10+ Entrance Exams - Whitgift & Trinity

[ExamEntranceMum]

Hello everyone

I've name changed for this question!

Is there an increased risk of boys being rejected by Trinity/Whitgift at 11+ if they had previously attempted and failed at 10+? I'm trying to decide whether to have my DS attempt the 10+ in January 2020.

Also if your DS has a mild SEN diagnosis from CAMHS for ADHD 3 years ago but he has learned coping mechanisms and is not obviously SEN, if you subsequently secured a highly regarded Ed Psych who works at a local council to prepare an Ed Psych report almost 3 years after the CAHMS diagnosis, and the Ed Psych said your DS does not appear to be SEN and does not meet any thresholds for additional support, will you disclose to the schools that your DS is SEN?

I'm really confused about what to do. Obviously I'm very proud of the fantastic progress my DS has made but also worried that I'm selling him short with either decision ie disclosing or not disclosing.

Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you.

I'm confused. So he was diagnosed with ADHD but you feel he can now concentrate and pay attention taking things in to the same extend as most of his peers?

Hello Jojo
He is easily distracted but not to the extent that he needs additional support - this is what the Ed Psych has found from the various tests carried out.

In school he does not have extra support apart from sitting close to the teacher but he is at a prep school so class sizes are smaller. He was first diagnosed in state school and we don't know to what extent being a summer born in a chaotic school contributed to his diagnosis.

In some circumstances, children are best supported through in-class strategies rather than 'additional support' in the form of an additional adult. But I take your point that his problem isn't so severe that's he's bouncing off the walls or something.

Tbh, though, if he's summer born, I'd give him another year to sit the exams at 11+. And consider some back-up schools as well.

Do the teachers at school feel your son needs extra attention/strategies due to his concentration or do they not see a problem at all? I'd probably base my decision to disclose/nothing to disclose based on the feedback from his current school.

Thanks JoJo his school does not think I should disclose even if the classroom strategy is that he sits next to the teacher. It is not always the case that he is made to sit there too. He is a student who grasps new concepts really easily as far as his teachers are concerned.

The school is the reason why I'm on the thread asking for advice on what to do as I had full intention of disclosure and they said why would I mention when nothing else really backs this up except a CAHMS report from 3 years ago when his circumstances were very different.

I was hoping that the 10+ attempt would be good exposure if nothing else. I'm hoping he has nothing to lose and wouldn't be penalised by the same schools if he retakes at 11+. He is very able as far as his teachers are concerned. Even his tutor thinks he focuses extremely well and works hard throughout their sessions. She is highly recommended by moms of children at Dulwich, Whitgift and Trinity. I went to her to fill gaps between his state school foundation and prep school curriculum. She is very upfront about chances of passing etc. I have not yet discussed this dilemna with her but I thought it would be useful to have some independent opinion from fellow mumsnetters!

I agree I need to have back up schools in mind. Would Royal Russell be a good bet? What about Ewell Castle, Bishop Challoner or The Cedars? Someone also mentioned Kingswood to me recently. At the 11+ entry there is also Epsom College and Caterham College but I don't know much about them.

In terms of his learning style he is very curious intellectually and will extend himself in his areas of interests and discuss relevant topics at length (not necesarily maths and english) and fairly sporty with a special talent in a couple of sports. I'm mindful that he may need pastoral care as he goes into teen years but difficult to predict at this stage. Thanks so much for listening to me.

Current T parent here. I'd go for 10+. It's great experience and "you never know". I don't think they hold it against you for trying both years - if anything it shows you're keen! Plus they recognise that some kids just aren't ready to leave primary at the end of year 5.

Both schools have great learning support departments. I'd suggest contacting them and asking to speak to the sencos to chat about your circumstances. I know of several children with sen at T including a couple in the junior year, so don't assume it would put them off even if the adhd was a valid diagnosis. Knowing the issues will mean they can offer special access arrangements for the exams and speak to your primary school about IEPs etc. Certainly T seem to want a variety of boys not just one type to fit a mould.

Tbh if the school or the tutor don’t see an obvious issue, there’s nothing to ‘disclose’.

Royal Russell, Epsom and Caterham are all coed. Caterham and Epsom aren’t too far behind Whitgift for GCSEs.
Royal Russell is more mixed ability (but still some high achievers and Oxbridge offers). I’m considering RR for junior school. Personally, we aren’t too sure about about the selection of sports at the seniors (top school for football but rugby almost non-existent). Epsom and Caterham appeal more (but DS is only little so we’ll see how it goes).

Have you been round many of the schools? Do you know whether you prefer single sex or mixed and what you’re looking for in particular?

Oh, Ewell Castle or the Cedars are a lot less academic so perhaps not an obvious choice for a bright boy.

Thank you EnterParent and Jojo for your perspectives on 10+ attempt and SEN disclosure. I can mull over these with the school and tutor.

For choice of school DS prefers all boys where he has access to a wide variety of sports and clubs to explore in years 6 and 7. Privately, allowing for SEN support being required more in the teenage years, I'm concerned about pastoral care but I don't want to sacrifice the academics which seems to be the issue with The Cedars, Bishop Challoner and Ewell Castle. On balance it is tricky to choose as Royal Russell for instance does well by its high achievers and seems to have great pastoral care but its top sport isn't his thing. If it must be co-ed I'm tempted to look at Caterham and Epsom but I have not visited these two schools as yet. DS definitely prefers Trinity and Whitgift but I also need to manage his expectations.

Is Reed’s commutable for you or too far west? It’s single sex with a more traditional selection of sports + academically a peg down from Whitgift or Trinity so could be a good back up.

Hi Jojo it's not local but we are not averse to moving as DS is our only child. I haven't come across it before so I'll add to my list. Thank you.

Hi OP,
At the W 10+ exam I overhead some parents talking about their children being diagnosed ADHD, another Dyslexia etc. Also, they give extra time to those who need it.

Would your DS be fine with writing the exam sitting anywhere in the group? or would they need to be placed somewhere, say, they are more comfortable sitting next to the exam invigilator, at the front?

I don't really know if those DC got in.

What I know is that W is supportive and pastoral. I have also come across some students who seem ADHD over there, though one of them is in DS class, and DS said he was very good in English.

DS himself has atrocious writing that I worried he would get no school due to incomprehensible writing - even though he is excellent at Maths. But the school is giving him additional help and now touch typing to make sure that this does not hinder him anyway.

Sorry, being unhelpful about whether you should disclose or not, but your DS would get a lot of help from W if he gets in.

Good luck.
x

Hi I'm also a current parent - DS1 is in yr 9 and I have DS2 who may be doing 10plus this year.
DS1 was an ADD diagnosis and also Asperger's - probably mild - has some coping mechanisms and not hyperactive anymore. I did tell the school as I wanted them to be aware - he sat at the front so less likely to be distracted - so they did make some special arrangements for him..He is a scholar and quite bright so has not needed extra help since - we have had one meeting to discuss Asperger's and there is support there if needed. HTH.
We love the school and I really wouldn't worry about telling them - they need the information to help give him the right support.

Oh wow Mummy and Wimbles this is incredibly useful, thank you so much for sharing.

Apologies I have not checked the thread in a while but it was well worth popping back as you have confirmed that I've made the right decision to disclose. I made this decision as I felt I'd be doing my DS a disservice if I withheld this information especially as he might find the unfamiliarity of the exam process and new settings to sit them or even settling into the the new school a bit daunting and I wouldn't want him to have an unnecessarily challenging time settling into the new school. After all the whole point of this journey is to secure the right place for him.

I truly value each and every view point that has been shared as I was able to debate the pros and cons and then move on to what is in the best interests of DS.

Fingers crossed now as we count down to the exam dates!

You're welcome. Regarding exam day stress, I found the school goes out of its way to put the boys at ease. I think they actually end up having a relatively enjoyable day!

That's encouraging to hear!

Whitgift excluded a child with ADS because they don't have SEN support. I.think they've let this very bright child down badly.

Don't think of Whitegift if your child has any special Eductional needs. I know a really clever little boy, a scholar, fee paying. But they excluded him. They let him down