations, firefox and burntoutdad!

Friends from dd's old school - as I said they've all settled now but it seemed to take them a bit longer to hit their stride

Oh I see. I've got a good few friends with DS's and DD's at Alleyn's and there have been a fair few settling in tears and exhaustion there in the first term, so I know what you mean. Depends on the kid I guess. The whole going from one tutor teaches all in junior school to many and various teachers in year 7 can be a tough adjustment for them.

Bond - W was the same especially if from state primary. It was a big ramp up and stressful for some boys (Inc Ds) , even packing bags and remembering books and various bits of p.e and games kit, lots of homework, it seemed a major excercise at the time - lots of tears and tantrums - and that was just us . It made us realise just how disorganized we were though. But it became easier over time

Awake at 7 dreading postman who turned up at 10 in our road and walked straight past out house! No phone call from T either. Keep re-reading letter which says phone calls made for interviews for two weeks after exam...

I'm with you Liquorice. Still waiting to hear from W. Got to stay positive but the longer the wait... Congratulations to all those who have heard already and fingers crossed for the next stage.

Batterseadad and liquorice am in the same boat as well. They don't write, they don't call .... I have never been so looking forward to Monday!

Congrats dunesandy...looks like the W 10+ applications are being dealt with now.

Good luck to all!

Should we be worried that we only have an extra curricular scholarship invitation for T (11+) and not a normal invitation to interview as well? All the boys we know have a normal invitation even if they also have an extra curricular interview. Should we read anything into the email which started "As a result of DS performance in our recent examinations, I am delighted to be able to invite him to..." It doesn't actually say he PASSED the exams. Or am I over stressing on a Sunday evening?

Overstressing! It will come. There are a lot of phone calls to make.

Fossie - it means he passed the test and will get interview but they just haven't set the date yet. This happened to us with Ds1. Didn't get interview letter untill after the scholarships assessment. Nothing to stress about.

Does anyone's interview letters for W have the name of who they will be seeing?
Our doesn't but I seem to recall that it did last time.

Burntoutdad - no ours doesn't say either.

Fossie, we dont have one either, am not worried about that. Am more worried by ds' music which is not going well...am wishing we hadnt entered for it tbh.

I've found (both for DS2 who just had his W interview) and DS1 two years ago that you don't have a name given at the interview stage. You are given an arrival and interview time and at that point you'll know which person your DS will interview with. It is surprisingly not-stressful I've found with a few W boys to accompany you and talk with your son while doing the parents interview. Hope that helps burntoutdad!

Just had call for T interview. At last! Bit confused though as thought parents got interviewed too. Can anyone enlighten me on that??

Johnny T - Ah Yes - I remember now. Seems like an age ago.
Ds1 is hoping he will be one of the boys asked to accompany us at the interview this time.

Liquorice am expecting ds to go in for 15 mins and then we will for 5-10.

Liquorice I think parents only get an official 'interview' at T if Ds is being considered for a scholarship. Otherwise, groups of boys are interviewed (separately, but at the same time) whilst all the parents wait together in the same room with Mr B and other staff wandering round for informal chats.

Congrats Liquorice.