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Secondary education

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:

frankies69 · 11/02/2012 15:24

Have just noseyed worth sch and it would be a definite non starter for us as it is co-ed and ds has expressed his preference to single sex!!! Girls YUK how long this will be for who knows, and its RC ds would be even less impressed wiv that!!! But good luck to anyone who does apply :)

frankies69 · 12/02/2012 09:48

Good morning all....we are almost there....keep positive

stresscity · 12/02/2012 17:47

Yes Frankies not too long now. I wonder how this week will drag though. As I said beforem what will be will be-chin up folks and keep ing

beanie34 · 12/02/2012 20:32

Practising deep breathing techniques, brown paper bag by the front door ready for when post drops in case I start hyperventilating. Not often that I wish time away, not getting any younger! Really wish it was Friday. Hope you are all okay. :)

frankies69 · 13/02/2012 09:00

Right we are really on the countdown now!!!! It is so close to Friday I can almost feel the letter in my hand

Come on ladies what are you doing over half term to keep yourselves sane??
Witty Anecdotes needed....

SoupDragon · 13/02/2012 09:42

As I gutted DDs bedroom this morning my mind was wandering, thinking "I wonder how DS2 is going to cope with having to have his hair cut for Trinity..."

Of course, he doesn't actually have a place yet....

frankies69 · 13/02/2012 09:49

Oh Soup wonderful isn't it how we think these things.....

Hurry up Friday!!!!!

beanie34 · 13/02/2012 17:14

So, so want an offer from W, there you go just had to say it! Feel better now :)

frankies69 · 13/02/2012 20:33

well done you!!!!!!

gazzalw · 14/02/2012 09:06

Just to say Mumsnetters that I have been following this thread with interest. We haven't gone down the indie route with DS but he has done all the 11+ exams so this thread is of interest given that some of your DCs have passed 11+ exams too. It is very interesting to see why it is that you are more sold on the indies than the grammars - a lot of it seems to come down to sports and other facilities if my interpretation is correct (but I do stand to be corrected).

Anyway, can see that you are suffering similar stress levels as we state-siders are building up to for 1st March. So good luck with your DCs results this week and hope you all get the results you are wishing for!

It is fantastic that Mumsnet provides such a brilliant virtual support network - whatever did we all do before the Internet????

Seeline · 14/02/2012 10:04

Oh God - I have no nails left at all! My thumb has actually started bleeding
I really thought things would improve as time went by but the tension now is unbelievable - 3 more sleeps arggggh!!

Ladymuck · 14/02/2012 10:19

Facilities is a big one especially if you have a child who enjoys sport. But for me the key difference is the number and type of teaching staff. The teacher pupil ratio is at least double (and closer to 3 times) that of the grammars, and the teachers are all involved in extra curricular activities, so they really get to know your child, and you increase the opportunities for something to spark, for your child to be inspired etc. When I looked at Wilsons, whilst they did have clubs for say potential medics, these were all run externally to the school rather than by the Head of Biology etc. Which may mean that they are run with more expertise, but I am quite keen for there to be a cross over from the class room to outside (and vice versa). But that is based very much on my own school experience (one of my teachers was my birth partner!), and dh had a similar experience.

Academically, very little in it given the grammars take in boys who do very well in exams, whereas there is a wider spread in the intake at the indies. And of course you have to have the spare £16-17k per annum per child to throw at the indies, though at W & T the subsidies are amongst the most generous in the country, and typically those boys who have got places at the grammars have got decent scholarships at W&T as well.

I do feel for anyone who is now waiting for W&T and then also waiting for 1st March! Time for a March diet/abstinence thread I suspect!

Asterisk · 14/02/2012 10:54

I think it depends on the actual schools and what you're in a position to offer. We wouldn't have gone down the indie route if our kids had actively preferred the grammars or the comprehensives (indeed, if we don't get an offer from Trinity on Friday, the local comp it will be as it is DS's preferred second choice). But if you do think you can afford it, it is pretty obvious what you're getting for your money at most indies: facilities, inspirational teaching in small groups, many opportunities to take part in extra activities and awards... I am horrified that Wallington Girls seem to be expecting their students to take 15 GCSEs!! There is more to school life than formal qualifications. It just seemed to me that our local indies offer an individual, enriching education in a vibrant atmosphere that's slightly less pressurised than the grammars. Could be completely wrong of course. That's just my impression.

SoupDragon · 14/02/2012 11:06

For me, particularly with DS2, it is the small class sizes. He needs special handling to ensure he achieves to his full potential.

Seeline · 14/02/2012 11:52

soup I think if my DS and your DS2 ever paired up - heaven help the school. THey do sound remarkably similar - at least mine is the year below so reducing the chances

SoupDragon · 14/02/2012 11:53

DS2 could be his role model...

frankies69 · 14/02/2012 12:42

I wish today was Friday and the offer was on the door step!!!!

kravings · 14/02/2012 12:48

We have chosen indie route as a backup to state. I am eagerly waiting for FRIDAY, but my wait will continue until 1st March.

frankies69 · 14/02/2012 15:07

oh Kravings we the other way round!!! ha ha...DS actually is desperate for W...makes it all the more painful if he doesn't get it !!!

kravings · 14/02/2012 15:23

don't get me wrong frankies I want W and T, and would rather send him to indie school if all works out (bursary etc) but on the other hand I would also want to know if he is selected for grammar.

bananadrama · 14/02/2012 18:14

Indie route for us is our plan B. We were really hoping for a grammar place as they are FREE! But we now know that they are no longer an option for us as my DS has not passed any. Was also extremely close to the Wilson's pass mark, but even if he had just got the pass mark, it would not have been high enough to secure him a place these days. Also, it would have been a concern that he may have struggled to keep up academically with all those very bright boys. I actually think that he would fit in much better at T, as there seems to be more of a mix.

We are also hoping for a bursary. Even with a bursary, this would be a very big sacrifice for our family. If no luck with T then it would be our local comp for him also. We just want to know now! All this waiting is painful!

Still counting down the days. Hang on in there all - Friday nearly here!

Ladymuck · 14/02/2012 19:51

Are none of you skiing then? Tsk.

frankies69 · 14/02/2012 20:44

Ladymuck think you did the right thing!!!
bananadrama GL fingers crossed
kravings we not got the grammar option

3 more sleeps

frankies69 · 14/02/2012 20:45

oh wow had to get to 1000 before Friday and I just got it!!!! Woo Hoo
little things hey

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