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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:
Gilbo1972 · 13/02/2015 14:14

Congratulations to all! First here with bad news :-( no offer from T. Very disappointed, how could they not want him?! Fingers crossed he gets a Grammar school place, i don't think I can go through the disappointment again. Anyone got any tips on how to break the news to DS? I have resealed the letter before I wet it with my tears... Blub!

Liquorice12 · 13/02/2015 14:23

Know what you mean neannana. I didn't realise we wouldn't be told T fees at offer stage. Guess the only way is to work out how much incrementally fees have increased there over the last few years and make a rough estimate! But it does seem a little like agreeing to buy something hugely expensive without knowing the exact cost which in normal circumstances we'd never do!!

mum3074 · 13/02/2015 14:23

Firefox1066, well done, you got your news at last and good ones!

mum3074 · 13/02/2015 14:34

Sorry to hear Gilbo1972 - hope you will get a Grammar place, not long to wait now. We will be agonising over dilemma too as DS passed 2 out of Sutton Grammar schools and as much as we are thrilled today with getting a place at T. or RR. (we will not be considering a full fee offer at W. as it is out of question for us as we can not afford that at all) it is hard not to be tempted with a possible place at a fantastic free school...

Liquorice12 · 13/02/2015 14:35

Oh Gilbo am so so sorry to hear that. And everything crossed for you for the grammar school place. When my DS didn't pass the grammars, I just told him he had done so well so far and pointed different achievements he'd had in his life so far and gave him a treat the next day, just for being him. Life is full of ups and downs for all of us at different times. And nobody is better than anyone else even though it might seem like it at times. It is just such a hugely competitive, bascially horrid process this school thing. And to have passed the grammar exams - wow that is a huge achievement that I'm sure quite a lot of our DSs here didn't achieve. Sending you a virtual hug (if there is such a thing). Your DS is a bright boy. He will shine I am sure.

omnishambles · 13/02/2015 14:36

So sorry to hear that Gilbo - we are yet to hear as well and am very worried as am sure DS was borderline.

mum3074 · 13/02/2015 14:43

Agree Liquorice12 with everything you said. Indeed this school marathon is so hard for everyone involved! Fingers crossed for Gilbo1972 to get the grammars place, hopefully the 2nd March will bring a good news for you!

InASchoolsDilemma · 13/02/2015 14:56

Congratulations to everyone who has received offers. Sorry Gilbo - fingers crossed for you for the grammar results.

DS got academic scholarship offers at all 3 of his schools, including T & W. Smile

Gilbo1972 · 13/02/2015 15:22

Thanks peeps, bit of a shock deep down :-( . But I'm a big believer in things happen for a reason. Gutting as one of DS's teachers is good friends with T teachers and she said DS is definitely a T boy, and we are very familiar with Croydon and T's connections so feel a bit snubbed at our own party sort of thing! But I do think it would have crippled us financially! Just don't know how to tell him? Thanks for sharing the journey with us. Xx Enjoy that wine tonight ladies!

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 13/02/2015 15:32

Just watched DS open both letters and great to see him jumping around for joy!

Overall, I feel relief but now myself and DW have to try and work out which shook to take (W is larger schol but fees are more expensive so works out not that much difference)

OP posts:
diaa · 13/02/2015 15:38

Well done to everyone who's heard and got offers! What's a 'good' scholarship? DS has been offered 20% MS. Thanks

Cheshire1996 · 13/02/2015 15:42

Yes, that's a very generous scholarship as nowadays most schools are reducing the amounts offered in order to give more bursaries.

Cheshire1996 · 13/02/2015 15:43

Sorry, that was for Vik123!

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 13/02/2015 15:51

Gilbo So sorry to read your news... Your DS is clearly very bright, so I'm sure we are all praying that you get the news you want come allocation day.

Sending you virtual hugs for today but am sure you'll be smiling come allocation day...

OP posts:
diaa · 13/02/2015 15:54

Sorry Gilbo1972. Fingers crossed on grammars!

Interested1o · 13/02/2015 15:56

So sorry Gilbo. I am sure it will all work out in the end.

Liquorice12 · 13/02/2015 15:57

Well done to your DS Inaschools - that's excellent!

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 13/02/2015 16:02

Wow! Congrats Inaschoolsdilemma

OP posts:
Cheshire1996 · 13/02/2015 16:04

Two years ago one of my dd's was offered a sports scholarship at Caterham and that was 5%, quite a few were also offered the same amount and those from the prep school were offered more, seemingly to get them to stay as they had applied elswhwhere. We took another offer where she got 10% and my other dd also gets the same for her scholarship. Luckily because I had two at the same school they also gave us an additional 5% off both. I didn't put either of my ds's in for a scholarship although it was suggested at interview that the eldest may get one and then didn't, although academically he has done exceptionally well with 4 A's at AS. I would say in this climate that anything above 15% is very good. A few years ago I heard of someone getting a 50% scholarship to T but this is the exception rather than the rule. When my eldest tried one of his friends was offered a scholarship from T and not W and they phoned up to see if W would give them one but they said no and in the event went with W anyway.

neanananaweek1972 · 13/02/2015 16:42

So sorry Gilbo, very hard to be on this thread today.

I rang T and they said fees for this year 2014-15 are £14460 and next year would increase by less than 5%. I hope that helps.

neanananaweek1972 · 13/02/2015 16:44

Congrats inaschools! You must be grinning!

Somelikeithott · 13/02/2015 16:44

Congratulations to everyone who've had good news. Commiserations to Gilbo.. Fingers crossed for grammar option. As you say there is a reason for everything. I'm sure you plan to spoil your DS, he has done really well. They are still so young and this process sometimes feels really hard on them. Lots of TLC and he should be okay, they bounce back quite quickly thankfully.

On my way to work this morning, just before 7am I drove past our local sorting office, there was a queue of about 6 people waiting and I wondered if there were any munsnetters waiting to strike a deal to collect their mail a bit early Smile

All the best to those waiting to hear still and with decision making, looks like quite a few people have good 'dilemmas'

Liquorice12 · 13/02/2015 17:22

Tha's useful to know neannana - T didn't give me that bit of info. We can get our DSs to do the maths and work it out!

Southlondonmummy · 13/02/2015 17:53

For those fortunate to have the grammar/private quandary, we were in the same boat with DS1 a few years ago. We agonised then decided we couldn't look a gift horse in the mouth and went for Wilson's. Absolutely no regrets and the whole family is off skiing tomorrow as a direct result of us not having to pay (scholarship reduced) fees for DS1! My advice would be - if you're genuinely delighted when you get a grammar offer and the cost of the privates is a worry, then don't be sucked in to the privates.

The advice I got at the time (on Mumsnet, obviously!) was that parents of a boy on the grammar waiting list would be willing me to accept the private place. Nuff said.

That said, DS2 didn't pass the grammars so it's definitely private for him as the state offerings near here are shocking. No scholarships or bursaries offered, though. This may very well be our last ever family skiing holiday! Hmm

tiredbetty · 13/02/2015 18:01

Offers from both T and W for us. Delighted. Congrats to all and commiserations to those who haven't got what they wanted.