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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:
stresscity · 30/01/2012 20:26

@Asterisk-DH and I have just roared with laughter!! Grin He'll be fine!! Good luck.

frankies69 · 30/01/2012 20:32

@asterisk...needed a good chuckle!!!! Grin

kjartanette · 30/01/2012 20:49

@Asterisk - very funny! You've reminded me of the drive to W pre-interview. I suggested DS might have his own question for the interviewer, and after a few seconds, and to my horror, he came out with, 'Do you have any special friendships with the boys?' Nearly crashed the car at that point.

kravings · 30/01/2012 21:27

@asterisk - good luck - your DS sounds full of confidence, I am sure he will be absolutely fine Smile

Ladymuck · 30/01/2012 22:00

Don't worry, 4 was total number of trips - academic interview, sports x 2 and music x 1. Just spread out for longer, and today's sports recall at Trinity was a short notice for a lot of boys, so disrupts school fixtures etc. Don't think anyone has had to go back to the same school 4 times for sport! Bearing in mind both W & T field U11 teams against the local prep schools, so sports staff have already had some opportunity to "scout".

kravings · 30/01/2012 23:59

just curious - has any 1st time parents (like me) requested a meeting to see the HM at T? We (casually) met the T HM while we were waiting for my DS to return from his interview. I did ask him a few questions, however our conversation did not go beyond casual talk.
At W we were interviewed by Mr M, but NOT the HM - has anyone been interviewed by the HM at W?

Bunbaker · 31/01/2012 00:15

Wow! All that stress to get into a school. I only clicked on this thread because I am originally from that part of the world. I didn't realise how sought after places were at these schools.

DD sat an entrance exam for a highly regarded independent girls school in West Yorkshire and was offered a place two weeks later without any palaver of interviews and the like.

Good luck to all of those children who have sat entrance exams.

Seeline · 31/01/2012 08:57

Kravings we too are 1st timers (10+) but never expected being in this position DS was doing the exams as pratice so we didn't really think ahead beyond that Blush we were interviewed at W by Mr B, not the HM, and have only really come across him when he spoke at the open morning. I have to say I didn't really take to him.... We saw the T HM at the open morning there and immediately liked his approach. Had an informal chat with him whilst DS was doing his interview and really liked him. We haven't requested a formal meeting as we didn't really have any specific questions about DS vs school and didn't want to appear gormless! Have you asked for an interview?

frankies69 · 31/01/2012 09:16

kravings and seeline We again are 1st timers, however our DS is 11+ cohort and no chance of staying at his current primary school. We feel very differently to seeline with the W HM as we met him on a school time tour and he was v warm. We were interviewed by Cannon B at W Hmm not sure if that gives anything away on the offer process. Unfortunately for us our DS didn't get to interview at T but I do understand your feelings with the HM there being very different. Our DS had his heart set on W from his first visit so in some ways we were pleased that the choice had been taken out of our hands, so to say!! Blush.

kravings · 31/01/2012 09:18

Seeline Same here...really liked T HM at open morning and the informal chat during the wait. The only time we met W HM was at open morning too...my DH thinks he very 'old school' and T HM has more of a dynamic fresh approach.
Just wondered that - does a formal meeting with both HMs have an impact on how they see our DSs?

kravings · 31/01/2012 09:19

seeline, frankies - no, we have not asked for any formal interview/meeting with any of the heads.

frankies69 · 31/01/2012 09:24

Neither did we to be honest, we didn't think that it was 'the done thing' at W and as I said T is no longer an option. I however do like the 'old school' approach of the HM at W. Perhaps that is because my HM at school had a very similar approach and maybe I am just old school myself Hmm

Seeline · 31/01/2012 09:30

Didn't even know it was an option at W TBH. Don't get me wrong - liked both the schools immensely and would be happy with an offer from either [crossed fingers]

SoupDragon · 31/01/2012 09:45

I saw both with DS1. The Head at W made me feel extremely uncomfortable - as if I had been sent to him for some transgression or other. The T head, OTOH, made me feel welcome and an equal.

Whilst the T head is friendly with the boys, they are under no illusions that he is In Charge (although I understand that the deputy head is the Bad Cop in the team:o). They are seen as fair.

kravings · 31/01/2012 10:01

I think my anxieties have flared up again...Sad...does a formal meeting with both/any HMs have an impact - or sway their decision - on how they see our DSs?

SoupDragon · 31/01/2012 10:12

No :)

Unless you have gone into the head's office and made a total tit of yourself!

frankies69 · 31/01/2012 10:13

@Soup you make me smile...thanks for that Grin you have put my worries to one side yet again!!!! Blush

kravings · 31/01/2012 10:20

ha ha ha soupy yes - I must stop myself from seeing the heads Wink, as it is - my DH thinks I need to control myself at interviews as I tend to get over excited Hmm...whatever gave him that idea?!!!

stresscity · 31/01/2012 11:09

Very funny kjartanette
Thanks bunBaker-yes best of luck to all-I think we jolly well deserve it Wink
I did meet with T HM however only as I had a couple of questions. Would have looked a right, quote Soup, 'Tit', if had nothing to say as he made it clear that the meet was for me to ask uny unanswered questions.

SWStressed · 31/01/2012 11:43

Does anyone know of anyone who has actually received a rejection letter from W? OR can shed any light on the process. A friend has heard nothing and although assuming the worst the lack of a letter does prolong the process a bit. 17 days to go yikes

frankies69 · 31/01/2012 11:52

@sws - your poor friend Sad has she called W?? I would perhaps suggest she does that incase the letter was lost in the post Confused I know it is probably not the case!!

Woop Woop 17 more days and our anguish will be over Grin

nuttynat003 · 31/01/2012 21:45

Hello. Felt the need to stop lurking in the background and say 'Hi'. Your posts have been fabulous and a real tonic! DS has sat 10+ for W and had interview which seemed to go well?!? My normally glorious nails are no more and I have turned into an insomniac! Never intended DS to sit this year but just got carried away after the open day!!! Smile

Seeline · 01/02/2012 09:38

Hi Nutty! Sounds similar to us - we entered as a practice for next year! Welcome to the group of nail-less and baggy-eyed mums (that's not just me is it?), awaiting the post of 17th feb Grin

stresscity · 01/02/2012 10:28

Seeline Have we met? Youve got me down to a T-especially the baggy eyes!! Wink
Good luck to your DS Nutty Smile

legallady · 01/02/2012 10:40

Hello, could I interlope on your thread a little please.

I am interested in both W and T for 2013 entry, but wondered where most children who go to these schools live. I know that might sound like a "how long is a piece of string?" question, but rough guesstimations would be really useful.

We live significantly closer to schools in SW London, but it would be a doable journey on the train (changing at Clapham Junction) but I wouldn't want my son to be the only child doing that journey!

Any views gratefully received Smile