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.

@Caoimhe -

Just hope that DS does not get nervous. He has been told to bring in an object to (kick) start the interview . What a long process we have to go through, first the exam, then the interview and finally the agonising wait for the results!!!

Am really interested in this process given historical family connection with W and length of the thread and at the pressure that demographics clearly make.

Ok, naive, but why are parents interviewed now? Mine never were, for DB. I went to W's sister school and parents weren't interviewed there either. What questions do they ask beyond Can you stump up for fees? And does any grammar interview parents? Don't think so. Which indies do? It seems bizarre, though I must be missing a perfectly sensible point.

Another question: how many applicants are there for how many places now at each of W and T? Presumably lots.

I was asked why I thought the school was right for my son and told how wonderful he was. [shrug] I think that pretty much sums it up :o

Yellowstone, Trinity have had around 800 applicants across 10+, 11+ and 13+ this year.

Yellowstone - the "monitor" at W who escorted us to our interview told as they'd been told in assembly there had been over 1000 applicants this year, more than any other independent school in the country - not sure how W would know they had the most applicants nationwide though if indeed that is the case...

oh, the numbers scare you, the indie sector is almost getting as bad as the grammar sector where it is a norm to have about 1700 applicants for is is about 140 places...what chances are there of getting in??

Just wait for a few more years. Croydon had around 4,500 births in 2001, up to around 5,400 by 2009. No sign of those extra 900 secondary spaces per year...

The super selective stats vary hugely around the country kravings but that seems to be about the norm in London and nearby.

The W website is definitely impressive, I've just looked at it. Interesting to view a school that I knew well as a child from a different perspective.

@Yellowstone. The schools are quick to stress that parents aren't actually interviewed. It's a chance to ask the head about any concerns you may have. My DD is at Old Palace, and there the interviews are held after offers are made. It's a whole lot less stressful.

Yellowstone You went to OP? Small world! I grew up in Croydon (hence why I follow this thread) and lived not far from W. and went to school not far from T.

Although the numbers of applicants are scary, they are generally the same applicants for all schools, give or take a few.

WRT "no sign of those 900 new secondary places" for Croydon, I did v recently read something in the local paper about new schools - in the north of the borough though. I can't remember the details as I wasn't really paying attention. Someone told me that the 2000/2001 birthdate was low though - too many people trying to cram in a millennium baby in the previous school year probably.

You know what, regardless of how we all fair in the coming weeks the FACT is we are all loving parents, wanting the best for our DS's, the amount of effort we put in has resulted in them having a chance at T & W etc and wherever they final end up they will ALL have a better chance in life than the masses of children who travel through the system unguided and left to their own devices. After two hours of meditation I have now developed this coping mechanism :) see how long it holds up.

Spoke to a lady at T this morning who says that a huge batch of letters re interviews were posted yesterday.... My poor postman will be nervous again this morning!!

We are trying to think of what thing" to take in.

ds2 : My DS?
Me : No
ds2 : Crossbow made of biros?
Me: No! How about a photo of your older brother so you can say I'm like him only even brighter"?

Soupy! We are in a similar position. DS has come up with all sorts but I can just imagine where the conversations are likely to go so we are still thinking too!

If it is any comfort at interview at W I did ask about numbers and was told they have to over offer as obviously a lot of people apply to several schools so I think that once you are at interview you have pretty good odds. I think that is why they are so keen to get a feel for whether you really want the school and are therefore likely to accept a place.

Trinity over offered in DS1s year - they have a bulge class because so many people took up the offers.

oh you guys do make me laugh, what with nervous postmen and converstions like SoupDragon. Mine suggested bringing in our dog. He said they will definitely offer him a place there and then ( We have a Doberman!!) I received letter from postie 10 mins ago confirming interview tomorrow. It also stated there will be a parent there to answer any questions. Interview tomorrow so big glass of vino tonight ( for me that is ). Actually, may have to start lunch time!!!

Wow I have managed to stay off for a whole morning .... Good luck wiv your T interviews all....I have decided to just relax and what will happen will happen

"...whatever will be, will be..."

KeepintIt - hear hear!

Frankie - admit it, you can't keep away

Soupy/Seeline/Stresscity- Yes, we are in a dilemma as to what to take to T. @Soupy, I love your idea of the photo , I suppose, the reason they have asked us to take an 'object' is to guage our DSs personality ,

Soupy I am that you have your 2 in the correct birth order. Would it be going too far to change ds2's surname in order for him not to be associated with his brother in 2 years time?!

Arrgggh - no post at all today. I am going to go slowly round the bend.....

Kravings, the "object" is purely for use as an ice breaker if necessary. It gives the boy something they know they can talk about. Which isn't to say that I will be letting DS2 take in something he's made from the "mini weapons of mass destruction" book he got for Christmas.

Ladymuck, I did indeed have my two boys in the right birth order. Not least because ds2 would probably have been an only child had he been first :o It's not entirely without cause that DD is 5 years younger then him! Seriously though, he is, I think, perhaps brighter than DS1 but my god it comes with a huge flip side - he is also more defiant, more full of life and more challenging all over.

Seeline, I did get my letter today for interview tomorrow - to paraphrase:

• 20 minute interview but could be there for up to 40 minutes
• current parent present to answer questions serve tea and biscuits
• If you want to make an individual appoint.. to see the HM he will be happy to meet you either on interview day or a later date incl evenings and saturdays
• bring something which might be useful as a topic of conversation to begin the interview - trophy/souvenir/small bit of work/ large cash bribe It won't be assessed and they would like to stress that your son shouldn't feel the need to produce something especially for interview.