The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013

[hardboiled]

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

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Oh, and good luck to everyone!

[Seeline]

We did chat things through a bit with DS for 10+ interviews last year just so that he could think about things. eg what books he'd enjoyed reading and why, what he'd liked about the school, what subects he enjoyed, what his hobbies were.
He had to do a bit of maths at W but I don't think he did anything like that at T.
At T the boys were taken off for their interviews, whilst all the parents were given coffee in a different room where members of staff and the HM were around to chat to. I think the HM managed to talk to all parents.

[kimalima]

Good luck everyone. Still waiting to hear from T. I am sure the letter said if they weren't calling for interview they would post you a letter at the latest today. Gosh I am so anxious. DS is fairing far better than me!

[FatalFlowerGarden]

Another day of wondering

I am doubly tense as today is probably the day we find out if my boyfriend has been accepted into a PGCE programme. Obviously keeping fingers x'd that he gets a positive result, though it will mean him
moving away for a year as he can't afford to fund it in England... no wonder I feel a bit headachey!!

[JohnnyT]

Does anyone know the format of W interviews this year? My DS1 has an interview tomorrow (yes as a Dad I'm a newbie to Mumsnet so might get the abbreviations wrong.) I'm glad he doesn't have to bring anything in (or did I get that message wrong?) since he'd try to bring some 1000s piece lego toy (that would end in tears not so well.)

[GETASHLEY]

Just had letter from W inviting to Sports Scholarship assessment day, interview to follow later.....so looks like DS has got through both!! Best wishes for all those still waiting and good lucl those interviewing over coming days....

We have T interview on Monday, and W to be confirmed. Sports Days are next week with a wrap up day the following week

[Seeline]

JohnnyT last year we arrived at the school and sat in a waiting room until they were ready for us, then a boy took us to the office of the master carrying out the interview. DS went in for about 20-30mins. He had to do some maths I think, and chatted about different things - DS was interviewed by a science teacher and they had a chat about space for a bit. Afterwards, Ds was sent out to chat to the boy who had taken us, whilst I and DH went to chat to the MAster. He told us abit about how he had done i nthe exam and asked for our comments. As DS was going for 10+ he also asked us if we felt DS was ready for the big step, and we just chatted really.
Good luck!

[JohnnyT]

Many thanks Seeline -- fingers crossed! Then the fun weeks of waiting... Lucky this is my oldest DC so I have another DS and DD daughter to hopefully get this application process right. Being American I'm completely clueless about the system hear so very much appreciate the helpful advice.

[JohnnyT]

Whoops -- I meant here, not hear. Brain not working...

[NotADragonOfSoup]

I agree with Seeline's summing up of the W interview :) Mine were in a meeting room of some sort. When my DSs were interviewed, I sat outside and could talk to a parent and drink coffee/eat biscuits. Either by coincidence or design, the boys who took us to the interview were originally from DSs primary school (both times)

[burntoutdad]

Yesssss!!!!!! DS has been invited to sports assessment at W. Shaking with relief, didn't realise I was holding so much in. Cant wait to see DS face when we tell him. Now have to think about the interview and getting him not to clam up or answer any questions with 'well sort of, you know...like!'

[EastHollyDaleStreet]

OT but didn't want to start my own thread - I am just incredibly proud of my dd who has passed her prep school entrance exam - she's from a normal state primary so we are double chuffed

[noseynoonoo]

Just interested in what happens if your child does 10+ and is offered a place but you decline. Does that affect your chances of an offer at 11+ ?

[NotADragonOfSoup]

EastHolly, it is indeed a puffed-up-and-proud thing - DSs were both from state school :)

Burntoutdad - WRT the interviews, just tell your DS to relax, to be himself and be honest. Although perhaps a little less honest than DS2 as the first thing Mr Beck said to me in my part of the interview was "He's very honest about his faults isn't he?!"

They did still offer him a place though :)

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Nosey, I know several boys who didn't get a 10+ place but did get one at 11+.

[FatalFlowerGarden]

Well done burntoutdad, johnnyt and getashley - or rather well done to your dses!

[JohnnyT]

Does anyone know the numbers on 11+ at W? The number of boys taking the 11+, how many get interviews, offers versus class size? My DW is a puddle of nerves looking forward to DS's interview tomorrow and was curious about the odds of getting in.

[burntoutdad]

Thanks soup - just getting him to speak is the hard task. When he does he is generally natural and honest
I wonder what sort of percentage of those asked for sports scholarship test actually do get offered scholarships?

[NotADragonOfSoup]

To be honest, the numbers won't help much as the same boys with have sat for multiple schools and can't take up offers from all of them.

I remember trying to work out how many boys were in the sports hall after the W 11+ last year and I thought it worked out at roughly 600 sitting it.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

burntoutdad, the interviewers will be well practised at drawing out the shyer boys. Or at least they should be! DS1 was a quietly confident boy, not very forthcoming in "strange" situations , and he did fine.

[burntoutdad]

JohnnyT - ive been told that there were approx. 600 boys this year. so as a guide I would think around 200 10+ and 400 11+ (Last year 150/300) so highest yet. last year they over offered at 10+ (115 rings a bell) for 60 places taken. So perhaps similar at 11+ (say 200 or so offers for 120 places).
Figures just an educated guess but much more palatable than the 1800 sitting for 120 places at some of the grammars last year!!

[JohnnyT]

Thanks burntoutdad (very much agree with your Nickname too -- I'm just not very creative!)

[burntoutdad]

Nosey - we had friends with that dilemma. Very bright DS who would be have been expected to pass, but parents were not 100% that they wanted him to start this year. Thought about 10+ 'for practice' but then worried if he got an offer and then declined it they would look at that unfavourably as opposed to not passing and trying again. However places get turned down for a number of reasons i.e. bursary or scholarship not awarded as expected, changed circumstances etc. So I would guess that if offer declined just because the test was taken as an experience they would not be happy - but they don't have to know that

[Zato]

Hi all,

Had 11+ interview at W yesterday and seemed to go very well. I left with the impression that we will receive an offer but I may have completely misread their feedback or they are just polite to all !!!! oh well time will tell. Still not a peep from T.
Visiting W again yesterday I cannot get over the sports facilities. Think W is now our prefered choice over T.

The parent we spoke to during coffee said that some people receive phone calls, others receive letters for interviews and there is no rhyme or reason what so ever as to who gets what. Phone calls just speed up the start of the process.

This has to be the most stressful thing I have ever been through...

[hardboiled]

Sounds good Zato.
Congratulations to everyone who has had good news...Fatalflower, anything yet? Crossing my fingers for your DS...and your boyfriend!