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.

I think as in previous years threads you get told by the HM if he is being considered, HM told us he did extremely well and was being considered but that it is not a given and depends on his interview as suppose this is where they separate the tutored kids vs the naturally bright ones .

So no jeans? Going to have to think about this this weekend. Unfortunately I am too heavy for all my favourite trousers

I normally live in my jeans, but left them at home on W interview day...

BoSelectaBigBiff - thank you for the dress code tip. I think we will go for smart casual, DS is not a fan of buttoned-up school shirts and ties... Thinking of which, he will soon have to wear not only a school tie, but also a blazer, wherever he goes to school in September LOL! Good luck to your DS at T tomorrow!

Hmm. DS1 was interviewed by the assistant head (academic) - but no communication from HM, so I guess no scholarship in the offing then. But the interview seemed very positive, so fingers crossed for a (full fees) offer.

The Alleyn's Saturday interviews are general chats - children are seen by one member of staff and the aim is to get an idea of how that child would fit into the school so they'll be asked about hobbies, interests, what they like best at school, what they want to be when they grow up etc. Apparently most of the children who got Saturday interviews in dd's year were asked what their plans were for the rest of the day. It's done and dusted in 20 minutes and is pretty relaxed although the sheer numbers of children involved is a bit scary. Essentially they're looking for a good mix of talents and personalities.

The scholarship interviews are mid-week and are very different - there are three separate interviews with the head of maths, head of English and the headmaster. The subject interviews are like oral exams however dd really enjoyed the experience and didn't feel under pressure at all

The Alleyn's results usually throw up a few surprises with some children who you'd think would be dead certs not being offered a place

And good luck to your DS tomorrow as well, Berora! I think my DS will be in jeans. Yes - not sure how he'll cope with a tie either. At the moment he has enough trouble just getting to school with everything on the right way round, and with his trousers not tucked into his socks!

DS doesn't like to leave his friends this year. He told the deputy HM parents push him for exam and gives W the impression that he is not ready yet. my goodness , I only ask him go through the sample papers of W before exam. Is that a push?

Thanks, BoSelectaBigBiff! I've had a look through my DS's wardrobe to find a suitable top for tomorrow and I haven't had much luck - somehow it's mainly T-shirts and sweatshirts, and he likes them quite baggy... I really don't want to be shopping for a casual shirt tonight!

Berora, DS1 will be in long sleeved t shirt & jeans. I don't get the impression that trinity will mind - it's always seemed. so lovely and laid back and relaxed. At least, I'm hoping they don't mind(!)

Really sorry to hear that, ElevenPlusSoon. Did you have a chance to explain your son is attached to his friends but would quickly make new ones? Or is your impression that W are suggesting you come back next year? And no, a few sample papers is not a push, just helping your DS to know what to expect...

Thanks again, BoSelectaBigBiff, that is a relief!

Any news on sport scholarship call backs for 10+ and 11+ at W?

ElevenPlusSoon, at least he does still have the option of 11plus - I've known many boys who were deemed not yet "ready" at 10+ who still got places and even scholarships at 11+. Does he know boys already at Whitgift?

Berora, Ladymuck thanks!

Not heard anything yet about 11+ call backs at W for sport.
Good luck to all those with interviews coming up!

Thanks kidstaxidriver! Guess will know tomorrow!

Had our Whitgift 10+ interview today
Most odd experience - the interviewer hardly asked us anything and probably talked more than we did!

He said that 800 boys sat entrance exams this year in total, for 200 places (across all year groups I assume). Although of course we know that in reality the school will offer to more than 200 as not all will take up the offer.

jgjgjgjgjg, I think this would be just 10+ and 11+. W usually take ca.60 boys at 10+ and I know that a few years ago they took 180 at 11+ (and that particular year group ended up being ca. 240, including the boys who joined a year before, at 10+). That suggests that 12+/13+ and 14+ can't be included in the total of 200 as the 13+ intake alone is supposed to be 45 boys. It would be interesting to know what was the split of the 800 applications between 10+ and 11+, but from what I've heard, there is usually less competition for 10+ than 11+ places, which should be good news for you

Those numbers seem a little strange jgijgi. Last year when we did W 10+, around 200 boys sat for 60 places. For 11+ there are around another 140 places and then there are 12, 13 and 14+ also.

Either way, congrats to you and your DS getting an interview. It's a school that we are very very happy with and DS has settled in very well. I personally think that the Lower First Form is a fantastic year for the boys and prepares them really well.

Firefox1066 are you sure there are only 140 places at 11+ these days? That would mean that W reduced the intake... I've just checked my older DS's admission info and W definitely took just over 180 boys into year 7 (11+) when he got in. I don't like the sound of 140 too much ...

Firefox1066 - you are right and I can't read. I looked at numbers on First Form houses list, which of course includes 10+ boys as well as 11+, and then added 10+ boys to it again!!! Good job it's not me who is doing the exams LOL! So, having read, re-read and counted again, my older DS's year group intake at 11+ was just over 120, which means that 140 is an increased intake!

Please ignore my original reply to jgjgjgjgjg - I got it all mixed up there...

T is supposed to be even worse. I've been told only 60 places for 11+ as they took too many 10+ last year. Which would mean 480 sat for 60 places which is not good odds at all! Anyone know if that's right?

Trinity website says approx. 70 boys so it could be as low as 60

Odd experience at T today - not what I was expecting at all. Apparently today was their major interview day. Felt a bit like a conveyor belt, which is completely at odds with the more friendly & personal approach that we've previously experienced there. And as you don't meet the interviewer, you leave with no idea about how things went. Left feeling a bit meh. Which I wasn't expecting, as every time we've been before I've loved it.

Oh well. That's us all done - now for the hardest part, the 3 week wait!

Good luck to all those with interviews coming up.