ALL NEW; WHITGIFT/TRINITY/DULWICH/ALLEYNS 10+/11+ 2016

[MrsPatmore]

Thought I'd go ahead and start. Found the old threads really interesting and would welcome ongoing input from those who've been through the whole process.
Ds in Year 5 and we are looking at a mixture of grammar schools and indies for 11+ Whitgift recommended this year - we've been told there is a drive to raise academic standards. We're going to the Open afternoon on 10th Nov.

Just had a call from Trinity offering a music scholarship audition next week. The first day/time suggested wasn't particularly convenient for me so the lady outlined quite a few other empty 'slots' for orchestral stringed instrument candidates. So don't despair if you are still waiting.

Ignore that! DH thought it was a text but it was an email!

Hi it was W - 11+ and by letter today for scholarship next Tuesday. I get the impression they are releasing it all a day at a time.

Ladymuck, that's the best news ive heard in a long, long time. I used to have nightmares about the dreaded high birth rate year my DS is in - having been a victim of it way back at reception when he had no school place. My worse fear was we'd get no offers this year due to weight of numbers. You're a star.

123 was music.

We have also just received an email from Trinity informing us that we will be contacted for an interview date within two weeks. Very relieved indeed! Check your emails if waiting!

What a splendid innovation! I do hope Whitgift will consider a similar approach which would help to put parents' minds at ease. Glad it is good news!

Just got an email about Trinity too. What an excellent idea. Hope everyone else is getting good news too. So glad you are all here on this thread going through this with me :)

So if this year isn't turning out to be as 'bulgy' as forecast for the state sector in Croydon, I wonder if that means that applications to the independents will be down too? Anyone heard any figures to support or deny that?

Sorry, too much good news, I had to be the one with bad news . A tad disappointed but it was totally expected. I got the letter from T.

sorry mummy, I know that's gutting, hopefully you have other options on the go. I am a firm believer that they end up in the right school for them and if its a no, it's not the right environment for them.

jgjg..., good question. There has been an increase in the number of state secondary school places, but not a corresponding increase in the independent schools. The number of year 6 children is up on previous years. I would therefore expect independent applications to be at the same level or possibly higher than before, but I haven't heard anything specifically.

mummytummy am also for you... Head up... OpWhen one door closes another will open x

Awwww 123littlepigs we don't have much choice if he can't pass his exams!

" I wonder if that means that applications to the independents will be down too? Anyone heard any figures to support or deny that?"

I don't think it's a terribly good indicator, as so many now commute from Clapham Junction. As applications are up in the more central schools, I think it's quite possible The Fear is leading more people to apply to big schools a little further out but on an easy journey.

Perhaps when people go in for interviews they could tactfully ask about this year's numbers?

Very sorry for your disappointment mummytummy. I really do agree with foragogo on this subject and in the end the right thing for your son will come his way

Call from Trinity this evening - interview arranged now.

I did ask a teacher in Trinity on the test day - how many sat the test he said 480. There was a bit of a discrepancy on that figure though (on another site) someone else was told 380.

So glad I found this thread. DS is 9 and at v average state. We started tutoring in September which has been massively helpful in terms of both exam prep and targets/levels at school.

We applied for Whitgift and Emanuel. Like both for different reasons. We got turned down for sports scholarship at Emanuel but interview went well and he sat exam today. Said he found it easier than Whitgift exam but it was very very busy.

Whitgift exam was last week. He said he found it difficult but did his best. We got letter yesterday asking him to Sports Assessment Day (he is swimmer & gymnast which E weren't interested in) so I rang today to ask what that means and lovely Admissions lady said he has passed the exam and will receive interview soon. Am so so pleased for him. No prep at all from his school so proud of how hard he's worked. Apparently they are interviewing 700 pupils across all age groups at W so quite a task organising them.

It has been utterly nerve-racking though. Our nearest state secondary is truly dreadful so do feel the pressure.

Good luck to everyone and sorry for anyone with ad news.

Sorry to hear your news mummytummy3. This whole process is honestly quite stressful.

I've just picked up an email from T saying DS has gone through to the interview stage. Do parents get interviewed at T, or is it just a W thing?

Congrats Berora don't think we get interviewed, just the boys.

Thank you, foragogo, and the same to you! Looks like we are slowly edging forwards . Glad it's just the boys, I am rubbish at interviews...

Does anyone's interview letter from W say anything about parents attending? Ours in addressed to our son and doesn't mention anything about parents being interviewed. Or have we missed this point in earlier paperwork?

Didn't get a letter - on the phone W said they like to see both parents if possible

Thanks! Ignore me - in haste I'm not even reading letters properly now. It clearly says about meeting parents!!! Doh!! When do we get our sleep back?!!

Berora - in the past I think parents are only involved in interviews at T if a scholarship of some sort is in the offing. However, they seem to be doing things slightly differently this year so that may have changed.