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Secondary education

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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:
Seeline · 17/01/2012 10:06

Soupy - so pleased it went well. We've got ours later this week for 10+ - how long were you/DS in there for? Is DS interviewed away from the parents? Getting so stressed about all this!!

SoupDragOn · 17/01/2012 10:32

There is absolutely nothing to get stressed about :). DS2 was interviewed by himself for 10 minutes, I was interviewed by myself for 10 minutes. And by "interviewed" I mean chatted with.

Trinity have just phoned - we are there next week.

frankies69 · 17/01/2012 10:37

Well done Soup, still waiting for T wish the phone would ring

Seeline · 17/01/2012 10:40

Thanks for the reassurance Soupy and well done on T too! We've got even longer til that one so would be interested to hear anyones comments on T interviews too.

SoupDragOn · 17/01/2012 10:41

DS1 did the 11+ interview at Trinity. Much the same as Whitgift although they should take a "thing" along as an ice breaker and may get asked a few academic questions as well.

Seeline · 17/01/2012 10:43

Yes - will have to think carefully about teh 'thing' - hate to think what DS's choice would be. I imagine his DS would not go down well Grin

SoupDragon · 17/01/2012 10:48

It can be anything - a favourite book, something he did at school, his collection of dead animals, that kind of thing

Seeline · 17/01/2012 10:51

Do you know my son Soup?!

SoupDragon · 17/01/2012 11:06

:o

No, I'm not a stalker, honest!

Blisstina · 17/01/2012 11:49

still waiting......@PoozieP, have you heard anything yet? i rang up last Thurs and was told that they wouldn't give out any information over the phone, but that interviews were being conducted this week. sadly we are now nearly into the middle of this week and nothing.
well done to your DS Frankies69, and thanks for well wishes.
well done to all who have had interviews and excellent news re your DS Soupdragon.
@Havinganightmare, thanks for the info re sports assessments, fingers are blue from being crossed sooooo tightly!!!!!
does anyone know when rejection letters are being sent out??????

keepingittogether · 17/01/2012 12:19

@Frankies69, Thanks - deep breathing for Thursday now! Interrogated DS over sports assessment (he is trying for y6 at W), which was like pulling teeth (hmmm now thats an idea), about an hour after we got home, he came in and said "Oh something a bit strange did happen Mum, the Rugby coach pulled me out of the group for a few minutes to ask some questions", "WHAT!!???" I asked "Exactly what did you do wrong?". "Oh he just asked if I played for an academy, that kind of stuff". He claimed no one else was taken out of the group. Why he never mentioned this between 4PM and 7:30 PM I will never know.

pooziepuzzle · 17/01/2012 14:10

@soup- well done, you can't ask for more than that!
@havinganightmare- ooh, interesting. Fingers crossed.
@blisstina- nothing yet. No post yet today, think the postman is avoiding me, perhaps he knows I am stalking him!!

Asterisk · 17/01/2012 14:24

Just wondering... is there joined-up thinking between the head and the teacher doing the interview? Will the head know anything about DS or is that 'chat with parents' an entirely unconnected with the child? Also, is being invited for a 30 min interview at T the norm, or can we be hopeful that it indicates in running for scholarship?

SoupDragon · 17/01/2012 14:37

I think the head will have some knowledge of the child, although when DS1 interviews the head interview was a matter of course rather than "If you want one"

I can't comment on the length as DS1 was being looked at for a scholarship and I assume DS2 is as well (LOL - listen to me: Mrs Smug McSmug of Smugsville!)

Asterisk · 17/01/2012 14:43

Thanks Soupdragon. So did they say how long your interview was for when they phoned from T? You're entitled to feel smug! Wish I could too. On hopeful side, nice person phoning seemed to expect us there for head interview, and also said DS did v well in exam. Don't want to be complacent though...

SoupDragon · 17/01/2012 15:39

Yes, half an hour.

I am SO glad I have a good few years before I have to do all this with DD. It is utterly horrendous.

frankies69 · 17/01/2012 16:07

Well thanks all for good wishes...still sitting with the phone PINNED to my ear and the postman has a tracking device on his foot that goes off when he nears my door!!!! Atleast if we don't get a phone call by Friday we know our DS isn't what T are looking for.
To all those worrying about W interview must say it was fine, we were exceedingly nervous but had a lovely chat and can only keep our fingers crossed. DS done brilliantly in the exam and now it is up to whether he is their sort of thing!!! I AM convinced he is their cup of tea but you never know.
He came out from the interview feeling confident as he did from the exam so if his confidence is anything to go on....he is IN!!!! ha ha Grin one exceptionally excited mother here!!!!!

SoupDragon · 17/01/2012 16:33

Part of me feels that if they did well enough in one exam, they are uniquely to have stuffed up the other unless they are a borderline case anyway. I don't know...

Asterisk · 17/01/2012 17:21

Yeah, Frankie, it seems really unlikely that if he's done so well at W he could have fluffed T. What are you thinking for DD, Soupy? Mine v happy at OP.

FarmerBarleymow · 17/01/2012 18:30

Is there a link between who interviews the boys at T and W? Do the more 'senior' teachers interview the scholarship/borderline boys do you think?

SoupDragon · 17/01/2012 19:29

DD is 6 in February - I've got a fair while to go before I have to worry about her :)

I don't know about a link between interviewer and boy - the Whitgift one said he was delighted to see DS2 as he "doesn't often get let loose on the scholars". I did wonder if the headmaster at W interviews those boys who are borderline scholarship ones - DS1 was being put fraud for one but I don't think he did well int he HM interview and he didn't get one. DS2 is (apparently) very strongly recommended and didn't see the HM but a friend of his was. I don't know - I guess you can come up with all sorts of theories!

Original poster
mummax · 17/01/2012 19:45

Wow!!! I started this thread 12 months ago, how time flys:).
We eventually went with Whitgift. Our DS is in year 7 and having a great time. He has to be reminded that it is not a HOLIDY CAMP!!!
He was concerned about leaving his Prep friends but has made loads of new friends at W.
Good luck to all of you. I remember all to well what you are going through!!!

OP posts:
Seeline · 18/01/2012 09:05

DH took the call from T and says he'd stopped concentrating after he'd written down the date and time, but doesn't think we were given a time for the interview length - MEN!! That was on Sat and still waiting for promised confirmation letter. Has everyone else been told it's 1/2 hr??
@SoupDragon - I too have a DD but 8 in July. I've already started worrying about her - there seem to be much fewer opportunities for girls in this area?

beanie34 · 18/01/2012 11:05

Has anyone out there received offers from W following interviews last week? Have heard that some letters are coming out this week, trying to hold it together and struggling to be calm, no letter!!!! Words of comfort would be greatly appreciated.

SWStressed · 18/01/2012 11:19

I understood that they would not make any offers until 16 February 2012 when they send them all out at once? Are you sure your intelligence is correct? Bit worrying if so.......How was your interview? Did you come away feeling you might be alright?