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.

Did any of your dc sit the trinity exam today... Son thought English and maths were ok but VR difficult ... Anyone else's dc thought the same?.

There's definitely no need to think the worst if you haven't had a call from W today. Interview letters were still being sent out more than a week after ds sat; there's no apparent rhyme or reason to when they get in touch.

It's a little frustrating but don't despair if you've not heard yet - in fact I wouldn't worry about it at all until the end of the week easy for me to say !

I feel for all of you waiting... This was me last year! I cannot stress enough that there is NOTHING to be read into when people are called for interview. Last year we received the invitation for interview at W just over a week after the exam and didn't get a call from T until TWO WEEKS after the exam. DS was offered scholarships to both (we chose W in the end). Hope that helps put some minds at rest at a time which I know from personal experience can be very stressful!! Good luck to all of you still waiting!!

Thanks - the last 2 posts are really helpful!!
It's certainly not going to be a 'dry' January at this rate!!

Thanks for that! My FB feed today has news of other kids' interview successes.... and we... have no news. So feeling a jolt of unease & suspense.

Does anyone know how many are interviewed vs places offered? (at any of the schools)

DS say DC's supplementary 11+ exam day on Friday as the main day clashed with Royal Russell. We were told they had already started informing interviewees and that our group would hear by Wednesday 13th.

We were also told just under 500 say the exam circa 150 will be interviewed for circa 75 places. Also that they offer to more than 75 because some my not accept.

I'm still waiting to hear from both W and DC. Trying to stay calm and keep the DS calm.

Good luck all

Meant to say DS sat DC's.......

A good rule of thimb is that the schools will interview about 70% of those who took the exam and that 75-80% of that group will be offered.

It will of course vary by school and by year but that's a reasonable guide ime

Is that how W and T (and RR) do it?

I've posted above about Dulwich, and Alleyns are different - they take the top 200 in the exams, tell the interviewing teachers that all these are good enough academically and to choose which ones they would like in their classrooms. That's one of the reasons why it can be a bit of a toss-up whether you get offered a place.

Or have those two schools changed their practice this year? (genuine question, BTW, as I wouldn't want to post in future that Dulwich only interview those it intends to make offers to if that is no longer true).

Another Newt... I guess should have been a little clearer. The schools will interview those children who show academic potential in the exams. My experience has been that this is around 70% of those who take it. I certainly haven't heard that DC and Alleyns simply take the top 200 and then work from there. Is that new? When I spoke to Dr Spence last year he spoke about how they didn't simply list in order of exam success but looked at the exam results in concert with the school reference.

Of course it may have changed this year though.

Our head said DC were concerned about the exam mark first and foremost

I think all of the schools focus on academic potential shown in the exams, so in that respect exam mark is their primary concern. However, I was previously told by Dr Spence that they don't simply take the top x from a list, so maybe they have changed it for this year.

No call from W, so stressed r said the trinity test was a lot harder than Whitgift!! Fingers crossed!! Worried! Fingers crossed for all waiting!!

DC said until very recently that the boys they interview are those they intend to make an offer or waitlist offer to (as I said in my first post about this).

I don't think what I described is incompatible with what JS said to you, that it is both exam and reference that get them to that point.

The 'which of these 200 do you want in your classroom' (my second post about this) was about Alleyn's different approach. Or at least it was. That is why I was asking if you knew it had changed (in the last 4 years or so).

DC 11+ info sheet said that they only invite those for interview they think they can offer a place to - and that the interview is only to support strong exam performance.

But the invitation we got to interview then stated that the interview process itself (together with exam and school report) is an important part of the selection process.

So am confused!

Could I ask for some advice about the Whitgift interview please?

How important is it for both parents to be there? My DH is going to find it hard to get to the interview slot we have been given and wonders if just I can go. I don't want to jeopardise his chances though by not showing a full family commitment, which we do have.

Do they need to take anything with them eg certificates etc to talk about their activities. If they have some would it look too much?

Hello all

Does any one have stats. on number sat, number interviewed and number places offered for T & W by chance.

Doing this crazy thing next year and wanted to know what to expect.

Foragogo, not a problem if dh can't make it. Lots do, but it is probably 50:50.

Davira, the difficulty with looking at the stats is that there are essentially different types of entry, full-fees and bursary, and the degree of competition is different for each at each age point. Also most boys will be sitting for both of these schools, and often at least one other too. It is usually easier to get a place at 10+ than 11+ as there is less competition at this point. Proportionally more full-fees candidates will get interviews than bursary candidates, reflecting the fact that they have more places available.

foragogo - I would ring W admissions office, ask to speak to one of the admissions contacts listed on the school website and explain your situation to them. I think it would become clear from the conversation how important it is to both you and your husband to be there.

Cross-posted with Ladymuck - you have your answer now, foragogo

On the phone W said they like to see both parents but understand that work/other commitments may prevent it

Only one of us is going

foragogo - apologies for a clumsy wording in my first message. I meant to say 'how important it is that both you and your husband are there'. I know it is important to both of you!

knew what you meant, thank you :)

So will I/we be interviewed while DS is in with his interviewer? Wht can we expect?

Just wanted to say btw, Ladymuck and Firefox, you are legends in out house - thanks so much fo rall the useful advice over the years (yes we have now been at this years!!)

We did this a few years ago with older DS and from memory, it was him on his own first, he left the room and then we went in. I don't remember much about the questions, though, I was far too nervous, but that's just me...