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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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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:

Kabba · 02/02/2012 11:22

..just to add an anecdote .. when we looked round W last year we got to have a 10min chat with Mr B who told us how it's very important they get the right boys at W and that previously they had not offered the boy who got the top maths result (don't know what age entry) a place as he had been a bit rude to his mum in the interview (they must have interviewed parents and boys together then) - so obviously the general impression in the interview is important and i don't mind that he clearly described lots of boys he interviewed as "lovely" to their parents as that's a great start!

SoupDragon · 02/02/2012 11:45

There's a Canon B too, just to further confuse things :o

MrB volunteered the information, I didn't hunt it down on the internet like a stalker. To be fair, I only know the road. :)

Ladymuck · 02/02/2012 11:47

Ah yes, that well-known anecdote! It wasn't a joint interview, just that it was noted how the boy spoke to his mother both prior to the interview, and when he rejoined his mother afterwards. I have to say that it is the perfect story to remind boys of when they get ever so slightly cocky (I'm sure not applicable at 10+, but there are always one or two in the 11+ contingent...).

But again, they really only interview boys who they are expecting to make offers to, so if you've got over that hurdle your ds has done well.

kravings · 02/02/2012 11:49

throwing the spanner in the works....who the hell is Mr B...we were interviewed by a Mr M, he is apparently 2nd to the throne...IYKWIM...and yes, he did use the standard line of what a really lovely boy you have! when he started the interview.
My belief is that - at W - DS did the exam really well and answered all the maths and general knowledge question so well that apparently Mr M was very impressed....
Lets all get together and go off on a holiday during the half term...our DHs will call us on our holiday and inform us of the results...and I am sure they will all be the results in our DSs favour.
on the other hand...frankies save a space for me in the van

kravings · 02/02/2012 11:58

Ladymuck...now you are the true voice of reason...your one line has completely put my mind to rest...But again, they really only interview boys who they are expecting to make offers to, so if you've got over that hurdle your ds has done well

frankies69 · 02/02/2012 12:07

Gosh I am beginning to love you lot!!!! Kravings you have made me LOL in the middle of the office

Passport - check
Suncream - check
bikini - check
mobile - nah whatever!!!!!

Ladymuck · 02/02/2012 13:32

I think that it can also be difficult when you are comparing notes with people in the same situation (ie have got to interview and possible sports assessment), and it is very easy to forget that at least 400 boys didn't make it that far. Must stop posting as otherwise this thread will hit 1000 before 16th Feb!

frankies69 · 02/02/2012 14:33

You have grounded me in the mid flight Ladymuck unpacked the suncream, passport, bikini - now feeling and towards us..for the 400 or so boys who haven't got to interview stage!!!

Still WOO HOO we did!!!! Hurray!!!!

1000 posts here we come!!!

beanie34 · 02/02/2012 17:23

Have just got in from work (in a school!) and caught up with this thread. I'm so pleased to see that we are all still fairly sane, some concerns about being run over and hiding in white vans though!!:)
DS interview sounds fairly similar to others. We/school I work in also has various scripts for various events in the school, mainly to ensure that we keep to times allocated. Trust me and I speak from experience, there's nothing worse than deviating from "the script" and finding yourself 20 minutes later discussing the benefits of going to an osteopath rather than a physiotherapist...Yes it has happened, whilst faced with a queue of impatient but lovely parents who want to discuss their child, rightly so!
We all stand a good a chance as any and our DS's have done really well to get this far. I'm going to put the in to chill now and carry on with my relaxed breathing. to all of you lovely ladies.

kravings · 02/02/2012 21:29

The rate at which we are posting on this thread...I think the topics discussed will push MN on top of the listing on the search engine results pages! As it is we posted the highest number of messages on this one thread only ...right, everyone we must set a record and hit the 1000 mark before 16th Feb...

SoupDragon · 02/02/2012 21:52

It was started in January 2011 though.

frankies69 · 03/02/2012 07:03

Thats Ok soup we don't mind that it started last yr, maybe another group next year will keep it going and it can be the longest mn thread

frankies69 · 03/02/2012 09:16

Good morning all
We just have 14 days till LETTER DAY!!!!

Seeline · 03/02/2012 09:21

Thanks for the reminder frankies I might of forgotten otherwise
This is going to be the longest fortnight ever. At least my postman seems to be back to his normal round as our delivery time has gone back to about 11.30 rather than the 3.30 of last week. I only hope he doesn't have to do a double round on the 17th.

frankies69 · 03/02/2012 09:25

Oh seeline I do like to be of use, sometimes . My postie will be running scared again..I too hope he doesn't have to a double run!!!

Postie stalking starting in force again!!!!

stresscity · 03/02/2012 10:53

Morning all-Blimey, 14 sleeps then its all over . Thats for those that actually sleep for the next 2 weeks. I think it was ladymuck who said about offers. Can you just clarify again that out of the 200 who passed ( figures from T HM to me) what % will get put on waiting list? As there are 70 places, surley no more than 30 ish would be on a WL? Still if thats the case, 1 in 2 chance is better than 1 in 3!

stresscity · 03/02/2012 10:54

Love this post so much girls to all for keeping it going ( and me going )

frankies69 · 03/02/2012 11:32

Stresscity Did you get W interview too?? Sorry loosing track of where everyone is trying to get

kravings · 03/02/2012 12:30

stresscity/ladymuck - please clarify the stats for me - how many passes T and/or W and how many actual places are available?

kravings · 03/02/2012 12:32

frankies - felt panic wave - when I read that 14 days left!

SWStressed · 03/02/2012 12:39

But they get posted on the thursday don't they? So really it is Friday 17th?

frankies69 · 03/02/2012 12:58

Yeah the letter will hit the mat in 2 weeks today

SWStressed · 03/02/2012 13:06

Does that suggest you might be brave enough to call on 16th? If so will u ask for me too haha?

Ladymuck · 03/02/2012 13:14

Stop stressing!

They will offer about double the amount of places available. Most boys who get an offer from one school will get one from both, and many boys will have sat one or both schools as a back up to either a grammar or another independent school They expect to receive as many offers declined as accepted.

So taking T for example, there are 70 places at 11+, 200 interviewed, 140ish will get offered, wait list of 20-30.

Yes, they can and do, get caught out by over-offering, but they usually get it right, or close to right. The offer to place ratio is a sensitive one for schools (as it is an assessment of how attractive they are) - less academic schools have an even higher offer to place ratio.

stresscity · 03/02/2012 13:25

Oh ladymuck i do hope youre right-i feel a little better with those figures .

My DS sat for Trinity and Ewell Castle only. Passed both exmas and place offered at Ewell Castle however will be in floods if doesnt get T as that is the only school we really want. We have been realistic though and took DS round to have a look at EC Wednesday evening-he hated it so the pressure really is on. That said, DH and I like EC and I think the eiry feel of an old builing (v.dated inside-blue lino and peeling paint) at night played a big part on DS's views. That and sports facilities are of no contest between the two also. Wheres my

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