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Original poster

ALL NEW; WHITGIFT/TRINITY/DULWICH/CATERHAM 10+/11+ 2017

748 replies

123littlepigs · 24/12/2016 01:53

Every year I have watched with interest and excitement as all of these types of threads have progressed to offers.

Finally in the same boat. The Christmas prep is wearing...And couldn't find anyone to share the experience with.... hence this attempt to start one....

Anyone else want to join? If I have missed a school... please feel free to still join in and add your school of interest.

Currently burning the night oil trying to find more comprehension material... anyone have any online suggestions?

OP posts:
Anglolux · 15/01/2017 15:06

Very relieved Pingput29. Hang in there, I'm sure you'll hear very soon.

SoupDragon · 15/01/2017 15:19

How can you tell who it's with?

When DSs did it, you found out when you went in :)

DS1 had a HM interview at W but did not get a scholarship (got a T one)
DS2 did not have a HM interview at W and got a scholarship (did not get a T one until I phoned and negotiated one for him Blush)

Anglolux · 15/01/2017 15:36

Thanks SoupDragon!

Berora · 15/01/2017 17:07

sbmum2017, I agree with SoupDragon that absolute percentages are not the most relevant thing. E.g. if a significant majority scores at 85% plus on average, then an otherwise a very respectable score of 80% may not be enough. If, however, the prevailing average score is 80%, then everything above that puts you ahead of the rest of the cohort. These percentages are just completely randomly picked examples to illustrate the point, so please don't read anything into them!

We were not told our DS's percentage scores; when we asked how he did, the answer was 'he did well' but no reference was made to his score vs. the rest of the group. I wasn't sure about DS's maths because he said he had finished it well ahead of time, so I was worried about silly mistakes he probably made. I told our interviewer exactly that and he confirmed that yes, there were some silly errors in the maths paper but the hard questions at the end were answered correctly. So all I know for certain is that DS's maths paper was far from perfect.

Assuming a reasonable exam score, the school takes into account that some children find it hard to perform to their full potential under pressure and one of the purposes of an interview is to establish whether that may have been the case.

If I may suggest anything, I think it helps if boys try to have a conversation with their interviewer rather than simply answer questions. Encourage them to give extended answers and not just a single sentence. Tell them they don't need to worry if they don't know an answer to a question, they can always turn it round by explaining it's not something they are most interested in, so they haven't thought about it. It's ok for them to think out loud, too, and ask if the interviewer agrees with their thinking. All they need to do for an interview is to relax, let their personalities shine through and they will be fine.

Jige - fingers crossed and good luck to your DS! Smile

SoupDragon · 15/01/2017 17:35

I did find out the percentages DS2 scored at T when I was discussing a scholarship after the offers day. Based on my experience in this one case, it would appear that they have to have performed well in both English and Maths and interviewed well. I know DS did one of these things, probably did well in another and was crap in English! He was not offered a scholarship.

Basically, they know what they are looking for and which boys they want to entice to their school with a scholarship. It's not really possible to second guess exactly what those things are.

Wimbles101 · 15/01/2017 18:07

Berora that's really useful advice about the interview .

sbmum2017 · 15/01/2017 19:30

Thanks Berora and Soupdragon ,
For your guidance ! That's really helpful !

Berora · 15/01/2017 19:45

Wimbles101 and sbmum2017 - you are very welcome and best of luck to your boys. Smile

Positivelyinclined2017 · 15/01/2017 20:01

We have an interview next week as well👍 Not sure what to answer to the age old question of why do you want to come to this school? Any one having been asked this and answers appreciated👍👍👍👍

Wimbles101 · 15/01/2017 20:19

Has your DS been to an open day? I've really only applied to schools where we had good reason to apply. My DS is very musical and really liked the look of some of the other clubs so he's mentioning that.
You need to have really good reasons Inthink.

Positivelyinclined2017 · 15/01/2017 20:30

I know that's why I'm freaking out!!! My ds says he doesn't know why😱😱😱😱 anything I say to him will sound played out and rehearsed 😱

Wimbles101 · 15/01/2017 20:45

So maybe just think of his interests and how those tie into what the school offers. W and T have great facilities - if you can remember specific stuff there may be some info on the websites.

Positivelyinclined2017 · 15/01/2017 20:46

Cheers Wimbledon 101 - 👍

Missmillsie · 15/01/2017 20:47

I wouldn't worry positivelyinclined, we didn't even go to see the school on the Open day! That's terrible and frankly abit embarrassing! I'm just gonna go with the flow tbh. What can I say! Xx

Positivelyinclined2017 · 15/01/2017 20:47

Wimbles 😖 Guess the text taking over 😫

Positivelyinclined2017 · 15/01/2017 20:57

Thanks missmillsie - maybe that's best. Ds has to be himself - the rest is in the hands of the gods 😇 Good luck everyone 😀

fabfortysomething · 16/01/2017 05:44

11Eleven - DS sat Caterham too. He couldn't finish the last two questions of nvr and said maths was "ok" (his standard answer for all his papers, so I read nothing into it). It was the last of his exams and he was a bit flat. Afterwards he had a small, ceremonial trashing of the few remaining Bond books. Now for the long wait till 9/10 Feb.

MrsPatmore · 16/01/2017 09:51

Lol Fabforty! We are also planning a ceremonial trashing of 11+ books! It will be very cathartic as the whole thing for us has dragged on for over a year now.

SoupDragon · 16/01/2017 11:44

I joyfully dumped the Bond books in the recycling. DD is my last and
I NEVER have to do this again!!

I don't care how she feels about it! :o

fabfortysomething · 16/01/2017 12:23

There will be a big ceremonial dumping of wine down my throat come offers day, whatever the outcome. I agree Soup - I never have to or want to see a Bond book in my life again. This was even worse the second time!

SoupDragon · 16/01/2017 12:38

Yes, my second time was truly awful. Mostly due to DS2's character!

This was my third and nowhere nearly as bad at that experience!

Missmillsie · 16/01/2017 12:57

Haha yeah are planning a big bonfire to burn those damn books cluttering up ds's desk! Xx

Missmillsie · 16/01/2017 20:18

Pingput... must be sooo hard waiting for a response especially since most of us on here has heard now either way. But I reckon no news is good news! Letters of no luck with exam were posted last Thursday so you would def have heard by now if it was a no? Fingers and toes crossed for you!

Trinity rang me today at 3.25pm lol DS has interview next Tuesday with admissions team. She said expect to be there for about 30 mins all in but DS will be in on his own for about 15 mins. Won't be meeting HT as they feel any general questions would of been answered by now but if I have any specific questions then to email in (I think!)

Xx

Missmillsie · 16/01/2017 20:25

Sorry pingput I'm got confused. You are still waiting for W aren't you. No idea what their protocol is but I truly hope you get that fab news tomorrow xx

Anglolux · 17/01/2017 13:52

How did the sport scholarship assessment day at W go for those 10+ DSs yesterday? Hope everyone performed to the best of their ability.