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.

Oh, and some T 10+ stats: 169 sat; 90 called for interview; 40 places (although presumably a few more offers than that).

That's kind of how I felt today at Trinity Boselectabigbiff. I haven't had previous experience with Trinity or Whitgift but I can now say the interview experience were totally different for both - Whitgift we felt very informed etc and came away positive. Trinity however, we felt a bit confused! No academic questions whatsoever, no feed back on performance, so in short- feel like we are in the dark! Well what's done is done so to wait patiently I suppose!

Very confused. Applying for sports scholarship at Whitgift at 10 plus and was told at interview that only 11 plus (due to the number involved) kids would be called back. Just received a letter this morning asking us to attend a call back on Tuesday for rugby. Does this mean he will be playing with the 11 plus boys? Does anyone have any experience of call backs?

Thought I would share as my son had 11+ interview for Alleyns today, and I know some have next week. All very friendly etc. Approx 30 mins with a teacher. Lots of general chat... with a couple of questions requiring slightly more thoughtful questions, but still pretty run of the mill stuff. I was surprised when I went to the loo, to walk past all these classrooms where the kids were being interviewed individually - all with their door open. I would stress to your child to concentrate on the teacher, and ignore any noise of people walking past. Having said that, by chance, my son was not on that floor, and was interviewed with the door closed.

Anyone know how many they interview for how many places at Alleyns?

Sorry womblemum5 - my son has sport callbacks but it is for 11+. He had a friend last year who was 10+ and he got a cricket call back last year so I would think maybe they do invite some 10+ kids back. Either way, my experience of the sports dept is that they are very qualified and experienced, and will know what they are doing. I very much doubt he will be up against the 11+ kids. Good luck to him though, my theory is getting a callback is hopefully another step closer?!

Interesting Libbykit. No idea re numbers...

Womblemum5, I would ring the school on Monday to clarify the situation. It will put your mind at rest and you will be able to tell your DS what to expect come Tuesday. I'm sure he will be fine and I think kidstaxidriver has a very good theory about a callback getting you closer to what you're hoping for. Good luck to both your and kidstaxidriver's sons. :)

There's about 90 places at 11+, split pretty equally between boys and girls (all the junior school choice go up automatically). There were about 700 children taking the exam and from memory 2 years ago they interviewed about 250. Obviously they make more than 90 offers but they don't always go to the waiting list

Doh .. That's for Alleyn's

Thanks guys, very happy he's been called back as the letter was very complimentary. Just couldn't understand why Mr B said only 11plus guys would be called back.

Maybe the outcome of the first round of sports assessments was a bit different from what they would typically expect and they adjusted what they do about callbacks

My H said tat he was told cricket at 10+ would definitely be called back and possibly some other of the team sports as well

I am still hugely stressing about what to wear on Weds. Such a silly thing to be worrying about

Provencal - Don't stress! I just wore a pair of black trousers and a jumper (normally live in jeans so that's my 'smart'). DS got offered a place. I honestly don't think they base their offers on the dress sense of a parent

Provencalroseparadox - I'm with Seeline on this. Just make sure your DS wears his school uniform. All boys do, so he could feel awkward if he didn't. Best of luck for Wednesday!

I would seriously not want my DS to go to a school that judged what I wore :0 . Clean & presentable yes - nice to show respect. But beyond that, they surely are only interested in your DS.

I know it's ridiculous. Have bought myself a pair of trousers just in case!

Not a great interview at W today basically asked us if we can afford W if we didn't get a scholarship, which we can't but didn't feel I could say that! I know it sounds really stupid now but was really shocked by the question so didn't know how to answer it. Also didn't gain any brownie points that my DS didn't actually have a tour of the school he has been called back for 10+ rugby tomorrow but think the damage has been done

Oh no! Sorry to hear! Who interviewed you? I am sure it wasn t that bad!

Sorry to hear that NNS03. I focus on the things I didn't answer well too! He's got a call back so that's great. Fingers crossed it wasn't as bad as you think

Think it was Mrs Carter not sure if she was head or deputy head of juniors. We didn't have a tour as we missed the open day but DS has attended many summer camps there and liked the exam day and loves sport but as she didn't asked us that we couldn't explain it's done now just needed to vent frustration and disappointment.
Good luck to everyone else that still need to interview

Fingers crossed it won't be as bad you've thought NNS03 - that's a very tricky question, not sure we would have been prepared for that if asked. Hopefully your DS will have a blinder at rugby tomorrow!!

It was a common question last year at Whitgift. In fairness they want the information to get their offer ratio right. It doesn't mean that they won't offer. But they do need around 50% of the intake to pay full fees.

So if they don't ask you if you can afford it does that mean you are being earmarked for a full fees offer? (drat)

T asked us whether another school wouldn't be easier for us to get to! For the same reason of working out their offers levels I guess (hope - and not - well go to that school then)

foragogo, when did they asked you that? I thought T only interviewed boys and not parents.