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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Whitgift and Trinity 11+ exams and Interviews

999 replies

mummax · 11/01/2011 23:16

Hi all
I am new to this. I am loving this site.
Has anyone's DS taken an 11+ exam at Whitgift or Trinity this year. We have taken both and have an interview at Whitgift.
Any tips for a first timer.

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 12/01/2011 07:39

We're in the 10+ cohort and know quite a few applicants. Most boys have taken both, though some have done W only.

W want to know that they are your first choice. They don't want to be anyone's backup. Do be prepared for them to ask ds which other schools he has sat for.

Other than that they seem to play the interviews fairly straight. If he is borderline either for entrance or scholarship there will be academic questions. Worthwhile asking him what he likes doing outside fo school, or what his favorite part of school is to make sure that you're not surprised by the answer. They have to take something to the interview to talk about. The prep schools get them doing projects so they have an extensive project file to talk about, but bringing in their latest reading book or a sporting award that they've got will go down just fine.

Original poster
mummax · 12/01/2011 10:17

Thanks that?s really helpful.
I am nervous but DS and DH seem to be quite call about the whole thing.
DS has put together a portfolio about himself including all his achievements both in and out of school. He has been scoring between 80 and 85% on his practice papers at home and school. We hope that he is not borderline as he is a deep thinker and would take a little while answering quick fire academic questions.
Well here goes everything Smile.
Will let you know how we get on.

OP posts:
Caoimhe · 12/01/2011 12:43

Good luck mummax! Ds did 11+ last year - I remember the anxiety!!!

LondonMother · 12/01/2011 12:56

I look back six years to when we were at this stage and I realise we were very naive. We had no idea what my son might be asked at interview and made no attempt to prepare him. It was only when the offer letters came through that he mentioned in passing that Alleyn's had asked what other schools he'd applied for and which one he really wanted to go to. 'Dulwich College', he said. Fortunately Alleyn's was not top of our list!

Good luck to this year's sufferers.

basildonbond · 13/01/2011 00:00

ds took in his collection of swimming hats - it's just something to spark off a conversation

there were a couple of academic questions (maths I think but it's all gone hazy), they asked ds why he wanted to go there (he was VERY enthusiastic!), what he liked doing, what his favourite subject was - all fairly standard

the format for us was ds went in first, then he came out and was entertained by one of the older boys while we went in for a chat, then we all went to see another teacher

if they've done very well in the exam they tell you - it then takes an age for the results to come through

the interviews also go on over several weeks and the length of time you have to wait to hear whether or not they've been called for interview bears no relation to how well they've done in the exam

good luck to your ds

Original poster
mummax · 13/01/2011 18:15

Many thanks for all the tips.
We have now had the interview, which in our view went pretty well.
All we can do now is keep our fingers crossed for the next 5 weeks. Wink

OP posts:
camptownraces · 14/01/2011 00:45

The tip is, if you want a scholarship for your son, ask for it. They'll soon tell you if he's not scholarship material, but if he is your request may bear fruit.

Also, if your son has done well and they want him, reveal which other schools he has tried, be non-comittal about your preference, and that too may result in something to your advantage.

southernhemisheregirl · 14/01/2011 11:16

Hi, DS has just taken W&T 10+ and has an interview for both.W is next week and heard yesterday about Trinity interview which is not till the end of January. Should I be worried about length of time before I heard and how long off the T interview is as I see thart some people have already had the interview? Do they contact in order of marks, alphabetical order ? DS so desperately wants this.

basildonbond · 14/01/2011 12:40

For T, we heard 2 days after the exam, had to wait 3 weeks to hear from W - not alphabetical as one of his friends whose surname is at the opposite end of the alphabet heard from W on the same day as us and don't think it's to do with marks either as both boys got offers of scholarships

4schoolmum · 14/01/2011 17:15

Hello !
Just joined and DS sat trinity 11+exam this week....has anyone been contacted for interview yet? I suspect he has not passed but part of me still hoping and praying!

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:21

I went through all this last year with DS1 and have the horror of it next year for DS2 [weeps]

DS1 took in a balloon powered car he'd made as its what he had to do for some inter school science competition he'd been in.

We heard from Whitgift within a couple of days which was a huge shock as it was so quick. Trinity took a little longer IIRC but not much longer and some of his friends (who also ended up there) heard a good week or so after DS. I don't know what kind of order they do it in.

camptownraces · 14/01/2011 17:22

I suspect that the order of contacting parents or setting interview dates is the date of the receipt of application.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:22

I found the Whitgift interview more intimidating than Trinity, especially when we had to chat to the Whitgift headmaster.

4schoolmum · 14/01/2011 17:26

I just hate the waiting! I feel so anxious all the time...it's always lurking there at the edge of my thoughts! I read last years posts and if I wasn't so grump
y and stressed would be laughing as we are all going through the same emotions!

4schoolmum · 14/01/2011 17:28

Thanks Soup Dragon...I feel a little reassured by your info!

4schoolmum · 14/01/2011 17:30

Camptown races...do you think that might be true? We did apply very late.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:34

Personally, I don't think the application date has anything to do with it. DSs wasn't particularly early for either of them and we heard quickly for both.

IME, if your son is is in line for a scholarship, they will tell you. I believe that the scholarships are actually awarded on the basis of how he performs at the interview. The exams tell them who to consider, the interview identify those wih actual talent rather than tutoring.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:35

I'm not sure the delay in hearing means very much at all.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:35

And if you think this wait is bad, the wait til the letters in Feb is worse :o

4schoolmum · 14/01/2011 17:38

Oh well. Will just have to sit it out and realise there is nothing more we can do now . I really hope for a phone call soon but wishing isn't going to make it happen! DS seems laid back about it...and pretty laid back about the exams too which may be all the answer I need!!

Caoimhe · 14/01/2011 17:39

Hi SoupDragon, how is your ds enjoying school? Ds still loves it (despite the Maths homework Smile).

I agree that the W interview was so much worse. At least at T the parents aren't forced to meet the staff (it was particularly awful meeting the W HM and his sleepy dog........... Grin)

4schoolmum · 14/01/2011 17:39

My God...By Feb I will need sedation!

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:39

Trinity had over 800 boys sitting entrance exams (more than they've had before apparently) and I think Whitgift had similar.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:41

LOL, yes, Caoimhe, ds still loves it. Although I have threatened to remove him and place him in a crap school if he doesn't put more effort in :o

At Whitgift, I felt like I had been actually sent to the HM for something bad (although I don't recall a dog... perhaps they save that for the "special" families :o)

MrB at Trinity, OTOH, was lovely and human.

SoupDragon · 14/01/2011 17:43

BTW, DS is CT in 1L

Although I have no idea if there is more than one boy with those initials!

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