Whitgift and Trinity 11+ interviews - follow on

[frankies69]

Hi all

I have decided to restart this thread good luck for friday!!!!

Really sorry to hear bad news, there doesn't seem to be any talk of waiting lists, is it worth a begging letter to the head to go on waiting list for anyone disppointed?
My DS got an offer from W yipee but no sports scholarship. We will be waiting for 1 March and doing our sums...

Oh what a shame keepingittogeher:( Was your DS a 10+ place?

Just got text from DH saying we got a place at T (didn't apply for any others). Really gutted for those you didn't make it. Frankies, you've been so good at keeping us all positive.

I have stopped crying now!! Atlast, thanks all...keeping I am gutted for us both xx
I have to say that the 2000/2001 births have been an exceptionally bright year of kids, my ds school in year 3 had to rethink their strategy on teaching as the kids were way above expected!! This gives me hope that wherever DS goes he will do fantastically!!

He has said "I am going to resit at 13 and try again" What an amazing boy I have xx

Yes soup, 10+ - not the sportiest boy but bright and very musical. We tried this year originally as a warm up for 11+ and worked on the basis that if DS failed then we have next year as the 'real' event to go for. The trouble is we got swept up in the W lure and dreamed of DS attending. DH just came home from work and we have sat down with DS and broke the news. He was very matter of fact about it and said "was not really looking forward to doing more home work anyway"..... oh you wait and see what you are doing next I thought. DH relieved as we could not afford it, DS relieved as no increase in home work that just leaves me disappointed, no change there then !!!!!

Frankies, they are so amazing xx but so are we.

I know several boys who didn't get a 10+ place but got in at 11+ with no trouble.

Hey guys, just had a thought...can you advise me on prep for the next 2 years then into W??? Come on Soup or Ladymuck you two a wealth of advice xx

We know what to expect now and I am so determined that DS has the chance to make the most of his life that I will not give in at the first hurdle. My friend just said that the local state schools are fine, fine? What does fine mean, in a year or two less government spending, cutbacks and fine will be ooops oh hell. This is why we must not give up as W, T and others offer a degree of future proofing and protection and that is worth paying for both interns of effort and hard earned cash even if the DH's golfing trips have to suffer (as they will trust me).

Ladies I feel rather rude intruding on your 'e'conversations, you all sound like a really nice bunch, like a group of friends coming into a room and giving your support to each other or delivering good or bad news. My DS got into T today which made him feel a success for the first time in 4 months after being so low, having failed both his 11+ and Dulwich entrance exams. For those who passed for whatever school, well done to all of the boys. For those who failed I know exactly how you feel as a parent, my DD failed all of her entrance exams, 11+ and 4 private schools, we were distraught, punishing ourselves for putting her through it, as she was such a shy little thing who had such a lack of confidence, failing just added to her low self esteem, she ended up going to an all ability private school (no bragging rights there) where they let her learn at her own pace in a class of similar girls, her confidence came in leaps and bounds, she got 10 GCSE's nothing less than a B and 3 A levels (A, B, B) she is now at Kent Uni in her second year of a degree.This is probably not of great comfort to those who did not get in to the school of their choice, but for my DD it turned out that her not getting in was the best thing that happened to her, sorry for butting in.

Frankies, again I'm so sorry for the news.

Firstly I think that it will do no harm to talk to Mr Beck in the next week, to see if they can give any insight into ds's performance (they probably won't - I think it is just down to enormous competition), but also to reinforce the fact that W is your first choice. Ask about waiting list, and possibility of taking exam later in the year (this does happen, but candidates should not sit twice in the same year, but anything is worth a go). No harm in pointing out that this was the one school you went for, that you're not a S London school tart. I would also phone back on the 8 March just to check on movements.

In terms of prep school, Cumnor House in South Croydon has a very good track record in converting near misses at 10/11+ into strong passes/scholarships at 13+ for both W&T, so it is worth contacting them and visiting. I would expect them to have at least 20 odd spaces for boys in your ds's position, so I would speak to them soon, and certainly have conversations going on with both schools at once. The plus side of Cumnor is that the termly fees are much cheaper than Whitgift for Years 7 & 8. Whilst you won't have the building facilities of W or T, the teachers are good, class sizes small and he will have plenty of sport and music to put on his form for next time round. Cumnor will also prep him for the Wallington 13+, and may suggest looking at some other schools too. There is usually at least a classful of boys joining Cumnor at Year 7, so your ds won't be the only one.

Soupy - do you know if our mutual rugby friend's ds has got in?

Fantastic info as always Ladymuck...I will defo look at Cumnor and chat with Mr B...does anyone know anything about Wickham Court...we did look round there before doing W and T...really want some help...as a non-prep mum really not sure on whats next....
@Behinthecurve, well done to your DS and DD they are doing great

WC isn't a prep school as such - they've extended up to 16/18 and so will want your ds to stay on.

If you're on that side of Croydon then Bickley Park may be on option - they send to W&T at 13. If you want W & T then I would concentrate on 13+ schools, so Cumnor, Bickley Park, Homefield in Sutton.

Frankies not knowing where you live these might be of no help, but if the train or buses serve them (if driving not an option that is), have you thought of Dulwich Prep or in Bickley, Bickley Park if you are thinking of prep schools?

@keepingittogether - yes, it will be a big strain - especially as I have DS2 to consider next year. I am in a real pickle - on one hand very happy for my boy, on the other it feels like how am I going to manage?

Frankie, you know that W do 12+ as well as 13+?

Hi - congrats to all who have been offered places.

We got offered a place at T but unfortunately, like Kravings, no bursary. We are on the bursary waiting list, but was told that it will be pretty unlikely to get one. Does anyone out there have any experience or information about movement on waiting lists after March 1st in terms of bursaries?

@caoimhe no I didn't know that...you are all so amazing....woop woop there is light at the end of the tunnell!!!!

Congratulations to all of you.

SoupDragon sorry to drop into your thread but I'm interested in the bit about negotiating. My DS was offered 50% bursary at Dulwich College (guaranteed) and also 100% at City of London school, but on the waitlist.

How do I go about negotiating with Dulwich to increase their offer?? Any hints/tips would be helpful! Thanks

Sorry, I have just realised that I missed reading a page of threads on here with some more of your news. Just wanted to say I am so sorry for those of you who didn't get what you were hoping for today.

It's hard when all you want is the best for your DS. I have 2 other DSs to consider too, so it makes these decisions so much more complicated. There is no way we can go down this road without a bursary, but thought it was worth a try!

Mamakiso - I have no idea! I simply plan to speak to Trinity and explain my dilemma - that it is my preferred school but Whitgift have offered DS a scholarship.

Bananadrama, tbh I don't think that even the schools understand what is happening at present! T over offered 2 years ago, W last year, they are probably both cautious this year, but equally I know plenty of people who would even turn down a grammar place if they got in (which isn't what you might expect in the current economic climate). But who knows what will happen when the grammar offers come out.

Ladymuck, i can't imagine that he didn't get in... if I can't get out of rugby on Sunday I will find out then though.

Thanks Ladymuck. Time will tell, but am not holding out too much hope!