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.

I'm years away from applying for secondary schools but I'm wondering how many applications there are per place and how many offers are declined given that presumably most apply for more than one school.

Any rough ideas?

SWS - now you have freaked me out! My DH and DS came out of the interview feeling on top of the world - I was rewinding the whole interview again and again in my head and the more I thought about it, the more I was doubting myself .
I think I will give up my idea of lying in front of the car...and go look for a white van in my street as I am ready to be bundled up...no resistance guarenteed

Now I'm more worried too - DS and I definitely got the idea that W would offer a place (Mr B: I'd be very very very surprised if not) but from all that I've read it seems like anything's possible. We also had the complication of a close family bereavement just before the exams started and there's also the paranoia that we've only been granted 'sympathy interviews' ... May never know!!

@kravings - I am with you in the back of the van to keep warm on these cold nights!!!

@kjartanette - We can all sit and go over and over what is or isn't gonna happen!!!

In the interest of supporting each other...we have done all we can..our DS's are wonderful boys!!! We love them desperately and they will get the best for them....Bring on the !!!!!

Yes we were Mr B too, maybe he is just a nice person and faced with anxious looking parents tries to be positive. Was surprised at how positive interview was and now doubting all. Sorry to freak you all out.

Exactly as you SWS. Mr B told us he could see no reason why we wouldn't be offered a place. I felt very positive BUT if he says that sort of thing to everyone..... Or maybe he gets to interview the more certain candidates in the first place (now grasping at straws)

aah we had same from Mr B - very much given the impression DS was perfect fit for W etc - at the start of interview when he said DS was lovely boy and that we as parents should get the credit I remember while nodding and smiling that I bet he says that to all the parents as a nice ice breaker.... Mr B was very good at putting down the other schools we had applied for in the nicest possible way and very direct in asking our preference... DH and I liked him alot though.

Yes also grasping at straws, DS not asked any academic questions, most searching was his favourite football team! But you could think that was good (decided good candidate) or bad (just making up the numbers as they need to over offer/waiting list). What we must do is post the outcomes and try and avoid anguish for next years lot. It means I am still dragging now fed up DS to more interviews as feel can't rely on it.

OMG you have all now raised my anxieties, although trying to keep positive!!! We were not interviewed by Mr B but did get the impression our DS was in the running for a place!!! Now I am beginning to doubt the interview was that good

NO I am going to go back to drinking and keeping my chin up and putting my best foot forward...He is gonna get an offer of a place

Good approach Franki - positive thoughts, positive thoughts - oh yes and

ooh and more

OMG do you think they will notice at work???

Did Mr B say to all "what a really lovely boy you have"? Argh thought we were special! He needs to get some new lines

No, he laughed about DS2 and said "he's very honest about his faults isn't he?"

SWStressed - ask your DS what football team Mr B supports - i bet he'll know!!

I know where he lives.

Is Mr B at T???

My DS certainly didn't discuss football - he hasn't got a clue. Maybe Mr B had to ad lib his way through the discussion on gravity and space my DS seems to have had with him

No Mr B at W

There is a MrB at Trinity, obviously, but this is the one at W. Distinct from Dr B.

Confused yet?

Soup Dragon - you are sounding a bit like a stalker now, worried about poor Mr B's safety

No Mr B does science too - DS also talked about some science topic!

OK that is absolutely NO help at all Because We weren't interviewed by Mr or Dr B!!!!! Should I now be worried?????

No my friends DS was interviewed by someone else and told he got best score in English so I am not sure I am convinced that you can tell a lot by who interviews. Might be the case for scholarships but not generally, there are so many boys they have to share them out. Lets stop stressing, even now I am worried that DS was not asked anything challenging, did they think he is a numpty? Come September this might all be funny!

I don't think anyone needs to worry about who does the interviews - in all the interviews DS did at the various schools there is a tick box theme which all the interviewers will be using I expect for their particular school. DS had some identical and some varying questions asked across the schools and the rest is conversation - they all asked, for example, how will you travel to school, what book did you last read (and what football team do your support )

Kabba you are the voice of reason....deep breath in....deep breath out....keeping going