Whitgift and Trinity 11+ exams and Interviews

[mummax]

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.

@beanie no letters are being sent till 16 feb in line wiv others :)

Still no news for us from T but no rejection letter either so still hoping

@beanie, I was told that all the offer letters go out together. A friends DS was accepted last year and they (her and five other stressed Mums) all heard at the same time, even though interviews were days/weeks apart.

Just had an excited cal from friend who received an interview date/time from W today for next week - so for anyone waiting they appear to still be in the process. My friend's DS was 11+ not 10+ like mine. :)

@keepingittogether...glad our friend has interview date :)

Well we still not heard from T either way and have been told they are ringing and sending letters right up until Friday!! Still gotta wait!!!!

@frankies69 How utterly agonising. I hope it's good news for you. Did you phone to get the info on what's going on? I wonder if they would divulge how many are being interviewed if one asked directly?

@frankies69 - I am sure it will work out fine and hopefully you will hear soon with a date, then you can relax

@Asterisk, I rang them to be told everyone will hear by Friday!!! they were fine about me asking...but no I don't think they will tell you how many etc. I know a friend heard at 6.30 last night so still a bit of time to go

@keepingittogether I would just like to know one way or the other really...whatever the answer and then a large will be in order!!!

Following this thread with interest.

Im thinking of trying DS1 for T and W next year BUT we have no idea of the standard expected. He's a bright lad but no genius, and in a good state primary. Can anyone tell me, are most boys who apply from a prep school background or state and do they have to be super-bright and/or tutured?

Oh, and I can feel the nerves from here, so good luck to you all

Thank you all. I heard from a friend who said her friend had told her that her DS was offered a place as he was one of the top candidates/scholarship offered etc. I'm starting to wonder who to listen to, playground talk? Should know better. I think I will avoid the drop off and pick up for a while. I too thought they were all sent out at the same time. I'm sorry if I freaked anyone out! Back to sanity and keeping calm until the letters arrive. Thank you for your support :)

SWstressed
Hi,
We came away feeling that it went fairly well, we were told "nice things" and I'm pretty sure that I didn't babble on too much although I couldn't tell you what I said after they told me that they liked my DS and he'd done well in the tests. I can't testify to having asked any intelligent questions at all! DS came out very relaxed, he'd been asked 2 questions and a big chat about which rugby club he plays for, he seemed positive, apparently lots of smiling and laughing went on! All that having been said I have no doubt that they were as pleasant to everyone. It's anyones guess really. Trying to stay grounded :) ! We really want W as does DS so fingers crossed and likewise for everyone out there in the same position. How did you feel?

Sounds very similar, son asked about football, no challenging questions. Tried to gauge how keen we were on W and I was fairly sycophantic but it is true I think it would really suit him. Did get the sense that he fitted the bill, academic and sporty though so feel hopeful.

@TheregoesBod, my son too is at a state primary school and has achieved highly in the W exam. We still waiting to hear from T so this is why we, I mean me!!! are stressed!!! My DS had 6 sessions with a tutor over 12 weeks two hours per month but that was just because his primary school don't offer any assistance to pupils trying for entrance papers. I know of a tutor I can recommend if you are interested nearer the time, private message me if your interested :)

@TheregoesBod, I believe T & W take about 60% from state schools. If your DS is achieving at Level 5 in Maths and English on the National Curriculum by the end of Year 5, he probably stands a good chance of getting in. Get hold of the sample papers and the Bond 'How to do 11+' series (maths is particularly good). You'll quickly identify which topics your DS needs help for. You don't necessarily need a tutor. My kids were happy to work through the Bond books with me (in fact my DS consistently outstripped me in the maths - I learned a lot!). We sent him on a 2-day 11+ preparation course to reinforce exam techniques as a precaution. I figure that even if it doesn't necessarily translate into a place, it is good consolidation and groundwork for Year 7 wherever they end up. My DD sat for three indie schools and got offers of scholarships at all of them without any outside tutoring. But doing some preparation is very worthwhile as it really helps to be familiar with the types of reasoning questions - they are not intuitive. Good luck if you do decide to go for it.

This thread is huge. How come? My brother went to Whitgift years ago and I don't recall it being exceptional or exceptionally popular then. Why is it so sought after? Is it purely pressure of demographics or what?

Maybe the thread is so long, not because the schools are exceptionally sought after, but more because there are some really chatty people in the south London area?

Or because the thread was started last year!

I totally agree with asterisk about tutoring, my ds was high 5 achiever but was told he would need to b a 6! Something I have now realised isn't true. However I am pleased we did 6 1hr sessions as it just helped him with the papers, and his neatness!!! I wouldn't say he wouldn't neaten his work for me, but the rows and screams from me and the tears from him was too much, so for us and him it was a better option!

Ps still no news from T, really beginning to loose all hope

Our DS did bond books and sample papers over a period of 6 months at home, no tutor as such just a lot of effort. DH covered English and I covered maths with DS.

@Yellowstone W & T are special. The world is a far more competitive place and they add an extra zing in sixth form in order to help them achieve the right vocation or Uni. An older cousin went through W on a sports scholarship, was taken on by a leading academy and is now a professional player - W gave him a lot of attention & support plus extra after hours coaching to get to the top of his game. My DS is not at that level BUT W will find a strength in him somewhere that I am confident of - if he gets in :( :)

Has anyone actually had an interview at T yet (10+) or are they a bit behind W? Looking for feedback before next weekend

T exam was later than W so the interviews I would imagine are later :) Good luck with it when it happens :)

Of course - I forgot! The 10+ was only 2 days later on the Saturday....I shall have to be patient (although I already have no nails left)!

@Seeline - I don't think any of us have nails left!!

@everyone - I am soooo losing the plot, sending messages to wrong people etc, although you are all great

Would anyone please let me know if they have had 'thanks but no thanks' letter from T, I am going out of my mind waiting!!! Can't concentrate on anything!!!

frankie and asterisk - thanks so much for the info. Its good to know that it could be a realisable aim for him! If/when we decide to go for it I will pm you re.that tutor if you don't mind frankie.

Oh, and it's not the end of the week yet so don't give up hope!

@theregoesBod No by all means that is fine :)