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

[123littlepigs]

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?

New to mumsnet but finding these chats very useful.

DS has 10+ offers at Emanuel and Whitgift. Does W ever offer academic scholarships at a later date? If someone turns down a scholarship do they then offer it to someone else?? Would make a big difference to our choice.

Thanks all

Hello all, I'm new to this thread, though like others have watched with interest. Our DS received three 11+ offers yesterday which we are all thrilled and relieved about. After all that we now have choice and don't really know what to do. One has been ruled out by him as it's too small, but Emanuel and Whitgift are the others. We live much closer to Emanuel and miles away from Whitgift.
Whitgift seems a lovely school but he'd have one heck of a commute, too far from the school bus and I think it'll be too tiring, but it's marginally his favourite.
Before the interviews he wasn't fussed but Whitgift did a good sell to him and my DH.
Before that I felt Emanuel was local, seems less pushy than other v selective schools.
Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

Very similar to our geographical situation, whizzymummy.
We have two older siblings( now 22 and 19) who went through E and we were very unimpressed by the quality of the teaching. Hopefully it may have improved?
Headteacher is about to leave so who knows. Not sure why it has suddenly become so popular.
Any clues anyone?

There should be opportunities to revisit on a working day before decision is due.

My experience is all the independent schools seem so popular now, and the uncertainty breeds a slight craze in over applying.
We intend to visit on their open day again on March 1st.
I can't shake the feeling Whitgift is the perfect school but in totally the wrong place. However on all our visits to Emanuel it has seemed lovely and surely local friends and activities count for a lot.

Congrats to all who have got offers. We have Trinity too and are pleased although without any scholarships - I have a similar question to another poster - what happens when a candidate with an academic scholarship turns it down? Does that part of the school's funds not get used?

I have never heard of anyone being offered a scholarship at a later date.
I assume that they slightly over-offer on scholarships too, on the basis that if someone is a really strong candidate and has applied to other schools, they are likely to get scholarship offers there too, so some will be turned down.
Certainly at T the only other chance of a scholarship is on entering the 6th Form.

Congratulations to all with offers! although it seems there is still a lot of thinking and futher agony for many before the final decision. Wimbles101 - I doubt that a turned down scholarship discount gets passed down the line. if the place gets turned down, it just goes to a full fee place on the waiting list, I guess. But, I don't know for sure - if there are any negotiations, they must be very private, surely. The best thing to do, I think, is to ring the school and ask about each individual case; surely they will be willing to help parents to make a decision quicker so they can finalise numbers of accepted offers. Also, for those still deciding, I would recommend to do another tour around the school (arranged by the school). We did it with our DS1. When we went a few years ago to the tour at T., it was done in small groups led by senior member of staff on a school day when pupils are at lessons so it gives a different insight on the school life - a bit different from the open day.

I think negotiations usually take place if there are offers from more than one school. eg we got 10% from X can you match it?

Absolutely, Seeline, you can only negotiate really if you have a better offer elsewhere, otherwise it would be just begging!

Thanks that's helpful / we do have a better offer from elsewhere also waiting on Local Authority results.

Hi Jige. Our DS is in the same position as you with full fee 10+ offers from Whitgift and Trinity. We are going to spend half term trying to decide which is best to accept. Which way are you leaning at the moment?

I think negotiations usually take place if there are offers from more than one school. eg we got 10% from X can you match it?

That is exactly how it worked for us.

Congrats again, everyone! We thought it would be an easy decision, but DS has academic offers from T and Caterham (the same percentage) - and suddenly it's not that clearcut. I think both are superb schools and we would be very happy with either. C is obviously co-ed, but we don't mind either way. We found T more welcoming and really like the new head, but C is more convenient (although not so sure about the head..) Does anyone have any thoughts/advice?

fabforty congratulations!

Obvious but does the percentage make a great difference between the two in terms of actual fees?

We are in our 5th year at T and are very happy with everything. DS has had a fantastic time there, and enjoys school. waiting to see what impact the new head will have, but certainly seems very pleasant, keen that the ethos of the school continues, and that the school continues to improve in all areas.

Are there any areas which your DS is particularly interested in, hobbies, extra curricular etc, which one school would offer greater opportunity for?

T run a school bus from the Caterham area, if that is where you are based. Lots of the boys use East Croydon station and get to school from there.

Any specific questions, I would be pleased to try and answer. Lots of other T mums on here if I can't!!

Hello everyone and congrats again to you all. We have just accepted our T 10+ offer for our DS. We only applied to the one school because this was our favourite, found the head and other staff very welcoming and love the school. DS is really excited. Good luck with your decisions people.

Well done, Anxiously!

Many thanks Seeline, that is very kind. With percentages taken into account, T is still rather more affordable - but presumably that will be negated by travel.

Both schools offer everything we want in terms of sport, clubs, drama etc.

The difference is more in the "feel". DS is shy and, although relatively sporty, not at all pushy or "alpha male". He takes a while to make friends as he is quiet.

We are marginally inclined tipped in T's favour, but am slightly worried that he might feel slightly excluded by all the musical boys (DS plays an instrument, but can't hold a note and is not likely to progress beyond grade 2!).

For my side - I would like to be involved in the school as a parent, although work does limit too much of a commitment.

Hey fabforty... our DS plays an instrument but he's pretty average. I think the school will really suit him regardless. Your DS sounds a bit like ours in terms of his personality. I don't know anything about caterham so unfortunately can't comment about that. Good luck with your decision x

The music side at T is very inclusive. Great if you're brilliant, but just as good if you 'just' enjoy what ever it is you do. the best thing is that the boys don't feel silly for having a go.
That applies to sport too - plenty of opportunities whatever your ability.
I think the quieter, less pushy boys are equally accepted at T, and plenty is done to help them all settle.
I think what I like about T is they know boys - all sorts, types, and individuals.
The TPA is always looking for volunteers fab

Thanks anxiously!

Seeline, that is exactly what I was looking for - thanks for the reassurance.

Hi melifluous98 apologies for the late reply. Yes like you we are also undecided but grateful to be in this position. We love both W & T they are both academically the same and offer the same in terms of clubs, sport etc.

I personally think it depends your DS's personality and how you feel he would fit into either of the schools.

My DS is not shy, makes friends easily, confident and sporty so I think we would be happy with W or T. I think that both schools would equally be very welcoming, and encourage your child no matter the personality. However, if my DS was not just shy, but not as confident I would be leaning more towards T.

I think in your heart you may already have a favourite. We on the other are going to visit both schools again after the half term holidays. Before the exams, and when we went to the open days I would say that our hearts ruled our heads, but with offers now you may see both schools in a different light and may have more specific questions relating to your DS which you may have not considered before. Hence we are doing a final visit to make our minds up.

Which one are you leaning more towards, do you have a preference?

Anxiouslywaiting1 congratulations and well done to your DS.

Fabfortysomething congratulation as well. Fab advise from Seeline, now you just have to thinks things over before you make that final decision. You mention that your DS is quite and shy. At his current school is it co-ed, does he have more female friends or a mix? The only reason why I'm asking is that some shy boys find girls to be more understanding less boisterous, so a co-ed may look suitable in that sense. T on the other hand may not have girls in till 6th form but I do like their understanding that yes buys can be quite, and shy away from the more creative subjects and therefore more willing to try where girls tend to outshine in this area. Would that make a difference for your DS? Also have you tried both journeys at peak times that but sway your decision. Good luck, whatever you decide let us all know.

slightly worried that he might feel slightly excluded by all the musical boys

DSs are both non musical. DS1 was not offered a place in even the training choir (and I'm not surprised!) and DS2 gave up on training choir very early on.

DS1 is probably the quietest of the two. He's not a pushy boy at all. DS2, um..., i think a live wire is the politest way to describe him! Both have been "handled" well at T. As has been said, they know boys and have had boys of every possible character pass through their doors.

I have no direct experience of Caterham but I do know people who have boys there who are very happy.

WRT the choice between W and T, it is very much down to the he feel of the school. My gut feeling was that DS1 would have been fine in either, DS2 would have been constantly rubbing up against everything.

That is very helpful, thanks Jige and Soup!

I suspect DS will be happy at either. I do like T because it is more diverse and I feel it will be ok if I rock up in my 15-year-old car and non-designer jeans - and that is just gut feel.

I feel it will be ok if I rock up in my 15-year-old car and non-designer jeans

Lol. That was also one of the feelings I had :o