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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:
SoupDragon · 04/02/2011 22:07

"whereas T won't accept boys with a statement"

That is not the impression we got when we asked specifically about SEN.

At the end of the day you choose the school which is right for your child (provided they'll have then :o). The memory of the interview with the W headmaster still makes me squirm and feel uncomfortable and is complete contrast to the one I had at T.

OTOH, W has purple capes... [swoon]

morethanlikely · 05/02/2011 07:52

icertainly had the impression that both schhols were highly tuned into the individual .In W the range of upper school qulaifications eg IB, Alevels, BTEC's made me feel that it wasn't a suasge machine with just one route for academic sucess. T hasn't I dont think has the same range but talks convincingly about how they nuture the children towards ultimately A levels. personally i don't mind which school as LONG AS I GET AN OFFER!!!

cooney · 05/02/2011 11:59

Given that T added an extra calss last year, does this mean that they won't have places at 13+ next year. Usually they only take 15 - 20 at 13+. W took 15 last year and also overoffered at 11+, as did St Georges College, St Geroges told us that instead of the usual 40 or os places they would be only able to offer 20 or so for the 13+ 2012.

LIZS · 05/02/2011 12:11

Agree I definitely didn't think Trinity would turn down a child on basis of SEN - indeed on our tour we came across a boy who clearly had similar traits to ds, but had found a niche and passion there. Private schools don't benefit with statements in the same way so often SEN doesn't really show in stats.

We were told on our tour that the bulge class would continue throughout and no less would be admitted at 13+ into that year group as a result. However they would try to keep the overall number in school the same even with admitting girls to 6th form (so not sure how they can really achieve both without reducing intake somewhere !).

basildonbond · 05/02/2011 13:08

The child I'm thinking of wasn't turned down - was offered a place in fact but was told they would have to give up their statement. Whitgift on the other hand welcomed him with his statement. Statements in private schools work exactly the same way - the schools get a certain amount of money attached to the child and in return are bound to provide what's in the statement.

Don't get me wrong, I think Trinity is an excellent school, but I don't think the differences between the schools are that pronounced - it's definitely not much more touchy-feely!

Caoimhe · 05/02/2011 14:05

That's interesting basildonbond as most people I know got very different vibes from W and T.

Personally I was completely put off by W's HT whom I found cold and unapproachable whereas Mr B at T certainly gives the impression of being more open and friendly.

Ds is at T now and I do find it quite "touchy-feely". I have friends with boys at W and their experience does appear to be different to mine at T.

Of course both schools are fantastic but I do think they suit different kinds of children.

Ladymuck · 05/02/2011 14:41

I note the "allegedly" in your statement re sport Soupy - does that indicate that the reality doesn't quite live up to the billing? I have a similar ds1, who is keen on certain sports but doesn't play at the high levels of some of his peers, and whilst he doesn't mind being in the D team say, clearly they don't get as many matches.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2011 17:17

I am hoping it is just early days wrt the sports thing but DS1 plays rugby every Sunday for a local team yet is in the very bottom group at T, playing with the "colours" not even the D team. I am not delusional about how talented he is but he is certainly capable of D team or even, on a good day, C (might be delusional there though!).

I am still convinced that his chances are better at T than W in that respect though.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2011 17:20

I agree with Caoimhe that the vibes given off by the two schools are completely different and with her judgement on the headmasters. I was firmly in the W camp until we did interviews for both when my thoughts changed entirely and I knew which school was right for DSs and for me.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2011 17:37

I've had a look at the W website and can't find an equivalent of the T headmaster's weekly newsletter. It is always praising boys for all sorts of achievements, is often funny and is rarely limited to academic and sporting achievements alone. It is that kind of thing that gives off the Touchy Feely vibes I think.

Having said that, if W had offered DS1 the best scholarship, he wold most likely have gone there. I'm not anti W by any stretch of the imagination.

Ladymuck · 05/02/2011 18:23

Not sure about the weekly letter, but the termly update from W is so top sports oriented, it is quite offputting. Almost comes across as "off course we don't expect every boy to make the England U17s, but you should at least be on the national team for showjumping or shooting or something" Even academic achievements don't seem to get a look-in.

Sympathy on the sports side. We had a similar issue at ds1's prep school. In the end we've moved him to C, and suddenly I am spending 5 days a week washing rugby kitWine.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2011 18:31

Um... Is that moving him from CH to C or from somewhere else to CH? Because I've heard similar about CH wrt teams.

The T newsletters are all on their website. The one from the snow week is one of my personal favourites.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2011 18:32

My :) is missing from after the word "teams" :)

Ladymuck · 05/02/2011 18:52

CH to C. Had a particular objection to the way that 56 out of 60 boys in a year would be in a rugby tournament, and the other 4 had to stay behind.

Caoimhe · 05/02/2011 19:04

I found the sports fixation at W quite annoying (as the mother of a sportingly-challenged boy!! Grin) plus the fact that Dr B seems to find his way into every photo of any publication.

Of course W is fantastic for a lot of boys and the range of languages and the choice of academic paths at sixth form are amazing. So I'm also not anti-W at all!

How are you finding C, LadyMuck? Are you not considering keeping your ds there for senior school (as you've mentioned doing 10+ for W and T)? I loved C's senior school but it seemed mad to send ds there when he can walk to T. Smile

SoupDragon · 05/02/2011 19:57

DS1 could have walked to T had we not moved when he was 3 Envy

Ladymuck · 05/02/2011 21:45

Our plans increased in urgency when ds1's formteacher kept breaking down in tears because the boys wouldn't do as they were told. Decided ds1 wasn't ready for 10+ in terms of maturity as we think he is better suited to T but year 6 are just in the whole mix. Opportunity came up to try for C, and we have guaranteed place at senior school. Want another year of GCSE/Alevel results before deciding on senior schools, but so far C exceeds our expectations. He'll still sit the scholarship exam for C, and many sit W&T as well just to see what they get.

Caoimhe · 05/02/2011 22:49

The exam results at C are excellent and the school is in such a fab, peaceful location! It's great to have a guaranteed senior school place.

Do you think C H is going downhill a little? A friend is considering it at the mo. Sounds like your ds's teacher was a bit hopeless!!

LIZS · 06/02/2011 07:25

I'm wondering which C ?! If the one I'm thinking of there isn't a scholarship exam as such for external candidates - academic ones are awarded by performance in the 11/13+. Perhaps different internally. fwiw we've had same issue with both boys' and girls' teams at dc prep.

Ladymuck · 06/02/2011 09:03

CH certainly isn't the same school that it was 5 years ago. My heart sank when I realised that the 3 year 5 teachers had a total of 2 years teaching experience between them. The preprep is still excellent, but the prep leaves a lot to be desired. 60 boys a year is too many for the facilities available, and there is little attempt to look at the boys as individuals.

Yes LIZS I expect it is the same C but the arrangements are different for the prep school where entrance seems to be determined at the end of Yr4. They're still prepared for the 11+ exam but it is only relevant for scholarships.

Caoimhe · 06/02/2011 09:19

Thanks for that, LadyMuck - I think I will suggest she looks elsewhere.

When I visited C I was shown around by a Y7 girl whose brother was at W and (in her 11-year-old opinion Smile) the schools were similar academically but W had the edge for sports. The Latin teacher I spoke to at C was also quite a character (in a good way)!!

SoupDragon · 06/02/2011 09:47

Haven't CH bought the old Woodcote site though? I was under the impression they planned to move the prep part of the school there, thus increasing the facilities.

runawayrunaway · 07/02/2011 10:41

Hello all, quick hijack - is there anywhere I can download past papers for the W & T 11+? I've looked on both sites and can't see anything (this may just be me being dense, though Confused)

Am assuming the format is English comp/essay, Maths and VR?

Good luck to everyone who's waiting for results, btw!

Ladymuck · 07/02/2011 12:09

Both schools give out specimen papers as part of their prospectus pack, but you can't actually download them iirc. The English papers are close to the ISEB ones imo.

stressederica · 07/02/2011 14:46

SoupDragon, thanks for being so helpful. God...Really can't wait for this whole thing to be over...Confused Like morethanlikely, I've got to a point where ANY OFFER WILL DO! :)

No, seriously, both schools are fantastic. As we did not have the pleasure(!) of being interviewed by the headmaster at W, and saw the chaplain instead who was as warm and friendly as Mr B at Trinity, both schools are more or less on a par with us.

The sports thing at W is a bit of a concern for me as DS is more the keen, enthusiastic, will have a go at anything type.Bless him! :)

Nobody mentions the various clubs which seem to be so avidly promoted by both W&T. Are the kids actually encouraged to get involved? DS got very excited when he saw the list of clubs on offer, especially at W.

Why does it take so long for the schools to post their offers? Are they still interviewing? Deliberating? Eliminating? Hmm Surely they know by now who they want or don't want, don't they?