WUS 8+ Interviews - Please Help

[morewhine]

For parents who's DS have had 7+/8+ interviews at WUS please tell me what's involved as DS is at state primary and we don't know anybody who knows anything about the process. How do they decide which boys they choose? Oral comprehension? Behaviour? Spark - um what does that mean?? DS doesn't do a lot of extra curricula because I can't afford it. Does it matter he's not done Grades in music and in the county tennis club and we don't have glamorous holidays?

Hi Morewhine,
Just saw your message now, and although I can't help, I just wanted to commiserate. We're in the same boat - State primary, with no idea what they're looking for, and no idea how to gauge whether he's done well or not at the interview.

Really happy to find you though, as husband and I were a bit intimidated by all the private school uniforms around. Luckily, our boy didn't notice, and unluckily it's us parents bearing all the pressure.

What seems to us is that the interview was rather cursory, and feels like they had already decided which top 22 boys they were going to choose, and were just checking that the top 22 are indeed normal, well adjusted, if quirky, but ultimately kids.

SE1Mum22 what made you think the interview was cursory? Could you tell which were the top 22 boys?

We come from state school as well and have no idea how they judge the 8+ interview. My son tells me that he was not asked any questions apart from one. So I am assuming what SE1Mum2 says above sounds right. We are going to get the results today anyway so it will all be revealed.

Our DS said they were interviewed in a group of 4, and the master just popped his head in briefly. This compares with another 8+ interview which was 1 on 1 in depth with the head. Hence our view that the written assessment was what really counted for WUS

And vmag- I understand results posted today, arrive tomorrow or even worse, Monday.

I checked with the Registrar on the interview day, she said results by email on Friday.

We got the mail..I am over the moon my son made through. Anyone from SE1, London Bridge area? Now I need to think about commuting and all !!

@themoor - sent you pm