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....

Firefox - I'm not 100% sure wether it does matter, although I've heard that if it's the deputy head (a good chance) or one of the three (or four) assistant heads (possible) then academic scholarships are being considered. Co curricular scholarships are recommended by the relevant heads of the particular department. Although I do know of a couple of boys not interviewed by deputy/assistant heads that did have scholarships, but maybe they where co curricular only - IYSWIM

Farewell
My DSs sporty pals have lovedtheir assessments at Alleyn's and St Dunstans, often playing sports they have't done before. Nothing to lose by going along. City didn't seem uber sporty competitive to me. So glad letters being posted tomorrow so this stage can end for us. Our issue with City, if we did get a place, is whether the journey which in theory is easy is worth it- problems at London Bridge seem to be having a lot of knock on impact and getting to the exam was not fun.

Oh yes citymum travel to City promises to be a nightmare for the next three years! I can't stand it myself with the part closure of London Bridge, I am unwilling to submit 10 year olds to the commute nightmare I suffer.

On exam day we couldn't get on the train. Even if I had been by myself, and even with close to 20 years of commuting "skills" under my belt, I could not have got on, let alone rammed a 10 year old on. It all seemed so doable for the open day but doing it in rush hour was something else. Such a shame as love the school. If it was South if the river would def be first choice. Any way getting ahead if myself need to see what Friday's post brings! Glad to get another's view that it was not just a bad day, and likely to be like that for the foreseeable future??

Just back from T 10+ interview. As everyone else has said, it was all very understated. We did have a meeting with Mr B and was told that DS did very well in Maths and Comprehension (which was a BIG shock at it is usually his weakest area) and that his Essay was weaker. DS was thus interviewed by an English teacher and asked some question on a passage of writing.

DS came out very happy and content and said the interviewer was very nice and put him seemingly at ease. I came out of T feeling a little deflated but simply glad its all over. now just a 2 and half week wait!

Citymum, what a pain that your choices might be dictated by the vagaries of London transport. I walked there the other day and it was 40 mins so worst case scenario...

City has quite a low acceptance rate - between 25 and 35% at 11+ (Higher at 10 obv). I think it's because it's so central - people can apply from all over London but most would probably prefer somewhere closer to home if they get it. I know people applying from Shepherd's Bush - I think they'd all prefer Latymer etc.

Yes just the wait now Firefox. Not sure I am enjoying it, not that I'm meant to of course. It just gets me thinking of how he's done with the conclusion that I really don't know. DS since Saturday has popped out with another odd question that T asked him so I keep thinking did he get all these odd/difficult questions because T aren't sure of him. And why do T and W seem to tell some parents how their DS has done and others of us nothing whatsoever!

Liquorice, we had a bit of a dodgy sounding interview at T too which makes me suspect DS is borderline. What can you do though?

No, nothing we can do now Omni.

Ladymuck, just intrigued by your comment to Olguis up thread

There simply aren't that many prep school kids around, let alone ones who would suit these schools.

Looking at the uniforms I saw sitting 10+ at W, the VAST majority were state pupils (probably 75% as a rough guess)

I was very disappointed with the T interview process on Saturday. We were not made to feel welcome and two of the questions to my DS was about the length of his hair. In contrast W made us feel extra special.

Trinity's hair policy - as with many schools - is that it should be cut above the collar line. If his hair is long, a question or two about how he feels having it short is to be expected.

His hair is not that long - and it does not explain why we were not made to feel welcome.

I don't have a DS! But I live in the area for Trinity and Whitgift. That is very sad, Interested. I always thought that if I had a DS I would send him to Trinity because of a speech he gave at my DD's mixed primary at Prize Giving.

Thanks Leeds2. It had originally been our absolute first choice, but it is certainly not now! Hopefully W or the grammars are now what we are praying for. (We all loved Whitgift!)

neanananaweek1972, intrigued in what way?

Just wondered if you meant that prep school kids would not fit into W & T whereas state school children would. Wasn't sure if that was what you meant and if there was a reason for that from your experience.

Oh no, I meant that some prep school children won't necessarily make the academic cut for these schools. Usually they've been warned by the prep school heads and apply elsewhere, but some will still apply in the hope of a good set of papers (and W in particular have been known to ignore prep school heads reports).

I appreciate that the perception in recent years is that Whitgift has taken a wider range of ability that it would have done 5 years ago, but at the end of the day both the schools are still fundamentally academic schools. There are other private schools which would have a less demanding curriculum for example. On Mumsnet, it is mainly the academic schools that get discussed, but schools such as Royal Russell are still thriving with some very happy parents. Sometimes you are paying to find the best school for the child, which isn't always the most academic one.

Back to the journey question....

Had a horrible journey for DD JAGS interview. Thameslink messed up again (another burst water main!) and Southern Trains delayed as well. It's unusual for two lines to go down but it did make me want to be in SW rather than SE!

HM confirmed 500 girls sat and remarked she once interviewed a girl who'd taken 13 exams - can you imagine?

Sorry- posted on boys rather than girls thread!

The vast majority of the prep school boys don't try for 10+ thought, they go for 11+ - that's why you saw mainly state uniforms at the 10+ days surely?

I disagree in this area forago, it is generally accepted that it is far easier now to get into W at 10 as they have made it such a bunfight at 13. Lots of boys moved from DS' prep at 10 so that they didnt have to compete at 11.

Thanks Ladymuck! Thought I had got it wrong

At my ds prep school I think 2 children have gone at 10+ in the whole time he's been there (he's year 5). The perception may be that's its easier to get in at 10+ (I'm not convinced) but its also that you are far more likely to get a full fees offer and bit a scholarship that they may have got at 11+.