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....

Anyone else feel a sense of irony that we are fretting about getting the "privilege" to pay almost £20k a term??!!!!

It's the schools who be worried that we will choose THEM!

mum3074 We were a bit worried about the journey before my DS started W in Y6 (now in Y7) but it's been absolutely fine for us. DS has been getting the train since Y6, travelling with lots of boys going to both T & W. I hear they have fun on the journey and there seem to be plenty of senior boys willing to help / look after them on the rare occasions when they may have to deal with a delay etc. There's quite a line/crowd of boys walking from S Croydon station in the morning and they are all instructed to cross at the right places with prefects keeping an eye on them and ensuring that they do! I think the school offers a shuttle service to the stations in the darker winter months. I know a few families using the school bus service too - and that seems to work well. I'd advise doing the journey in person with your DS if you are considering a public transport route (after your get the offer or course) and you may find it is more straightforward than you imagine.

DS is thoroughly enjoying W - and we are really pleased. No regrets at all. Always amazed at how well mannered the boys are - but they all seem to be great confident characters too (not many shrinking violets). DS has made some v good friends. Starting in Y6 and taking part in the "bonding" LG trip helped. While Y7 is a much bigger year - they all seem to know the boys in all the other forms and having most of the lessons in the lower school means they feel looked after rather than lost.

My DS gets to school at 8am most days for pre-school activities and home by 4.45 most nights, 5,45 when he has training / after school activities. Homework can be up to 2 hours - but only when revising + homework. Usually an hour and half. DS falls in to bed happy but exhausted about 8.30pm, ready to be woken about 6.30. The lure of waffles, pancakes and / or full english "second breakfast" at school always helps get him out of the door!

Hope that helps.

*nearly £20k a YEAR not term of course!!!

These are great schools offering wonderful opportunities for bright energetic children - my two boys at T are very busy but very happy. They fit a tremendous amount in each day, and are motivated to pack it all in because it's rewarding and fun. We do seem to drive to school back and forth many times each week, although they do take public transport once or twice a week, and while we are fortunate not to live too far away, other families live further afield and they find ways to make their travelling work out successfully too. The other thing to bear in mind is that little primary school kids grow up, and all too quickly they build up stamina and become much more independent, and indeed often enjoy being given the responsibility of getting to school under their own steam.

Hi All, we are trying again at T 11+ and others as no luck last year at T 10+. I have a friend whose DS is now at T 10+, he is a lovely boy and travels from Clapham Junction every day to South Croydon, then bus to T. He is never alone on train/bus as there are so many boys, T or W. She said that there was no point in getting the school bus as it was far too early on the way out and late on the way back. Commuting does not seem an issue, more so the kit: schoolbag, sportsbag with any number of shoes (rugby, football, astro, indoor's etc), not to forget the odd instrument (violin, guitar etc). It is a bit heavy and she told me there was another boy in Y7 (!) who could not carry his sportbag.. They do get much stronger though. Also, it is true they spend lots of time in school but not doing 'hard sums' all day: science lab lessons are very exciting. It seems they have just completed the 'egg re-entry project': build protection around an egg so that it does not break when dropped from the science block's roof ... Sounds like fun to me!

Anyhow, good luck to all as T will certainly take less boys this Sept at 11+ considering the extra JBug form this year...

From up thread, the stats were possibly 75 places for 11+ at T. If there is another jbug form, does that mean that there are less than 75 places at 11+?

Anyone Know?

neana I believe that T & W have "ideal" numbers from Year 7:

T 11+ 75 + 45 JBugs = 120

W 11+ 120 + 70-80 Lower First = c200

The difference between the two schools is that apparently T stick more rigidly to their ideal numbers and thus the extra JBug form (T took 55 last year at 10+) is likely to mean a reduced number of offers for 11+.

Lol, Firefox, you got me worried there for a minute @ 20k per term. I was thinking, does she know something I don't! ( can't seem to use the 'smileys' on my ipad).

Oh! And what is it about this 2nd breakfast? DS is always asking to have breakfast at school, we indulge him occasionally, thankfully his siblings dragging their feet in the mornings, means he doesn't always get in early enough for another breakfast.

AllNewToUs SpritzCookieMonster ipreferletters - thanks so much for more information from the "insider" point of view! The main message from all the posts on the topic seems to be that the school will take a lot of their time but the boys do not mind as they have a good mix of activities/lessons and most importantly have enough fun. It is reassuring to know that tiredness will be balanced out by fun. We (he) will be traveling by public transport and he has not done it alone yet so it was great to hear that the boys adjust to it quickly and also have pals to travel with. Just out of curiosity, is that yammy breakfast free (included in fees) or paid for? as a few of you commented on it being an important part of the boys day!

Mum3074 - in Yr6/7 the school lunch is mandatory and is added on to the fee invoice. In Yr8, they can bring a packed lunch if preferred (I think??!). The breakfast (if they have it) they pay for separately. I think it's pretty good value though - when my DS is going in early and hasn't had time to eat much at home, he usually asks for a bit of cash to get some breakfast. I think £2 should cover it. Guess it depends how much time they have to eat and their appetite! DS only buys it a couple of times a week. I'm sure there are many boys who just eat at home and go straight to registration. I think in Y8 they can begin to use the smartcard for all food purchases.

Mum3074, no not included in fees, which is why I'm not too hard on DS's siblings in the mornings, as long as they aren't late for school. It frustrates DS no end, but we are happy to save a few more pennies! I can't remember how much, I think just over £2 or so, depending on what they have.

DS is always rearing to get to school in the mornings, and happily gets on with his homework without prompting him. So they do adjust quite quickly.

Crossed posts all new to us.

All this talk of breakfast - I've worked up an appetite and ready for an early lunch . Good luck all new families and boys.

My DS doesn't fancy much breakfast at home at 630 (don't blame him), so i'm happy for him to have a 2nd breakfast at W, spends £2/3, maybe 3 days a week. I know its more money, but on these cold dark mornings, happy that he has something decent to eat.

Thank you everyone for your very helpful input. This forum has been such an invaluable resource for me especially as a first timer researching schools from overseas. So thank you again to all of you. All the comments on the travel / tiredness has also been very interesting! It's going to be a shock to the system for my little lad coming from a sheltered little expat bubble...

It's that time before the dreaded day when all those little questions you haven't given much thought to come to mind as we all endure The Wait..Question for those who have a DS at T mainly but would also like to hear the W stance on this: both schools promote their extra-curricular activities. I wondered what the expectation on DS is to do many of these? My DS already does a few things after school which he loves - to be exact three times a week but I think with homework, anything else would be too much. In fact I'm thinking he might have to give up one of them. Do they absolutely have to do one of the activities after school at T or W? - I sort of got the impression from T they did.

Licorice12 no need to worry - T does not expect every boys to do lots after school. Boys are encouraged to commit to a couple of clubs each term, but does not stipulate that any have to be after school. Numerous activities happen before school, and during lunchtimes, so there are lots to choose from! T do monitor the boys' participation and that gets recorded and reported to Parents every term. There is I believe a positive correlation between the number of activities and academic achievement - i.e. the busiest seem to achieve higher academically. T really values out of school activities too - I heard that they asked one boy why he was not doing more clubs and activities, however the school was quite satisfied when he explained that he was a national ballroom dancer, and couldn't fit much more around his training!

Liquorice - if boys are picked for teams they are expected to go to the training sessions - which are usually after school, once a week. Other sports activities are usually after school, but some are at lunch. Lots of the other 'interest' clubs (eg chess, debating etc) and 'academic' clubs (eg history, languages etc) are at lunchtime, or even before school. Music things are at various times throughout. Again, the school diary will give you some idea, although not all clubs are in there! www.trinity-school.org/school-diary Also activities, particularly sports, change from term to term. As Sprizt says, boys are encouraged to join 2 -3 activities each term, but it is certainly not compulsory.

worried to read above that there are very few 13+ places on offer at W is this correct?

Yes - they take very few at 13 - the head would much rather have boys start at 11 or preferably 10 as there's so much more time before they're in the midst of public exams

You'd have a higher chance of 13+ if going for a boarding place, I suspect

ok. he is going for a boarding place too.

Thanks Spritz and Seeline for activities info.

All gone (understandably) quiet in this thread! This time next week......

I have a new question about 13+ and its impact on 11+ boys . DS (hopefully/ possibly) arrives at new school and makes friends in Y7 then in y9 a load of new boys arrive many if whom will know each other from the local prep. How does that impact on the boys already there? Is it like starting all over again? Would a school without a big 13+ entry be better? Any views or insights welcome. Thanks