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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:
Ladymuck · 10/02/2015 15:05

Due to rumours that parents are sitting for more schools than in previous years, there may well be more waitlist places than in previous years. For any individual school demand looks to be high, but everyone is conscious that there will be empty seats somewhere. W&T already overoffered at 10+ last year, so may be cautious this year.

A4 and thick should be good, but schools may also want a response to a WL letter, so I wouldn't rely on this.

AnotherNewt · 10/02/2015 15:08

Offer (because as well as letter, it contains useful bumf and things they need real signatures on) = A4 envelope and fairly thick

Wait list offer = letter perhaps with one other sheet, usually in small envelope, but can be A4 thin

No thanks = single sheet, standard small envelope

Liquorice12 · 10/02/2015 15:25

Getting nervous too now...excruciating isn't it. Eating more chocolate and biting more fingernails than usual.

omnishambles · 10/02/2015 15:35

I was wondering about the envelope thing though as yes obvs a rejection will be thin but also don't they have to send all of your reports etc back and wouldn't that be a thicker envelope or do we not get them back, gulp.

Liquorice12 · 10/02/2015 15:36

Good question Gilbo about whether letters definitely arrive Friday. I suppose if it didn't you'd have to ring. Couldn't you bribe said postman/woman with chocolate to do your road first that day? Maybe not.

Liquorice12 · 10/02/2015 15:38

I sent photocopies of reports. Were we supposed to send originals?! Too late to worry about that I suppose.

omnishambles · 10/02/2015 15:47

No! we were supposed to send photocopies but my reports were such that that was very difficult due to the format. sigh.

Liquorice12 · 10/02/2015 16:01

Perhaps they'll send them back at a later stage Omni. Hard to guess isn't it.

omnishambles · 10/02/2015 16:20

If we fail they well have to keep them for our 13+ attempt anyway...wibble

Gilbo1972 · 10/02/2015 17:15

Liqourice 12, I think he thinks I am unstable as it is! Don't really want to frighten him off completely! He might avoid my house...

I had no idea that I would be such Jelly at this stage. [cross-eyed]. Roll on Friday, I can't believe I have eaten so many biscuits this week in an attempt to keep off the wine...

InASchoolsDilemma · 10/02/2015 18:09

We seem to have a different postie this week. The usual one is lovely and would, I'm sure, be open to persuasion (re. doing our road first). But I've never seen this new guy before. Might just accost him tomorrow anyway Smile

burntoutdad · 10/02/2015 18:22

Gilbo- if you let the school know you will be away they may agree to email any offer to you. We had to do that last time and spent a nervous couple of hours at the airport waiting for news - I caved in and called in the end anyway Smile.
We didn't receive any reports or references back from the school but luckily we had kept a copy.
The waiting is almost over, time is going quicker than I thought it would!

Gilbo1972 · 10/02/2015 18:39

I know obviously the schools would like an answer ASAP, so they can move down waiting lists, but, how long do they give you, for you to answer? (if of course [fingers crossed] you get a yes?) and you are away for a few days/less than a week?

Ridiculous isn't it? we've got this far and I would like an answer the old fashioned slow mail way after all this waiting!

neanananaweek1972 · 10/02/2015 19:22

Well I was quite happily not nervous but reading these posts has made me nervous! Time will fly and Friday will be upon us! Had it all sorted in my head then spoke to DS tonight who laid his cards fully on the table and said he prefered the school that I had put in 2nd place, and so I thought had he! Will not sleep Thursday night Confused!!

Ladymuck · 10/02/2015 19:54

Gilbo, you should get until around 4th March to send back your response, though of course they'll be happy to have it sooner. Equally you can phone with any questions or to have another look round.

mummyinatizz · 11/02/2015 16:41

I remember trying to guess the envelope last year.

We got a thin one from Emanuel - a no, and a thinish small one from W - a yes, only 2 sheets of paper in it - the well done letter and an acceptance.

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 11/02/2015 17:12

Thanks mummyinatizz I guess that scuppers my "big envelope is good, small envelope is bad" theory...ah well, not long to go now.

I might emulate MrsSteptoe from last year and set up camp next to the postbox!

OP posts:
Seeline · 12/02/2015 08:22

I remember getting an offer from W, but we had decided to go with T. The W envelope only contained an acceptance form - no space to decline the offer. I rang up the school and asked what they would like us to do - they seemed completely at a loss as to the procedure for someone to turn down an offer Grin We just emailed no thanks in the end!!

snowsjoke · 12/02/2015 10:07

Good luck to you all for the post tomorrow/over the weekend!

citymum3 · 12/02/2015 10:23

City people, are you on 11+ forum too? Seems a few unhappy with process on there too. But also more info about what the boys had to do which I did not get from DS at all....

mum3074 · 12/02/2015 14:48

Hello! Have not been to the thread for several days - tried to block out anything that reminds me of Friday 13th! Can not believe it is actually tomorrow and today all the letters are on their way to our homes! Hopefully it will be good news for everyone and good luck tomorrow!

Interested1o · 12/02/2015 15:03

Why do they post the info - when the state schools can email them? Is it to prolong the agony of waiting?

farewelltoarms · 12/02/2015 15:34

Hello Citymum - went to have a look - and yes it seems like City might have issues with their admissions at the moment. Useful to know that it's not necessarily a reflection of the school.

citymum3 · 12/02/2015 16:09

Farewell- I wondered if it was you posting there as experience sounded so similar. We get our other 3 tomorrow, going to see if I can find where in the letters it said they would consider earlier notification of results at City so I can quote that in support of my application. Hello other City applicants ( you know who you are, you PMd me!)

farewelltoarms · 12/02/2015 16:28

No not me but I thought I might have done it in my sleep it was so similar!