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.

T0nksTheCat, you should be able to do the same at W, but it can be a bit hectic, so just be there early for the best picks. Do ask the school about the next second hand uniform sale. I can't remember when it is, but there was something about it in a letter from school recently, so it may be coming fairly soon. Not sure whether there would be another one in June; if not, it would be October/November, which would be too late for you.

Cannons I do apologise, I didn't want to offend anyone and I realise it will be quite difficult to explain what I actually mean or wanted to say in the format of a forum. I may not understand this country too well despite living here for decades and having a British DS. I am just really sorry. I think it came out wrong. I asked for my post to be removed.

I remember back in the early 1980's Asians were the minority. The Asians had to accept that and try and get on with all. Now things have reversed. You have to try and get along with all walks of life as we r now a very diverse country this will happen in several different levels eg university and working life. Kids don't usually have issues with this any reservations usually r from parents. U should explain to the children abt diversity or they will have serious inclusion problems wherever they end up.

the colour of anyone's skin would never come into my thoughts when Choosing a school for my son as long as it was the right school for him and he would be happy, we are now in the 20th century and still things like the colour of pupils skin are major issues for some people it beggars belief 😥 My parents went through similar issues in the 60's I really don't know what to say this thread has taken on a different route and apologise however This is my last post. I do hope all boys find the perfect school for them and enjoy the next 5:6 years in secondary education

Any wisdom on the merits of Wilson's vs Whitgift?

Leaving aside financial considerations - which are considerable. Also Wilsons is less convenient for transport for us, but possible. But it's he other stuff I want to get a better flavour for than I do now.

We are debating this choice right now. We are waitlisted at Trinity - which - financial considerations aside - I would have favoured for its pastoral care, which I have heard good things about. (Unfortunately ds had a rather unfriendly interview there, which we think is probably why he didn't get an offer.)

Whitgift clearly has more 'trimmings'. But what we care about is the pastoral care, and the opportunity to develop academically and personally. We want ds to be happy and to learn. Ds is very sporty but as parents we are interested in that as a recreation not as an 'achievement'.

Any observations to make? We are particularly ignorant about Wilson's as we do not know any parents from there and were not able to take a school tour as we only decided to put him in for the exam a few weeks beforehand.

our decision is made. DC here we come!

Fabulous, fleurdelacourt, congratulations, enjoy the rest of year 6 and DC from September!

MuddyGardener - I have friend whose son started in year 7 last September 2015. She's really happy with Wilsons and says lots of opportunity to play sports at break time as well as after school they seem to have the balance just right for all types of boys eg very sporty or not so sporty. Wilsons is a very good option compared to independent schools and nothing to pay. The CCF cadets is also fantastic they start in year 9 my daughter goes there once a week as she's at wally girls. Definitely a fantastic option.

fleurdelacourt - congratulations!

suchastressfulyear I sent you a pm.

Stessful My Ds is in Y9 at T. It is a diverse community, but everyone seems to get on with each other.
I'm not sure I'd call it a pressured environment. Obviously all the boys are bright, which takes off some of the pressure you might find in other schools, but they are still expected to fulfil their potential. they are encouraged and supported, but I don't think unduly pushed. A lot comes from the boys themselves wanting to do their best. They do get a fair amount of homework - DS gets 3-4 subjects a night now and is expected to spend 40 - 60 mins on each. Not everything is for the next day, although this tended to be more normal in the early years.
I think the telling thing is when it comes to choosing options - Ds will be doing 10, possibly 11 GCSEs, which I think is less than many comps, but the school like to encourage in depth study of the topics to get really good grades.
Ds also came from a state primary which didn't do much of anything. HE ended up playing rugby for the school for a couple of years, despite describing himself as non-sporty. He has also been very active in the music department through singing. Again, not something he'd really done before. I love the inclusive ethos of the school.

congratulations everyone and to you fleurdelacourt - hopefully we will see you there in Sept. STILL haven't hear about the waiting list for DC yet. If any one happens to hear of people dropping off the list please let me know. But otherwise hope even happy with there choices and good luck if you are still hanging on like me.

"everyone is" and "their" - I should learn to proof read..

halogen - we're meeting Mr Tanner tomorrow - I'll ask how the waiting list is looking...

thanks fleurdelacourt that would be great. He will probably say "well now that you mention it we have this bat crazy woman ringing us every third day to ask"...

Hi Everyone, I have been on this thread, under various guises, since the beginning - and many others over the years. After a rollercoaster ride I am delighted that we are 99% of the way there to accepting a Trinity 11+ offer tomorrow. Only residual concern is travel from Whyteleafe/Caterham area (compared to local option). Could any seasoned Trinity parents reassure us that ds wont get run over by a tram in the first term?. How is the travel?

We just had a 'no bursary for the reserve list 10+' email from Mr Timms..
V kindly worded and inviting us to apply again next year.

Hi, T0nksTheCat. The same for us .

Hey I'm in the club too

T0nksTheCat & Sara176
What's your next plan of action?
R your kids in state or prep schools?

boo team would-be Trinity... after all that hopefull waiting. Commiserations all round.

DS in state school (in Special Measures but lovely friends) so we'll see out his last year and prep bloody hard for next year Grammar and T entrances. Will also work at the singing and try for Music scholarship next time around. Heigh ho time to dust off those Bond books.

How about you Supermumy?

We at a Catholic private school just started their last Easter after bullying at state.
Will b trying for grammar and the indie's too! Let's hope we get trough first time!

One of the previous mumsection mentioned she tried at 10 plus too but also got full fee offer and tried again at 11 plus and got a nice scholarship. Hopefully that will b the case for us too. Good luck!

Previous mumsnet*

Oh my god I need to do a spelling test lol
One of the mum on mumsnet