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Original poster

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

999 replies

Firefox1066 · 13/12/2014 08:29

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....

OP posts:
forago · 28/01/2015 22:03

not sorry.

omnishambles · 28/01/2015 22:22

But these were mostly boys who would have gone at 13 in years gone by but there just arent many cheapish 13+ schools left to gamble on and therefore people jump at 10. Whitgift historically took a lot from DS prep at 13 and now dont, they have changed to poaching at 10.

forago · 28/01/2015 22:35

Guess it depends on the setup of the school then - that's certainly not the case at my son's school - which only goes to 11+. You can only go on the evidence of your own eyes and certainly I know approx 10 boys going through 10+ at the moment and about 15 doing 11+ for T and W. All the 10+ are state school tutored boys and all the 11+ are prep.

It probably depends on other school in the area too as most of the 11+ boys will also be trying for (scholarshios at) 11+ only schools and possibly grammar as well so the perception is that jumping at 10+ closes off these options.

Seeline · 29/01/2015 08:58

I am surprised that so many of you found the process at T unwelcoming. I know they have a very different approach than W, but I have always found everyone there, from catering staff, pupils and teachers to be more than welcoming and friendly. The Saturday interview set up at T can be a bit overwhelming, but I think they are centred solely on the boys; the parents get a chat with various staff if they want one (including Mr B when we did it), but the focus is on finding out about the boys.
We're in our 3 year at T (Y8) and I can honestly say I have never felt unwelcome at the school. From picking DS up from the school nurse when he was feeling poorly, to meeting staff whilst Ds was away on a residential choristers course, everyone has always been friendly and helpful.
I cannot fault the teachers who have always been most helpful and supportive to DS. They respond to emails requesting help and advice on homework almost instantly, even in the evenings, they are happy to meet DS during breaks/lunch to discuss homework/classwork. Form tutors respond to parent emails very quickly and are helpful in sorting out issues from lost kit to personal matters.

omnishambles · 29/01/2015 08:59

Yes it makes a massive difference if your school only goes up to 11 anyway so the school presumably is set up for 11plus. Ours is set up for common entrance and 13+ entrance and now of course pretests but those are different and therefore the school doesnt help at 11.

Plus the boys jumping at 10 aren't grammar candidates and most of their parents wouldnt consider it, they were always committed to private all the way through but arent in the KCS, St Pauls, Westminster boat and dont want to shell out for easier schools like Epsom.

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 29/01/2015 11:50

Seeline I agree with all you say about Trinity. It is a wonderful school and Mr B is a very effective and caring headteacher. I have a DN there (also a chorister) who is flourishing and my sister cannot speak highly enough about the school.

All that said, the interview process is lacking IMO...it needs to be both child and parent centric, given that we are the ones who will be paying the damn expensive fees

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 29/01/2015 12:51

I wonder whether that is just a close comparison with Whitgift, who do put on a great sales job (finding pupils from the same primary for the tour etc). Sounds as if Dulwich parents see Head in a group and are allowed one question each, Alleyns, Caterham and Royal Russell don't interview parents at all. From our recent experience, Trinity was one of the few schools where we did get direct contact with the Head.

Liquorice12 · 29/01/2015 13:32

Agree with you Firefox re. T and yes Mr B, Mrs M and another teacher I spoke to on Saturday were friendly but would it harm them to give us parents a little feedback after DSs interview so we at least have a clue whether a place is possibly on the cards. Otherwise we are just left asking our DSs afterwards which can be quite muddling in the case of my DS sometimes and perhaps not altogether fair to DS after all the work they've been through to then be possbily grilled (nicely) by parents. However, it hasn't put me off T as that's not what it's about but it did warm me to W more as the constrast in approach is large I think.

Seeline · 29/01/2015 13:43

but would it harm them to give us parents a little feedback after DSs interview so we at least have a clue whether a place is possibly on the cards
Understand what you are saying Liquorice, but from previous years threads it has been apparent that parents who thought they had good feedback from W have not got the place, or level of offer that they thought they were going to get.
given that we are the ones who will be paying the damn expensive fees
Also get what you're saying Firefox at least T aren't quite so damned expensive as W Wink

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 29/01/2015 14:39

Seeline.... Peacock feed educational material is very expensive, hence the almost £3k differential between the two schools!

OP posts:
Liquorice12 · 29/01/2015 15:50

Fair enough Seeline. I will force myself not to look at those previous threads and worry myself silly.

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 29/01/2015 21:13

For those interested, I heard Mr B tell a parent that this year they are looking to take 45 boys at 10+. 200 sat, 100 were interviewed (Im guessing there will be 70 offers for 45 places)

OP posts:
BitByBit · 30/01/2015 10:37

Hi all,

Found a good explanation of standardised testing from GL Assessment if anyone is interested in reading into it further.

www.gl-assessment.co.uk/sites/gl/files/images/Guide-to-Standardised-Tests.pdf

farewelltoarms · 30/01/2015 12:13

Anyone City Boys here?

Any idea of numbers who took the exam and number invited to interview? And then number of offers to be made too I suppose…

PS Lady Muck, yes it would seem that the sports interview letter did mean he'd made the cut. Bit weird that it got out two days before the interview letters though.

citymum3 · 30/01/2015 13:01

Us! DS was candidate number 1200 and something, so loads of people sitting the exam. No idea on iv numbers, but v pleased for DS that he has been invited back. Someone said on here they have a low acceptance rate as people choose easier travel options.
Glad this stage is over. He sat 4, got 4 interviews. Even though nothing in the bag yet, still feel it's a big achievement for him, and has made me v grateful for the brilliant teaching at his low stress, round the corner, failing according to OFsted state primary!

andien · 30/01/2015 13:09

Hi citymum - well done to your ds! Out of curiosity did you do any work with him yourself? I found with dd that based on teaching at her "good" Ofsted school, I was filling in about 25-30 percent of what hadn't been taught at her school.

farewelltoarms · 30/01/2015 13:42

Citymum - don't worry, my son's candidate number was in the 2000s so I don't think it can mean anything in a literal sense.

It was me that said that about the acceptance numbers and was pure supposition on my part so please don't take it as bible.

My boy too got three out of three for interviews, also from a state primary and with a terrible teacher for the last two years. I too feel it's a real achievement but now of course I worry that it will come to nought. It may well be that he came bottom of the interview lists in all three and would have to do something amazing to get a place (which he absolutely won't!)

Andien, he had a tutor for an hour a week for a year and a half. I think she filled in all the maths really really well but possibly less strong on English. I did quite a bit of that but only for the last three months when I realised. But he didn't do anything else like group classes or endless mocks. He is bright but very much within the normal range of bright.

ineedacoffee123 · 30/01/2015 14:40

My son was invited too for a City interview.( 10+) and his number was 1000ish….. Anyone else for 10+? Good luck to all!

citymum3 · 30/01/2015 15:01

He had a tutor for the half term pre Xmas. That was technique rather than content though - he knew the stuff but needed to learn to go faster and write a bit more. DS, me and Bond books proved a toxic combination, so some outside help was needed. He has had a great teacher for year 5 and 6 and does really like maths. Sadly my maths level was exceeded somewhere in Year 5 so all I can do is encourage, no way I could have taught. ?? relieved the numbers are not as scary as they sound. Maybe see some if you there in Feb. Best of luck to them all.

Emo76 · 31/01/2015 18:13

DD had an interview at Alleyn's today. She said the lady was nice and asked what she liked doing in her spare time, but nothing too intense. That's our last one, hurrah!

Is anyone else on this thread hoping their DC go there? It was the only mixed school we applied for, and we all really like it. Not getting our hopes up though given the odds.

Gilbo1972 · 31/01/2015 18:57

Hello all! Anyone know how the Whitgift Foundation bursaries work? Today we have received yet another letter from them saying they cannot proceed with our bursary application! This is the 3rd letter since we applied in December! Is this normal! I'm nearly ready to chuck it all in. They keep asking for things they already have, then, when we point that out they already have it they say, yes but it does not show 'so and so'.... I don't think I can take much more. We get nowhere on the phone as everything needs to be by letter. I think they have got themselves confused. Any advice? Words of wisdom lovely ladies? Hmm

mum3074 · 01/02/2015 09:45

Morning, Gilbo1972! Last years's experience for 10+ was the same for us, letters back and forth before and after the exam, I remember my DH was getting frustrated with all that too. And after all that - no offer! This year for 11+ I guess we were more experienced and did all the paperwork required sufficiently enough, and no questions were asked so far. Not sure if that is helpful but I suppose this is fairly normal for them to do.

Gilbo1972 · 01/02/2015 10:32

Arghh! I guess they need to be very careful, and they are extremely busy with the present boys as well as all us hopefuls, but they have all the info requested twice over. We think they have got themselves slightly confused. Not sure how to progress it. I guess its only frustrating as so much time seems to be wasted with sending letters, when I guess your instinct is to want to sit with them and say ok you have everything what's the problem? (In the nicest possible way of course!) And that's the worst thing, it might all be for nothing! The last letter didnt actually request anything! Previous letters asked for things they already had... (Head banging wall) oh it's just me I get so stressed out about everything at the mo! Roll on March where it will all be over and I will have something else to worry myself silly about!!

mum3074 · 01/02/2015 11:26

Indeed, 2 weeks will drag on now, I suspect, but like Ladymuck warned earlier am dreading that it might drag on much longer if we don't get offers (or offers that we are able to accept) and will have to wait till 2 March ( is it 2nd? - I forgot the exact day). Reading previous years posts it seems that for many the excrutiating wait carried on with waiting lists involved for weeks after the March date as well... I really hope the decision for us will be easy and soon as I want for all this waiting and stress to be over as soon as possible...

Ladymuck · 01/02/2015 13:35

There's been a few murmurs, mainly on here, that the bursary process is a bit of a drag. I think they have been tightening up the requirements for divorced or separated families over the last 5 years or so, but other than that know nothing, I'm afraid.