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Original poster

The Trinity-Whitgift-Dulwich-Alleyns 10+/11+ thread 2015 PART 2

144 replies

Firefox1066 · 09/03/2015 19:18

Part 1 of this thread can be found here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/a2258026-The-Trinity-Whitgift-Dulwich-Alleyns-10-11-thread-2015

This is the follow on...

OP posts:
serendipity200 · 03/05/2015 12:43

Given that WCGS passed a larger number of boys than the other GS's (550 ish) in total in the second stage, it would appear that they must have had a lower number of first preference choices. It is good news for those bright boys who didn't pass the second stage test and were resolved to seven years of private fees. A one terms fee sacrifice although painful, might be bearable knowing that you will have 20 terms 'free' schooling to come. Best case scenario though, the private schools may not charge you the fee. Well done to your DS and good luck with 'negotiating' with the school.

neanananaweek1972 · 05/05/2015 14:26

Thank you seeline!
Hope all ok omnishambles

mikejan21 · 16/05/2015 09:32

Is it T or W? I know of at least 1 person who changed mind re T late in day and did not pay term's fees and had deposit reimbursed. They do not put that in the contract for obvious reasons but it is at their discretion.

What is the WCGS saga?

DidntGetTheEmail · 26/05/2015 13:14

So Dr Barnett will retire this year...interesting times at Whitgift.

basildonbond · 26/05/2015 13:46

It's not entirely unexpected- he's been there for an age and has transformed the place

I should imagine there'll be some extremely strong candidates

Original poster
Firefox1066 · 26/05/2015 18:31

It'll be very interesting as to who is next and what direction s/he drives the school in. I suspect, there will be an even bigger academic drive but I may well be wrong

OP posts:
InASchoolsDilemma · 26/05/2015 19:34

mikejan21 The WCGS saga is that WCGS has not been able to fill its numbers this year. They passed 550 boys after the second stage, but still haven't filled the 120 places. They have been contacting those who passed the SETs but not part 2 and offering them places.

Ladymuck · 26/05/2015 20:16

I can think of a number of former Whitgift staff who may consider applying for the post. It is increasingly unusual to have someone in post for so long. He will be a hard act to follow. But with an announcement now, and the summer to prepare the recruitment process, not only will the school have the strongest field of candidates to choose form, but the new head will be announced before the next round of entrance exams.

tiredbetty · 01/06/2015 21:45

So Mr Bishop is leaving Trinity in Summer 2016. I know there's nothing you can do about it, but feel gutted. DS starting in September, so will only have the joy of one year under his headship.

WalkingThePlank · 01/06/2015 22:07

So am I right that both the Head and Chair of Board of Governors have resigned?

Am aiming for Trinity for my son and I was under the impression that Messers Bishop and Barwell contributed to the school's ethos in a very positive way.

Seeline · 02/06/2015 08:05

As far as I am aware Wlaking Gavin Barwell is still Chairman of the Trinity Committee (ie board if governors). He signed the letter informing us of Mr B's resignation. We've had no other correspondence yet......
I too am gutted tiredbetty - my DS started JBugs in 2012, and Mr B told us all then that he had jus signed a new 10 year contract. we were really pleased as that would have seen out our whole time at T.

WalkingThePlank · 02/06/2015 10:42

Here's the Gavin Barwell info: www.gavinbarwell.com/blog.asp?BlogID=1067

We are very much set on Trinity for our son so are a bit perturbed by this. What do existing parents make of it?

Seeline · 02/06/2015 11:36

Interesting Walking Parents haven't been informed of Mr Barwell's departure. Not sure what to make of it to be honest....

mikejan21 · 02/06/2015 16:31

The Importance of Being Earnest comes to mind... To lose is misfortune but to lose both.....

I suspect there is a bigger back story which will emerge at some point. As it is accepted that Heads make a school I think many prospective pupils' parents will have hearts in mouths.

neanananaweek1972 · 02/06/2015 18:05

Yes, I am one of them! So does that mean that the heads of both Whitgift and Trinity leave in the same year? Like you say, there must be more to this than is being said.....

SoupDragon · 02/06/2015 18:11

I think it is a shame Mr Bishop is leaving Trinity as he is wonderful. As it seems so sudden, I'm worried that there may be health reasons (this is pure speculation and I have no reason to think there are!). The deputy head left last year so there will have been a complete change at the top in a short space of time.

DSs are Y11 and 9.

bananadrama · 02/06/2015 19:26

I too have a DS at Trinity & am also very sad to hear that Mr Bishop is leaving. He was a big factor in us deciding to send our DS to the school. He really has been an excellent head. I also had no idea that Mr Barwell was stepping down too!

neanananaweek1972 · 02/06/2015 19:40

OK, I am trying to look at this rationally. Mr Bishop is leaving, slightly unexpectedly but with reasons that may or may not come to light. Mr Barwell was elected so he needs to be busy doing that. But can someone tell me why the deputy head left? Is it all coincidence?

SoupDragon · 02/06/2015 20:18

Deputy went to dulwich Colledge in China.

Sharmila10 · 02/06/2015 20:41

"Fashion comes and goes, but style never changes"

I see no reason for parents (present and future) to worry about heads leaving, it is always inevitable. As long as the fabric and culture of the school is strong, which in both T & W they are, then a new head only has to maintain that and make it stronger for the next person after them. Both the heads have achieved that in their respective ways and neither school will be at a loss. They will pick wisely I am sure, but as parents we just need to support our kids and the teachers and the (new) heads.

BitByBit · 03/06/2015 13:19

A question for W parents and a thank you for the advice re Lamy pens, jumpers etc. My DS had his uniform fitting this week, and we got most of the kit - had to order some things as they had run out of the smaller sizes - blazers, rugby kit etc. We were told that if he is going to wear a jacket over his blazer that it needs to be one of the Whitgift ones. He has a navy one almost identical to it. Are they really that strict on this? Seems a shame to buy a coat almost identical to one he already has if I don't need to.

I have a bag of Whitgift uniform from a friend's DS which I had assumed he would have to wait to wear but looking at what he was fitted in - almost all of which are the smallest sizes they offer - looks like he may well be able to use some of it now!

Anyone have any idea how much items sell for at the uniform sale?
Wondering if I should pick up extra sport kit/ uniform for the inevitable losses.

SoupDragon · 03/06/2015 13:27

I think spare sports kit is a good idea. not so much for losses but, certainly at T, if they end up playing for a team they can be wearing it for games, training and the match. That's a lot of quick washing!

BitByBit · 03/06/2015 14:10

Good point Soup Dragon.... will definitely get at least one extra set!

Ladymuck · 03/06/2015 15:08

And definitely worth getting sports kit in second hand sale if you can as after a few uses you can't tell the difference between new and secondhand. Also worth talking to your dentist re gumshields as some will do them on NHS.

dippingbackin · 03/06/2015 20:24

They do need to wear the school coat at W. DS went with his own one for a few days and they then told all the boys they had to be the school one.

They are pretty reasonable, wash well and are v. v. warm so I was pleasantly surprised. In fact I have been known to through it on for a quick pop to the end of the road.

DS' is massive so will last, I hope.