The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

[Somelikeithott]

Hi all as I posted on previous thread, I realised we had hit the 1000 mark, do felt obliged to open a new one. Hope everyone finds this thread easily

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Can anyone tell me how they work out the scholarships?..... i'm curious as to how may are available in each year and in each category - W don't say anything about how they decide.

I don't know the details but I believe they have an amount equivalent to X full fee places (I'm sure I saw the number once but I can't remember where or what it was). This is then portioned out amongst the boys they want to offer scholarships to. I imagine they discuss each boy's performance and how much they want him to be at their school rather than a rival one.

[LoveandHope]

Hi do anyone know of good Guardianship service in the area ? Many thanks.

[LIZS]

I'm sure you could ask the school on that one. I've already seen ads in local press for an agency requesting for W and another school in Surrey. Maybe they could appeal via OW network too.

[Somelikeithott]

Good morning all, just wondering if people have decided which school to choose and why? And how much of a say your DSs are having.

It is a big decision and we want to make sure we are making the right decision, jointly with DS.

[Croydonmumtods]

somelikeithott no decision made yet but ds determined to go to W. interestingly he started off convinced T was the right school for him but now feels W is the school that will do more for him. He is very sporty so do feel W may be best option but there are obvious financial considerations. So no final decision as yet but leaning towards W and definitely including ds in decision. Have you a preference?

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Is there a big difference sportswise between T & W? Both seemed similar to me (although I know nothing about sport!)

Have you read things like the Headmaster's Newsletters? I know Trinity do one every week and they're on the website. It might give you a feel for the school.

[Seeline]

TBH there seems to be very little difference between the schools in terms of facilites, results and opportunities. For us it was the attitude, culture and ethos of the schools that swung it for us. We knew that T was the right school for DS in this respect.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Also, I don't think you'd regret either decision when choosing between T & W.

[Croydonmumtods]

Sports facilities at W are fabulous although T isn't far behind. I have read everything about both schools and know plenty of children who are at one or other. All say their school is the best! I feel T seems to work harder on attracting the parents to the school but W seems indifferent to the parents but went out of their way to make ds feel wanted. Bottom line both are great schools and will never regret final choice. For us seems likely to be W (ds's choice/ slight edge on sports/ nearer and easier to get to). Tried asking ds 'but what if all your friends go to t' answer 'I don't care I'll still see them I'm going to W!
loveandhope I have struggled to think of even one place worth visiting in Croydon and I live here! It's not that it's awful but it is simply a functional working town. Train and bus links to London Brighton gatwick all good but not recommended for a child on their own. I would ask the question how will you stop an unhappy child getting on a bus right outside school and ending up who knows where. Pastoral care and supervision would be number 1 on my checklist but i have no doubt the school will have considered all the dangers and will be able to put your mind at rest. I'm afraid I know nothing about guardianships but imagine the school must have this information.

[Zato]

Croydonmumtods having read your recent posts I'm wondering if you are my wife and we are both posting under our alias in secret :)

We have an offer at W and T but W is 99% selected. Main reasons are location (in relation to us) and DS has W as clear winner due to sports facilities. Not happy with the £3k premium over T though. Spoke to T this week and they still cannot tell me next years fees....in my view it is very poor to make you an offer that you have to commit to but cannot tell you how much it is. - Sure they would not teach this is business studies.

My other concern is that Whitgifts fees are 10% up next year on this years. Can they increase 10 % every year ? If so we are over £20k before DS leaves.
I had very little hair before this process and now I'm left looking like Homer Simpson :(

[Croydonmumtods]

Zato as my dh is similarly challenged in the hair department I too am beginning to wonder if we are in fact married! All I can say is dh's fear of putting anything in writing (I was warned - no possible means of identifying us as t and w might read it!!!) makes me pretty sure you are not him. Maybe we'll meet at w in the future.

[Somelikeithott]

Thanks all. Such a tough decision, we are finding this!

Croydonmum, like your DS ours is leaning towards W, as well. Like you as well, W made us feel like they really wanted DS and interview/ chat with us was almost like a sales speech. DS really felt at ease there. At T he really enjoyed himself as well and said the decision will be tough if he got places at both schools. There was just something about T, that made us feel warm inside. And the headmaster was brilliant!!! One scholarship is ever so slightly more than the other ( but we are trying not to make that sway things).

Zato, won't it be just interesting I'd you've found your wide on here lol!!! DH rumbled me ages ago.

Soupy, I will check the newsletters out. We know some people in both schools and the boys & DC swear by each school. I guess we are blessed to have such good opportunities open to us.

[Somelikeithott]

Zato, lots of typos in my earlier post. What I meant to write is: won't it be interesting if you've found your DW on here! Lol

[Zato]

Reminds of the film "You've got mail" !!!

[NotADragonOfSoup]

I feel T seems to work harder on attracting the parents to the school but W seems indifferent to the parents but went out of their way to make ds feel wanted.

Interesting, as my experience was the other way round!

Anyway, like I said, I think you'll be happy with whichever you choose. There is really very little between them so I think it unlikely you'd ever wish you'd chosen the other one. For us it was easy - when going through this with DS1, he got a large scholarship to T and nothing at W. Decision made!!

It's a very exciting time - good luck with your choices :)

[NotADragonOfSoup]

IIRC, DS1 preferred W - probably because of the flame throwers and exploding melons at open day. DS2 preferred W because then he would have a legitimate reason to hate DS1 I ignored both of them!

[Hecticmumof4]

Soup - thx for the scholarship info
We only went for W as we all liked it.
So, we have accepted W today :-)

Anyone had calls from W or T?

[Goldfish678mum]

Hi anyone know if the HM at T is in this week? I know the admin team are all there but wondered if the teaching staff were in seeing as its half term?

[Goldfish678mum]

Soup
I've replied to you previous PM x

[Goldfish678mum]

Hi hecticmum well done to you and your DS
We still haven't decided what to do. This is a huge decision for us so we want to make sure it's the right one. We had a call from T last Friday asking us what we thought of the offer. Unfortunately they called my husband and I hadn't even got home from work yet to open the letter so couldn't comment. Trying to get back in contact with them but I think they are away for half term. Anyone else experienced this?

[NotADragonOfSoup]

I have replied to your PM - I doubt that they are completely unavailable in half term but it may take longer to get back to you.

[suz742]

Got home to bursary letter from Foundation and figures tally, so relieved, couldn't have coped with more uncertainty. Just revised Trinity letters to go.

Funny reading the posts and choices re W or T. Ours is obviously made as only bursary offer from T. So relieved it was that way round. W has always left me a bit awestruck and the interview was quite uncomfortable. T feels vibrant,so welcoming and far less intimidating. My son at the T interview was his true self, honest, funny and probably a bit controversial and they still wanted him! In contrast at W he read prose and felt he should talk about chess club rather than his passion for football. I think feeling comfortable with a school as a parent is so important as you have to manage that relationship for many years so good luck those with tough choices ahead.

[LoveandHope]

Hi, have noted the following during my "research", and would much appreciate it if anyone can kindly share info / views -

1. The total number of W's upper 6 students taking A level AND IB exams in 2012 dropped to 110+ from 160+ in 2011. Are there any particular reasons?
   
   
2. Per internet files - there was a case back in June 2009 where 40+ W's 6th form students were (kind of) asked to leave the school, due to certain misbehaviour in school. Likely that this is a standalone incident only, but are there any particular conduct / discipline issues that we should take note of ?
   
   Thank you.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Item 2 is fuss about nothing TBH. It is traditional for the leavers to play a prank on this day. This one went slightly wrong. T do it too. It is not indicative of a problem with discipline.

DS1 swears that one year a group from T kidnapped a peacock from W and it unfortunately died in transit. I suspect this is urban myth. I do know that a good few years ago, a W group dismantled a teacher's mini and reassembled it in the main hall.

[kimalima]

I feel exactly the same as Suz, which is just as well as W didn't offer... Tee hee . Seriously T was always my first choice and I accepted the offer enroute to half term vacation on Monday. So pleased it is all sorted and no more angst.