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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:
Ladymuck · 27/01/2012 10:22

I can't imagine being at a school where only one or two others were sitting for these schools, and you would therefore be so identifiable, especially in a relatively large school. That said having the children comparing interview dates etc in the playground can be grim....

SoupDragon · 27/01/2012 10:26

I think 6 sat it in DS2s year. I think 6/90 is, in some ways, better than being in a small pool where everyone has sat it and knows whether their classmates have passed/failed. You're right - all that comparing must be grim. I don't think DS has really discussed it even though I have quizzed him

frankies69 · 27/01/2012 10:30

My DS is the only on in his school to have sat for any of the schools so have been very fortunate in that none of the children know he has sat, only his closest pals who he talks to

Ladymuck · 27/01/2012 10:32

[There's 58 in Year 6 at CHS, so not that small a yeargroup given that they are all boys! Of course there are some staying on for 13+, but the vast majority sat both]

kravings · 27/01/2012 11:10

in my DSs class about 5/60 sat grammar/private. The rest are all aiming (Shock) for local comps. Its a good thing that he is not happy being part of a herd and is competitive enough to aim for high (...welll...with a few nudges from me..Blush

frankies69 · 27/01/2012 12:01

Unfortunately my DS is in the same boat Kravings, he wants more than most of the "herd" Wink

Kabba · 27/01/2012 12:04

basildonbond thank you. Would love to be a fly on the wall at their "decision" meetings!

keepingittogether · 27/01/2012 16:29

Grrrrr. Although my DS only sat W my friend's DS sat both W&T. At W friends DS was not invited for sports assessment, while my DS was. At T friends DS attended sports assessment and has just been contacted for DS to attend another sports assessment Confused. Friend believes they are reassessing due to over subscription, whereas W only invited boys with some promise - who knows. Also from other friends whose DS's have attend both W&T, they NEVER indicate or advise that DS will get or is inline for a Scholarship as 1. Rules disallow it and 2. They make final decision on awards first week in Feb once they have collated all the data. All offers at both schools are reviewed by the HM for both schools in the same sitting (Yr6 one day, Y7 next etc) week commencing 13th of Feb. Then all the letters are dispatched on the same day (planned to be 16th). I have this 'confirmation' from a reliable 'source', they also are adamant that NO ONE is told prior to this. Also % of scholarship award is calculated on the DS's current strength and future potential in that area, coupled with references provided by parents to support the award application and school reports. A stronger performer on the sports assessment day, supported by strong 'club' references who also demonstrated good levels across all sports (not just chosen) will get the maximum (not related to academic results), a strong performer in chosen sport, that was average across others showing less potential will score less. BUT the school reports can tip the final decision in securing the 50%. Academic awards are judged separately. Music awards can be made in later years. I had a very good chat with someone at a party on Saturday that understood the process very well and is very credible as confirmed by host. It all makes sense and seems very fair. I feel a bit better know as I tool had overheard a few Mumsy's at the school gates alluring to the fact that they had been told a scholarship was inline..... hmmm what is it with these people - I never slept from Thursday till by conversation on Saturday!

stresscity · 27/01/2012 17:00

@keepingittogether-that does all make alot of sense and is quite reassuring. With reference to 'strong club references', has T requested ref from boys clubs? The only ref i was aware of that T requested was general from current school? Does anyone know differently?

keepingittogether · 27/01/2012 17:20

@stresscity, my DS went for W, Friend's (as referred to above) was not asked for references at T BUT was like me asked for W. It appears W filtered many out before they even attended the W sports assessment, whilst Friend's DS has been asked back to T for another (a kind of reassessment maybe). W did ask for them in the scholarship application, I guess the two schools although from the same family have a different approach.

frankies69 · 27/01/2012 18:09

@keeping and stresscity....I think I am going to take all this playground goss with a large pinch of salt and take a wide berth from it all Grin!!! I am gonna have a nice few glasses of Wine tomorrow and relax and think "he will get in if they want him!!!"Wink

Maybe we should all do that hey???? Hmm

beanie34 · 27/01/2012 18:39

@frankies69

We must be thinking on the same lines, bottle chilling in the fridge! Have heard so many differing things about offers etc. We are looking at W, T not in the equation DS didn't sit, geography more than anything else. Interview at RGS Saturday and then there is really nothing else to be done except sit and wait it out, what will be will be. I'm still loving the thread, it really has helped me.

Also to Soupdragon - Love the picture, it's the Clangers used to be one of my favorite programmes, ah happy days.

frankies69 · 27/01/2012 19:11

@beanie - Exactly, it is all out of our hands for W now...good luck at RGS, we did apply for W and T, but W will always be our first choice and thankfully we got an interview for there Grin. As Forest Gump says, 'life is a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get!!!!!' HA HA Wink

havinganightmare · 27/01/2012 19:41

@beanie34 How was the RGS interview? My DSs best friend sat it as well - but for 13 not 11+. He's not had an interview and am not sure what the process is. I don't know anyone else who has sat it. Its an amazing school - good luck with that one - and of course with W!

stresscity · 27/01/2012 21:03

Having a Wine right now Grin The other quote is 'to be or not to be ....... Grin

frankies69 · 27/01/2012 21:06

ummm was just thinking...what should we do to celebrate (everything crossed) on 17th Hmm

SoupDragon · 27/01/2012 21:08

Mmmmm.... roast peacock.

stresscity · 27/01/2012 21:17

Wine Wine Wine and more Wine along with the roast of course

frankies69 · 27/01/2012 21:31

ooh like that stresscity....ummm roast peacock soup....

kravings · 27/01/2012 22:05

yum yum...for starters...peacock feather soup made by SoupDragon...for main course...roast peacock...and for desert...pink flamengo flavoured icecream Grin.

frankie and stresscity will bring the Wine.

Forget the 17th Feb, lets all celebrate this virtual friendship we have formed to get us through this painful waiting time Wink

kravings · 27/01/2012 22:35

dessertBlush

frankies69 · 28/01/2012 06:53

I b there!!!! With the Wine

LIZS · 28/01/2012 07:25

Confused havinganightmare - RGS (assuming I've interpreted correctly) 13+ offers have already been made as exams and interviews took place well before Christmas.

stresscity · 28/01/2012 10:49

oooh im there-The Wine is already chilled ladies Grin

frankies69 · 28/01/2012 11:03

woop woop ummmm can taste it all already Grin