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....

Congrats tiredbetty (or indeed relievedbetty now!!) and to all who got the news they wanted. Big hugs to those who didnt get good news...all of our DC's are awesome and Im sure they will end up at a place where they will thrive.

Congrats to all those who got good news. Sorry to hear that gilbo.i am sure your DS will get in to grammar. Inschooldilema what a fantastic news your have. My DS has been offered 5% scholarship from W. I rang school admission office yesterday. Wanted them to review.DS passed 3 grammars too.inschool Whst percentage your DS has been offered? I heard maximum U can get 50%.

Vik123, great news about your DS. I hope they are able to review for you. It has been known to happen in the past. It's all a mixed bag, I've heard from 2 of my friends. One DS passed 2 grammars in Sutton and got full fees offer from W, she was shocked, as he is really bright.
Another passed St O, again full fees at both W & T.

A 50% scholarship is fairly rare (usually one per year), and usually goes to a very good all rounder, so someone who would be musical and sporty as well. Bear in mind that the holder of such an award has to be able to hold their own on a fairly competitive environment. Over 400 boys have passed Wilson's, but Whitgift will have only offered 50 odd scholarships, Trinity even fewer.

There's no harm in asking for a review, though I would probably wait a few days so that the initial flurry of rejections/acceptances come in and the schools know how much they have left in their pot.

Vik123 Firstly, congrats to you and your DS. On the scholarship thing, very very very few children will get the max, or even close to the max (which is indeed 50%). As resources are finite, it is essentially a zero sum game and the school has to decide whether to spread say 5 x 10% schol, rather than 1 x 50% IYSWIM.

I do have a theory also, which is that the indies know that they cannot compete with the grammars obviously on cost and as such, will only really offer high scholarships to a few selected candidates. This is because for many parents, a reduction of say 10% on the c.£18k for W and £c.15k for T, is unlikely to be material enough to sway parents away from grammars.

Just my two cents of course.

Thanks for your comments lady,fire and somelike. I totally agree with fire n lady. Actually I am not expecting 50% from them. my DS went to test teach tuition in sutton. Wonder any of urs have been to that place. DS said compare to grammar school paperes w is very easy.DS sat for sutton mock tests too. He got very high marks out of over 1000 kids. So as I know his previous exam results I think 5% is bit questionable. ( doesn't mean greedy) what is yours openion grammar vs w. I haven't decided yet. Any suggetions. Tx

I agree with Firefox and ladyM. I know a couple of people who got revised up by 5% and 10%, but those people had scholarships elsewhere, which they used to negotiate.

Also I don't think for everyone, the scholarship is necessarily about the money, but a thing of honour/ prestige...

In terms of academics, wilsons may be more pushy, but I'm not sure the overall results at GCSES and 6th form/ university destinations are significantly better. I think in independent schools generally you get a lot more co-curricular exposure ( music, arts in general, sports etc), and as a result more well rounded compared to grammars. Grammars tend to focus on academics, although Wilson does offer limited sports. I'm sure there are others that can expand on this, but this is just a quick summary of my views.

All the best.

Viks - remember W doesn't just make decisions about places and scholarships based on the raw exam scores - the interview is very important too plus what else a boy can bring to the school, sport, music, drama etc

The highest award I know of among ds's friends is 30% but that boy is extremely academic and musical too. Another boy has a substantial (>25%) scholarship topped up to 100% with a bursary but he is very academic, plays two instruments to a high standard and is national level at one sport and was county level at a second.

The school also doesn't like it when boys have undergone extensive tuition as they'd rather have potential they can work with

You've already been given a generous bursary so only you and your family can decide if the rest of the school experience will be worth the extra money

Your ds is obviously bright so will get good exam results anywhere. I would be very surprised if your offer was improved but I suppose there's no harm in asking!

Hi all,

Just to share our news too, full fee offers at both T&W 10+. Now to agonise whether to accept (this will be T, W's extra 3000 is completely prohibitive) or wait for next year to see if he can get into grammar or get a scholarship / bursary.

When I decided to sit him, I thought it would be a good test, to see where he is at and what the process is like, but then it turned out so stressful that I am unwilling to go through it second time round, especially knowing the outcome can be the same or worse.

Congrats!! Olgius well done to your DS! We are leaning more towards W due to the flexi boarding provision which will be useful for us in the future. Will feel very strange to turn down T as we have DN there but we will give it a few days before making the final decision

Vik - bond is right. It was explained to us that W are looking for potential. So some boys who are tutored heavily to pass the exam may have already peaked and have nothing left to give or develop over the next few years, whereas a child who could have done less well in the exam but at interview shows huge potential will be preferred. this is different to the Grammars who simply take the top passmarks.
Academic scholarships are of course given for good results but these are supplemented further by a talent in music, sport, drama or even DT now.
I guess a boy who trounces the exam without tutoring and shows potential in interview would get a higher academic scholarship?

Thanks Firefox Many congrats to you too!
I know what you mean about flexiboarding, could be useful for us too, but I guess we'll have to continue using friends :))

For us, it is just such a tough decision financially, hard to make it.

We will be heading to T to in September. So so pleased!

Oh Omni...I am so pleased to hear that!! Congrats to you and your DS!

Thanks . I really liked the letters to the boys, DS is now poring over all the literature we have and wants to know what a 'bag sweep' is.

Tx for your comments. in terms of this scholarship offer I would like to let you know few things. my DS has passed few music exams (royal college of music).Deputy head master told me he was so pleased with My DS ( interview). I asked my DS what he was asked. First why he chose this school. Then about the history n second world war. Why history is important to us these days. what is the topic he is studying at school these days. (My DS has told A to Z about second world war. Topic is water world n evaporation. ) he has been asked how many pupils in his school. He has told exactly. Then deputy asked how do u know exactly. Answer was I am head prefect of boys. I just told u these as I think this interview may have been advantage for this decision

Vik, did I read it right that you have been offered 70% off and have grammar places almost definately in the bag? Am not sure thats a position I would be complaining about and I do mean that kindly!

Vik - but you don't know what the other boys said in their interviews - no one is doubting that your son is bright and talented but so are many other boys - he sounds like he'll do well wherever he goes

I'd say you have a great offer from W, Vik123. Of course, if 31% of the fees is still too much, then it's too much and it never hurts to ask for an review. But in all honesty it sounds as if your ds has done very well indeed, especially if you feel that grammar offers are likely too.

I'm afraid that analysing the interview is probably only worthwhile if you know what all the other boys said!

Best of luck to you and your ds - I'm sure he will do very well wherever he ends up.

In other words, what omni and basildon said! Must read previous posts

Scholarships these days are getting rarer and smaller. My DH benefitted from a 100% scholarship to Hampton - I'd be amazed if such a thing exists anymore.

We've had two scholarship offers for DD - one for 20% and one for £500 - and are hugely grateful for both. We'll accept the 20% one and it will definitely take the edge of the fees and allow us a bit more wriggle room. We also like the fact that as a scholar DD will be publicly recognised for her achievement at her new school - unlike my Comp where being a 'boffin' was definitely not cool.

But I do think these schools are moving in the right direction by shifting scarce resources from scholarships to bursaries. So Vik I would be grateful for what you've been offered. Talk to the bursar if the fees are going to be a struggle and get the bursary reviewed but please don't assume your DS if more deserving of a scholarship than others - you simply can't know that.

I'm so glad Omni. I have been waiting to hear your news. We will be at T too.

Yay, I look forward to us all comparing uniform notes .

Omni a bag sweep is simply when the corrdo are cleared of all bags, books and kit! Often so the school looks clean and tidy before an open day ;)

Ah I see. DS suggested it was when they went through bags looking for Toxic Waste! Thanks Seeline.