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ALL NEW; WHITGIFT/TRINITY/DULWICH/ALLEYNS 10+/11+ 2016

967 replies

MrsPatmore · 06/10/2015 10:35

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.

OP posts:
T0nksTheCat · 02/03/2016 20:40

Yep it's been good practice for the boys at least and though theirs is a high birth year we can only ask them to do their best. Hope you end up with an option next year that you're happy with for your DS.

sara176 · 02/03/2016 20:52

Supermummy1674, my Ds is in a state school . Plan B is more prep for my Ds and more stress for me and if I am still alive we will try again for 11+. Chocolate

Supermummy1674 · 02/03/2016 21:36

Sara176 I know how u feel! Let's b there for one another. Good luck

Berora · 02/03/2016 22:19

If someone is interested in second hand uniform sale at W - there is one this coming Saturday. I can't remember whether there is usually another one in June. I've dug up the info below from my mailbox:

"There is a Second Hand Uniform Sale on Saturday 5th March from 10.30am – 12.00noon in the Concert Hall. Please do come along if you would like to purchase any items of uniform. All proceeds from the sale go to the School. Please note that cash and cheques ONLY can be accepted as payment as there is no facility to process card payments.

Berora · 02/03/2016 22:26

Just found another piece of info re. second hand uniform sale at W - last year there was one on the first Saturday in June, so I imagine the same will happen this year.

sara176 · 02/03/2016 22:55

Thank you! supermummy1674, I am here for you all if I can be any help or support more than happy to offer .

aerobicmum · 02/03/2016 23:35

quangotango

My sons travels to Trinity from Whyteleafe.....there are quite a few boys from Caterham or Kenley. They run private school buses too....but they do cost and you have to commit.
The train to East Croydon and then lots of bus choices is fine.
I am sure your son will love it there!!

SelfRaisingFlour · 03/03/2016 07:19

MuddyGardener - Re Wilson's

DS1 is in year 8 at Wilson's and DS2 just got a place there too. Wilson's seems to have a reputation as an exam driven boot camp, but it's a really lovely school. The Heads of Year in Years 7 & 8 are both really nice and approachable. Communication with parents is excellent. The expectations are high, but I don't think there is an obsession with exam results.

My friend had this decision last year and chose Wilson's, which her son preferred. She hasn't regretted it.

Supermummy1674 · 03/03/2016 07:58

Sara176
Thank you! Same to u too if u need any help or support.

quangotango · 03/03/2016 09:03

Hi aerobicmum thankyou for the local travel info which is great to know. When did your sons start doing the train/bus alone? Did they do it from Y1? My ds is quite independent and confident and would be fine doing it now I think, and i can accompany him to East Croydon on the train, but his father is very worried about the trams for some reason.

Seeline · 03/03/2016 09:11

quango My Ds goes to E Croydon and then bus. He started doing it towards the end of JBug year (Y6). He goes on the same train as DH (although now in Y9, I think in a different carriage!!). He is as dopey as they come, and manages to get out of the station and onto the right bus without incident. I think there are a huge number of T boys he can follow - trams don't seem to be an issue. and are useful on bus strike days as they keep running and at least get the boys as far as Sandilands.

quangotango · 03/03/2016 09:24

Thanks Seeline that is really reassuring as well. DH seems to think we will need to drive him there for the first term, if not year, which seems a bit OTT to me. I think we will do a few trial runs in the summer and then I think he will be fine. I can probably get off the train and see him onto a bus and then get back on again if necessary as well. I am sure he'd love that haha! I'd have to be incognito in sunglasses and a hat! Your post about different carriages really made me laugh. I often see boys getting on with their parents at the same station as me, but by the time they get to S and E Croydon they seem to have managed to lose them and it's a complete blank as they get off the train!

What time is peak time for arriving at E Croydon to follow boys onto the bus?

Seeline · 03/03/2016 09:35

I am sure your DS will be fine with the practicalities of travel, but don't underestimate the physical side of it. They get very tired at first, so some lifts to/from school would probably be useful. Even now, if Ds has an activity after school, I try and pick him up, although that is partly to save time. I can drive it in 10-15mins in the evening, whereas it would probably take him 45 door to door, meaning late meals and late starts on homework.
I don't know about 'peak time' - I think Ds usually gets into E Croydon at about 8, but obviously times vary. If he has something before school (he often has a singing rehearsal at 8.10), I tend to take him in, as he can't rely on the train getting there on time. I can't face having to get him out of the house 1/2hr earlier to get the train before Grin

Homegirl1 · 03/03/2016 14:36

Has anyone been contacted by T regarding waiting list places? Not bursary, just waiting list?

SJ69 · 03/03/2016 20:40

For people who are interested in 2nd uniform at W, there is a Second Hand Uniform Sale THIS SATURDAY (5th March) from 10.30am – 12.00noon in the Concert Hall.

Berora · 04/03/2016 13:01

For all those still expecting news about waiting lists - the deadline for accepting is 7 March and for state schools it's 15 March, so there are probably still a lot of people who haven't yet decided. Hopefully, things will start moving next week, so hang on in there and fingers crossed. Smile

foragogo · 04/03/2016 13:30

we turned down a Whitgift 11+ place for Trinity today if that give anyone any hope.

Homegirl1 · 04/03/2016 15:09

Our deadline to let W know is 7th, have been told by T today no places will be offered for waiting list with 7th deadline. So, if some people decline offers next week what do I do with W offer? I can't keep them waiting can I?

AveEldon · 04/03/2016 15:17

Do you have a state school back up?
You can ask W for more time but they may say no
Trouble is if you accept W and don't take up the place it's £800 plus the first terms fees

kidstaxidriver · 04/03/2016 15:20

I know of someone given an extension on the 7th March deadline for W.....

Berora · 04/03/2016 16:21

Homegirl1, what do you mean by saying no places will be offered for waiting list with 7th deadline? Is it that if you have a deadline on the 7th for W offer, Trinity would not consider you off their waiting list at all, or is it that T are not able to tell you before the 7th whether they could give you a place?

If it's the latter and W are not willing to give you an extension, if only by one day, would Trinity agree to let you know at the end of their working day on Monday where you stand with this?

If T agree to let you know on Monday 'end of play' and it turns out there is no chance for a place at T, you still have, say, half an hour to an hour to email a scanned copy of your acceptance form and a proof of deposit payment to W and you can then drive up to the school and deliver the form by hand at the reception. Even if you were to do it at 6pm, it still would have been delivered on the 7th... From what I recall, W did not specify a particular time on the 7th as a deadline, or did they?

One thing to bear in mind is that in the past there was a following statement in W's offer letter: "Whitgift is one of the group of 10 schools which have agreed not to consider boys for admission after their parents have firmly accepted a place at one of those schools." That group included T, DC and A among others. The rules may have changed, but if they haven't, it would mean that if you accepted W and then tried to take up a place from a waiting list at T, T would not have you anyway plus you would have lost your deposit and one term's fees if you withdrew from W, as pointed out above.

Homegirl1 · 04/03/2016 17:23

"Whitgift is one of the group of 10 schools which have agreed not to consider boys for admission after their parents have firmly accepted a place at one of those schools."

This is not in our offer letter, thankfully! We will hold out till late Monday to see I there is a slim chance of a place. My hubby can go to W with letter and cheque if no good news. My goodness I'm going to have a nervous breakdown with all this!! The email sent today says T have had a exceptional acceptance rate this year, which is why waiting list places are are very slim, if not non existent. Most people have accepted, those that haven't have verbally accepted and may change there minds over the weekend...

jgjgjgjgjg · 04/03/2016 17:37

Homegirl are you 10+ or 11+?

jgjgjgjgjg · 04/03/2016 17:37

Homegirl are you 10+ or 11+?

Homegirl1 · 04/03/2016 17:45

11+

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