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.

Managed to get home, DS has got into all 3 schools whihc is amazing, music from W. Good luck everyone who is still waiting and thank you for all the hand holding x

We have an offer and bursary from T. Don't know the level of the bursary - info comes from the foundation directly and it didn't come today. And they were closed by the time we opened the letter. Argh! Good luck to all still waiting.

Congratulations jarofcalm was that for 11 plus? Did u do W too?

Just got home and it's a yes for W. Time to change my name!
Well done to all your DS, I've skim read today's posts and all I can see is good news

Thanks Supermummy. No it was for 10+ and we only did T.

I'm so glad the wait is finally over. We've got an academic scholarship from W and a full-fee offer from T. We are very, very happy, although I'm not sure it has fully sunk in with DS yet that he will be going to W in September.

Berora, happy to hear about your son! Congratulations!

Thank you, Muminfire. Congratulations to you, too, and enjoy your holiday - you can relax now!

Congrats to you, berora, and to everyone else with offers as well

Thank you, BoSelectaBigBiff! Have you decided which school you're going to choose?

Greetings, have been in the background for a while since forgetting original mumsnet details from the days when DC were babies...

Congratulations to all who have had offers.

It's been a very helpful thread for the journey so far - I have a couple of questions ahead of accept/decline time.
Does anyone know if W also operate a reserve bursary list? (seems to be only mentioned for T)
Ladymuck - are there really only 30 bursary places available at W for both 10+/11+ candidates?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Sara176 was your 10 or 11 plus?
Mine was 10 plus.

Hi berora, we are very undecided! Trinity has always been my favourite though, and I think DS1 would fit in much better there - but we are much closer to whitgift, and so my husband is a bit worried about the journey times to trinity. It should still only be 30mins max to trinity, though. DS1 is also undecided! Although he is more likely to be swayed by things like who had the nicer lunch on exam day...

Trinity does seem like a very nice school, BoSelectaBigBiff and I have always heard very good things about it, including excellent pastoral care, so I'm sure your DS would be very happy there. 30 mins to Trinity does not sound bad at all, in our case it would have been at least 45 if not longer in rush hour and a lot of boys commute up to an hour. There is still time to decide, so you could take DS to Trinity's open event and I'm sure Whitgift wouldn't mind giving you another tour if that's what you need to help you decide. One of the things that are different between W and T is duration of the lessons - 45mins in W and 30mins in T, I think (as a result W's timetable is 7 lessons a day and T have 8). Would your DS have a preference in this respect?

Supermummy1674, it's 10+ for us too.

Sara176 do u know what number u r on the reserve list?

Anyone heard from Alleyn's today? DS is on the reserve list. Really proud of him, and fairly relaxed, but no idea whether he realistically has a chance of an offer.

Anyone else in this boat?

Super mummy 1674, no I don't know do you think if I call T on Monday would they tell me.

30 mins journey to T is quite normal BoSelecta. We actually live quite nearby - in non-rush hour I can drive it in about 10 mins. However, Ds leaves the house at 7.40 to catch the train to E Croydon, and then the bus to get to school between 8.15-8.30 - journey times can vary. Many boys travel far longer than this - especially those coming from the south.
Both schools would be happy to show you round again to help you make the decision.
Any questions in the meantime - there are lots here who can help on the day-to-day life at either

Sara176 I think it's certainly worth a try I will do the same. Hopefully then we will have an idea if they may eventually get a place.

radiator - we're on Alleyns reserve list too. No idea! Thought the letter was quite abrupt? Have you emailed to say that you want to stay on the list - that seemed to be key? We weren't 100% about the school, so if they're also not 100% about ds then think we might not bother with the waiting list?

Hi Radiator, Fleurdelacourt - we are also on reserve list for Alleyns. Popular place to be! DS got Dulwich so not unduly bothered. Alleyns on paper is better - ie, plays football over rugby, and is mixed but we all preferred Dulwich - much friendlier, more down to earth, etc. Horses for courses...

Libbyit - we wre in exactly the same position then- and feel the same way.

Have just emailed Alleyns to withdraw from the waiting list

oh and yes - it is a popular place to be. Of the 3 other people I've spoken to so far who had kids entered for Alleyns - 2 of them are on the waiting list.... wonder just how big this list is?

Unfortunately, I don't think Alleyns went to the waiting list last year. It seems to be one of the most difficult to get into just because it has so few spaces for 11 plus incomers.