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....

I was actually referring to this current thread, I did specify that in my post. Tbh I am really too busy to be looking at past threads from 'a couple of ago'! But since this obviously has really touched a nerve, I found the aforementioned Chelseatina's comments which were definitely over the top but as far as I could see she isn't a DC parent, which I specifically referred to in my post. So her views aren't valid in this context. Please take care to read posts more carefully before reacting/responding.

Well at least my first choice is my DS's second choice. So if we (husband and I) end up making the decision ultimately, I think he will understand and still be happy. I hope!! I guess let's see what the 13th brings!

Please can this not descend into a squabble? It has been so helpful so far. Augustus thank you for the City stats. Am glad I did not know About that other forum as spend too much time here as it is!
Ineedacoffee so far as I know DC don't do 10 + in the same way asCity although there might be an option to join the junior school. Travel will be the big consideration for us should we be lucky enough to get offers.

10+ is ad hoc places only at Dulwich. I heard there was one vacancy this year.

Dulwich teachers would be down on unsportsmanlike behaviour like a ton of bricks (and expect other schools are the same). It is exceptionally rare to see it from any school, though I suppose any set of boys can have an off day.

hear, hear AnotherNewt/citymum3

Yes, my son applied for that vacancy in DC, 10+ CLSB and KCS, he was offered interviews in DC and CLSB, will hear from DC this Thursday but will have to wait till 17th to know about CLSB( still didn't have the interview)

We live in Central London so location wise is more or less the same, being the difference school coach or tube ,

Would love to hear your comments about both schools compared .
I just know one boy in each school and the league tables are not helpful.
Thanks ,

Not touched a nerve Reapo - I just thought that the comments on that thread were amusing, and at least one of the posters was a DC parent. Was trying to be light hearted but - eh ho.
Citymum - thanks for steering back on track

We let DS be a part of decision making, but as parents we have to ultimately take responsibility for the decision made. That's why it's so tough. But as people have said previously, after offers day, take a look around again. And you ( and DS), may have a different feel for things.

I think taking travel into consideration as well, especially taking into consideration those co-curricular activities that may require DS to be in school at 7am or stay behind late as well. Of course the DSs have to feel they will be happy there as well. Looking at ease of travel ( not always the same as distance). And having different options for getting to and from school. All the best with decision making.

And yes, hope the thread is kept happy. There will be a few ' bad eggs' at any school and also as someone mentioned, bad days. I am sure none of these schools will stand for bad reputations due to boys behaving badly and appropriate sanctions will be given when necessary.

If DS had 2 schools on offer which were roughly the same amount of money then absolutely he could choose as I did at his age. To be honest that would be a dream scenario for us as we dont even have one in the bag, let alone two.

Why would you have applied for somewhere you would turn down anyway?

I agree with somelikeithot, the daily commute is a very important factor, especially considering co-curricular stuff. It was for that reason, that we discounted CLSB, despite the fact that it was a school we really like. We are in Beckenham and we just thought that having to schlep over to another part of London for Sports as well as friends generally not being this side of the Thames would be tough for DS.

There is no right and wrong, just depends on your own personal circs and more importantly, the type of DS one has

I like both schools , but if we were so lucky( I don't think so)to get two offers I would need to turn down one. I thought external points of view could help me clear my mind.

Morning, everyone! Indeed, while waiting you can not help but start agonising in advance as what would you choose if you get more than 1 (hopefully) offer. Unfortunately, for us a discount would be one of the deciding factors but also the ease of traveling to school. I heard from other parents with older kids that in that first year at secondary they get really tired at school and also have a lot more homework and extra after school acttivities/clubs. Could anyone kindly share their experience on how the long day and travel to and back from school affects them in Y7 (or Y6 at T. & W.). At the moment it is a 15 minutes walk to our primary school for us so DS gets up around 7:40 so I guess next year it will be a shock to the system with waking up a lot earlier and getting from school later, then dealing with homework...

mum3074 DS started Y6 at T. I have to say that a lot of the time I drove him and picked him up - especially that first term. Bizarrely if I get him there early (which I need to as I have a younger DD to get elsewhere), I can drive it in about 12 minutes, whereas by public transport it takes him about 50 mins (train to E Croydon and then bus/tram). Later though I let him use public transport more. Even now (Y8) if he has a singing rehearsal before school (usually 8.10) or an activity after school (finishing anything 4.45-5.30) I will drive him if I can as it frees up time for homework etc.
When he was in JBugs he used to get about 1.5 homework a night, but often took longer. Now he can be 2-2.5 hours each night so getting back at about 6.30 and having a meal can make it a very long evening.
He did, and still does get very tired, especially if there is a special event on such as concert preparation involving several sessions a week.
The boys are encouraged to do extra curricular activities - a lot are at lunchtime, but main sports training sessions and choir/orchestral rehearsals are after school.
www.trinity-school.org/school-diary the school diary gives an idea of activities/times etc

My youngest currently 9 already does a long day and prep tends to accumulate at the w/e, he manages quite well although all his siblings leave around 7 - 7.20am and don't get home until after 5, his brother who is at W doesn't get back until 6pm, he previously got the bus but his after school activities have been done and if he's really tired has a sleep before doing prep, but he is in sixh form and stays up late. The winter term is the hardest for everyone with the lack of daylight but they gradually get into the swing of things especially by the Summer Term and things get easier the older they get.

Thanks so much Seeline & Cheshire1996 for sharing on travel/tiredness question. My goodness, that seems like such a hard life in comparison to what we have now at priamary Y6 - DS even complains & moans about how much they work preparing for Sats but that is nothing like what you described at T. & W. especially with hours of homework every day! If that is what it is like and how so busy they are, the distance to school would be even more of a deciding factor for us...

mum3074 my son started in year6 W this year. He gets up at 630, small breakfast, dressed, double check bag packed with right stuff, out the door at 7 for school bus at 710. They get to school about 8 and he has a cooked breakfast there, best part of his day! Year 6 at W have nearly 2 hour lunch break, time for food plus quiet reading, then an hour for a club/training/library. They are encouraged to join a club/train every day, but this is enforced in my experience. School finishes at 345, he used to wait for school bus back (dont leave until 515, OK if you have training or club), but didnt like waiting. So now every day he makes the trek back to South Croydon, then to Clapham Junction with what looks like half the school and hes home by 445. Bite to eat and max an hour homework. Or on training days, he is home about 6. Still quicker than the school bus.

I was nervous about him on train and bus first of all, but he's very confident doing it, he loves the independence and so many W boys on the trains too. just needs reminding to keep his bags close! Been to lost property at London Bridge a couple of times!

He was very tired at October half term and Christmas, but refreshed after the holidays. His weekends are usually pretty chocka too, school match, plus club rugby/football too. He absolutely loves it there, never a complaint getting up!

Hope that helps

Poor old Whitgift - too snooty for some, not posh enough for others, dear oh dear... somehow or other they manage to keep the applications rolling in though,

Personally I love the fact that, being slap bang in the middle of Croydon, this is one school that is always going to be rooted in Real Life, peacocks or no peacocks...

Fwiw, ds is up at 6.45, leaves home around 7.30am jumps on the bus and gets to school just after 8am. Breakfast is definitely a highlight (second breakfast that is, I do feed him, honest!) and the two-hour lunch break does help with giving the boys some R&R. Ds tells me he even goes to the library sometimes . Bus home, usually back by 4.30ish, snack, wind down, homework varies between 30mins and 1.5 hours I would say. Bed around 8.30 (mean mummy). Tired, yes, especially when it comes to extra-curricular activities and late nights for performances etc, but really, the boys seem to thrive on it all.

Organisation was definitely a factor in year 6, but improving in year 7. It's abig change from a tiny state primary but I wouldn't have done it any other way. And nor would he!

I must be much more common than I thought

W would be easier journey for our DS and we are weighing up transport should we get both T and W (i can dream!). Just one 15/20 min bus journey straight there for W whereas T unless I drive every day (but could be difficult sometimes cos of work), it's going to be quite a difference. I had a horrible journey to secondary school and it did impact my school life quite a bit as it's the thing I remember most about said school so need to think it through carefully. Mind you my school was a dump which I wouldn't wish on anyone so that probably didn't help! Had I been travelling to W or T it might have been different.

A question for W parents. We are probably looking at a full fee place and so are aware of, and have planned for, the commitment of fees for the foreseeable. I was wondering however, how much the extras are?

There are fantastic clubs and sports but if we need to shell out loads over and above the fees, I would like to know ahead of time so we can go in or not with eyes wide open. I am aware of the bus costs (not compulsory), lunch costs (compulsory)and obviously a million pieces of uniform. I have heard that most sports and clubs are included in the fees but does anyone know if/ what the extra costs for more specialist clubs specifically rowing, horseriding, climbing and some of the other clubs that take place offsite?
Also, I am aware most trips are optional, but, where part of the curriculum (e.g. Iceland geography trip) if they tend to be reasonably priced-(say 300-400£ vs twice that or more.)
It would be nice to have a rough idea up front how much, over and above the 17k+ we should budget rather than think everything is included and feel put upon every time the chequebook comes out to pay for extras.

Bit horse riding is subsidised by the school for boys doing modern pentathlon and costs only £10 an hour. Cost of trips vary ie I believe Dubai football trip is quite expensive but cricket trip to Spain under £600. Apart from that maybe 2-3 day trips £10 each approx, music lessons £165 a term approx (optional) breakfast £3 per day approx (optional). I'm sure some others on here can pick up on anything I've missed.

Bit - also plan for the possibility of increase in fees of 4 - 5% p.a. Could easily be above 20k in a couple of years!
Most co-curricular clubs are free . Other costs though might include hockey sticks, cricket gear (helmet, pads etc), rugby & football boots, oh and SWEETS .. Don't know where they come from but keep finding empty packets (big packets) of them tucked away in corners of the house, Ds denies all knowledge of course

Bit
My son started at W in yr6 now in yr8 the full uniform including both sport kits all the bags cost just under £500. School trips (no geography to Iceland) so far but trips to museum, local religious centre, and trip to London cost just a few pounds. Most expensive is two trips for cricket camp to Spain during the Easter holiday approx. £550 for 5 days (not compulsory). After yr7 you have to pay for school meal via a smart card you top this up and the boys use it to pay for their meal, warning keep an eye on the balance my son was charged £22 for one meal and sadly the card is managed by an outside company (Wise Pay) The smart have two options hot meal or snack when you top up the card you select either options if you top up hot meal option you son cannot use it to pay for snack.

Thanks so much for all who shared their travel/tiredness/homework experience (mummyinatizz,paleviewofhills,seeline,Cheshire1996) - a lot of food for thought and it confirmed for us that we should take daily travelling to school and back time into consideration very seriously when choosing (fingers crossed for having a choice!) a school for DS.

Thanks Burnt, Caribbean,I'vegotacold- very helpful. Had counted on fee increases matching inflation, so need to revise these! Wow,500£ for uniform and kit plus football, rugby boots, hockey sticks etc. Had seen uniform list just hadn't added it all up!! Tbh more worried about where we would keep it all.