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.

Hi Olguis. The bus is 7.45 from Harold Rd so he's up about 6.30/6.45. We pick him up in the pm as he sometimes goes to clubs or the library but not every day. I think the bus back leaves around 5.30

Supermummy, they will hopefully decide before the deadline, but even if they wait till the very last minute, the school will be getting in touch with waiting lists parents early next week, I would imagine. No harm in ringing them tomorrow or day after, though.

Berora thanks

Do most parents accept their grammar school places rather than taking independent schools?

Hi supermummy, I don't know, I'm afraid. Well, I know at least 2 boys won't have got bursary offers, but I don't know about the rest.

I think at 11+ a lot of people do accept grammar school places rather than the independents - I know last year quite a few parents at our school did, anyway.

Thanks

Supermummy1674, it varies. Ds sat (and passed) the grammars partly as a mock, but also as evidence of ability in the event that he didn't get into our preferred independent school. In the same year we know a number who declined grammars in favour of independents. But at this stage of waiting, then people are waiting for grammar or other state schools results.

Okay so it's a mixture. Hope all those waiting for results today will make prompt decisions on their preferences.

Just to let everyone know that school allocations results have gone live - don't wait for the email, log in to your eAdmission accounts to see which school your DCs were given. Best of luck to everybody.

Having hid for the best part of the process, I now have to ask for your opinions and knowledge. I appreciate that I am in a very very very lucky situation and I didn't expect to be in it at all!

DS has been offered a generous bursary to go to Trinity. I just found out that he also got into Sutton Grammar.

Even with the bursary, we will still have to contribute the best part of our income for 7 years ahead, and if it ever is to increase, the increase will go towards school fees. I also read a couple of threads about yearly re-assessment being a very painful process. Does anyone know anything about it?

I love Trinity. DS comes from state primary, has not done much sport and I love their ethos of inclusion. I am not sure it would happen if at all at Sutton. I don't know if languages are comparable. And, above all, I am not sure whether Sutton is very pressured. DS doesn't strive under pressure.
Being a top grammar and having to answer to the whims of the current government, Sutton might be not nurturing enough...

The stupid thing is that I haven't even seen the school! Missed their only available open day last summer!

I know this has been discussed at length and I know we're very lucky, but please let me know your thoughts.

Call Sutton and ask to see it

We got 3rd choice state
Currently weighing up choices

Can anyone tell me how much I'm looking at in terms of extra costs at Whitgift? Trips are extra I assume? How much for uniform?

The bursary process is onerous, I'm afraid suchastressfulyear. What you've already done as part of the application process, you have to do once a year, every year. So you need all your tax info (if self-employed) and all bank statements, etc.

However, I do think Trinity is quite pressured, as in, they are encouraged and pushed to do well (academically). There is a lot of homework, for example. Having said that, I believe it is also a very nurturing school and any problems will be addressed.

DS got into one of the Sutton grammars and we chose Trinity over it. Do you know anyone at SGS who can help you with more info about it?

AveEldon, yes, trips are extra at W, but those that are compulsory are not that expensive (£20-£30 to go up to London, for example, if I remember correctly). The optional trips are expensive, but they would be equally expensive in a state school. too. Uniform will cost you a few hundred pounds, depending on whether you want just a couple of shirts and one pair of trousers or some spares. Blazers and sports kit are expensive. School bags quite pricey, but they are v. good quality and they do last. DS still hasn't managed to destroy his and he is in Y10. If you go on the school website, on the menu under the 'Facilities' tab, click on the School Shop, scroll down and you will see a PDF file with all uniform items and prices. I would post a link but not sure it's allowed to do that on the forum. Bear in mind fees will likely go up a few hundred pounds every year (last few years it has been, on average, 4%-5% increase each year). Apart from trips, the only extra cost are school lunches in year 6 and 7 and exam fees when it comes to official exams; also music lessons if your DS takes instrumental lessons at school.

Suchastressfulyear, I have no first-hand experience of Sutton Grammar, but I know a few boys who go there and they are all very happy. It is an excellent school and yes, boys do get pushed, but at the same time the school has an opinion of providing very good pastoral care. There is some information about it on their website, may well be worth reading. I've never heard a bad word about SGS in terms of them not being caring or supportive. I don't know anyone in Trinity, but I think they are an equally excellent school and also with very good reputation for pastoral care.

InASchoolsDilemma thanks for your answer! Don't know anyone at SGS - neither at Wallington or Wilson's! DS is the only boy from his school to apply to Sutton grammars, so not much help there either.

I will try to call Sutton; but when I tried calling their admissions in autumn after the exams, I couldn't get through at all. In all honesty I doubt they'll arrange a tour for me.

What swayed your decision? Feel free to pm me if you know anything - even just friends' kids experiences or hearsay, or what you really appreciate about Trinity and would not have got elsewhere.

As I am not local, I know literally nothing about SGS. In contrast, I have visited Trinity maybe 4 times in total!

I have always heard from previous years that SGS has very good pastoral care compared to the other 2 grammar schools WCGS and Wilsons.

suchastressfulyear - good luck!

AveEldon presumably there are second hand uniform sales for W (and T?)

Your DS may want a new blazer but used PE kit is usually fine.

Another one on the T Reserve bursary list here. Admissions lady (not as forthcoming as the man on the phone) said we should hear this week.

I think you will also find quite alot of them at trinity too! As they are also looking for good schools for their sons.

Re: second hand uniform sales: yes, W does have them and there should be one coming up quite soon, so best to ring the school and ask about the date. Bear in mind sports kit changed recently (last year, I think), so availability of used current kit may be limited.

If anyone is interested in the second hand uniform sale at W, people usually start queuing at the door good half an hour earlier, then it's the case of everyone rushing in and the best quality items are gone very quickly. Definitely worth going to, though.

Eek thanks for the heads up Berora.
Kitted out DD head to toe in Second Hand Uniform for Old Palace and saved a fortune. Was banking on being able to do the same..

I've never heard anything bad about SGS and I think it would be crazy to struggle so much financially if you have the option of SGS.

I don't know about SGS, but my friend and her son were shown around Wilson's last year when they were choosing between Wilson's and a private school. They were with a group also looking for the same reason. My friend chose Wilson's. SGS may do something similar.

Thanks for the uniform pointers

Suchastressfulyear imo not going to a school because 80% are of Indian or Pakistan origin is probably racist whether you are or not foreign yourself I'm of Indian origin and I have really found that comment offensive. Maybe if your son did go to sgs it might make him work harder if you don't won't that why did you apply btw my son is at Trinity so bear that in mind 😡😡😡