The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013

[hardboiled]

I thought I would start this tradition once again while we all wait? DS only sat Trinity...

Hi there, this my first time here. Just wondering if anybody was offered a place during an interview by Trinity for 11+ entry?

P34ches - Hello. Not quite sure what you are asking exactly, wether people were given firm offers at interview, or are waiting for outcome? not sure Re T but offers for places at W are sent out on 14th Feb. we are now waiting with anticipation!!

All offers are made by post on 14th February as part of a pan London agreement. No firm offers are made at interview although it may be made clear that an offer will be made.

Sorry should have made myself clear. We were told a place would definitely be offered during the interview. I just wanted to know if anybody else is in the same position as some people are doubting us.

DS2 was told this at W: ... and he will get offers from all the schools

It is still not the same as actually having an offer.

P34ches - Well done to your DS! I've heard it happens to some when they really want you, definitely not the norm.
Where you told in that exact phrase? i.e. 'we will definitely be offering you a place', or intimate that you would be offered a place.
DS must have done really well in exam or excelled perhaps re scholarship test?

Soup - But he did didn't he!

It's not the same as actually having an actual offer though, on paper with the paperwork to sign. They can say whatever they like and then change their mind - you wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Nothing is actually certain until the letters arrive.

Yes of course, I agree - which is why we're still waiting with trepidation even though we had what we thought was a very positive interview at the time!

Burnoutdad: We were clearly told that an offer would be made based on exam performance.

I agree as well that we need to wait for it in writing! I was just wondering if this happened to anyone else now or in the past. Just have to wait and see.

All the best.

They could easily have googled me and discovered my secret life as a burlesque dancer and decided we weren't their type of family after all

Bear in mind, that especially in discussions with parents, the school is looking to see your reaction. If told "Of course we will be offering your son a place", some parents will act relieved, others will be delighted, others will say "but of course it depends on the level of the offer", others will act as if they expected nothing less. The school has a pot of money give out, and are assessing how best to distribute it. The strongest candidates are likely to have applied for more than one school, and the Heads will have been seen to have failed if they have too many scholarship offers turned down.

Gosh SOUP, I see you in a different light now lol!

[arf]

Those that are already at Trinity, are you aware of any boys that joined last September year 7 that have left for whatever reason?

Following on from that (sort of), those of you who have boys at Trinity now, is it as amazing as it seems?

Well, both DSs thoroughly enjoy it. I guess that's a good sign!

Feedback is good with grade reports every half term. Lots of extra curricular stuff they can do (in my case, when they are pushed to go and try them they enjoy them!)
Sport is not quite as good for the lower abilities as they like to make out. It is important that an average boy pushes themselves forward if they are keen.

Can't help with your question, Stresscity. I know DS1 (Y9) had a couple of boys leave at the end of Y7 so it does happen.

I'm asking because I remember a previous comment about the reality of W not quite matching the glamour of the open day tours. It is really easy to get swept along by it all as we were. Then, on reflection, we thought, we were shown all the set pieces (racing cars, fantastic art rooms, etc) but we didn't actually see a lesson in action which, after all, is where your ds will be spending most of his time. Thoughts welcome!

High up members of staff do seem to be particularly caring and knowledgeable about and interested in the boys in their care.

It seemed to me that Trinity has less "glitz and glamour" added at open day. This is just my impression though.

Soup, you are the font of knowledge in all matters to do with T! Any thoughts on why the boys left? Also, do any boys do Year 6 for all it offers compared to a dull SATs laden year in a state primary, and then try out for grammars? Or is that just seen as weird?

One went to a performing arts school and I think the other simply moved.

No idea about Y6 I'm afraid - mine didn't do it there. The only boys I know who did it are still there and started with the intention of staying.

I think that Trinity certainly had some boys leave after the end of Year 6 last year (4 I believe but I could be wrong), mainly to head to grammars. In fairness I don't think that the year spent at Trinity was primarily to avoid the SATS (in fact the ones that I know had been at a prep school which doesn't do SATS). One dual earning family suffered from redundancy which made them reconsider the onerous fees, another was put under wider family pressure to opt for Trinity but again didn't feel that the burden of the fees was worthwhile. The former family spoke with the Head, explained their position and were treated very sympathetically.

Its a reasonable amount of upheaval to go through merely to avoid SATS unless you are committed for the long term. And it is a small world in this area, so you will continue to bump into former classmates at fixtures etc.

EyesWideClosed - we had a look around 'W' during a normal 'working' day just to see if it was different to the open day set up.
We saw boys running manic around the corridors rushing to class etc. it was good to see and gave it a warm feeling, almost like a 'normal' school and not stuck up or over orderly. One thing we noticed was that every single boy (and teachers for that matter) treated us like V.I.P's. Boys would stop talking (or shouting!) at each other move to the side to let us pass, say good morning and open doors without fail. I know we should expect this from our DS anyway (as if!) but it was automatic and without any hesitation. One boy heard that our guides could not answer a particular question and went out of his way to come over and tell us what we needed to know. Teachers all smiled and made us feel welcome, even though they were busy working.
In short - no we didn't find it as glamourous as open day but somehow confirmed that it is the right choice (I know they choose you but you know what I mean!). They do offer parents the chance to go and see the school at any time if you call first to arrange.