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Original poster

The Trinity-Whitgift thread of 2013 continued

860 replies

Somelikeithott · 16/02/2013 16:46

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

OP posts:
AspiringMissMarple · 28/02/2013 09:10

Zato
Love the idea of a meet up before September!

Seeline · 28/02/2013 09:15

suz - you are probably right that your DS may find hte change at T a bit of a shock. My Ds certainly has. He was at the top of his primary class, coasting along, not really having to work at all in what was a fairly relaxed set up. we had lots of chats with im to prepare him for the fact the he may not be classed as one of the 'clever' ones at T, and the as long as he did his best we would be happy. So far he seems to be better than some in some subjects but not as good in others, but seems to be coping. T are very good at supporting, encouraging and helping hte boys set realistic targets each term. The real shock has been homework, which we had very little of at primary. A couple of subjects each night, which can take a while (supposed to be about 30 mins each, but you know boys...Grin ) Sometimes after school activities can go until 5.30, so by the time he's home and eaten it can be quite late. I am sure your DS will love it. I know what you mean about not wishing to offend friends etc. I still see all DSs old class mates as DD is still at the primary and I do feel awkward about it sometimes - it's not the usual course of education at our school.

NotADragonOfSoup · 28/02/2013 10:36

Neither of my DSs seem to have struggled with going from being the brightest in the school to, in DS1's case, just above average.

With a cohort of capable boys as there is less of a gap between top and bottom so maybe any differences are less obvious. It's still a bit of a shock if they've not had anyone near their ability before though. I think they enjoy being with a group of friends who are at a similar level to them TBH.

Croydonmumtods · 28/02/2013 12:14

Have to admit I'm only pro W because that's where ds really wants to go and I'm desperately trying to convince myself that the massive fees will be worth it in the end! I really liked T and would be very happy to send ds there but he does not want to go. Very grateful to burntoutdad for his support of W (even if he is a secret agent) as he has helped keep me focused on W when I waiver. Despite positive comments re W interesting that most people are choosing T. So looks like me burntoutdad and rugrat with dtwins (very easy to figure that one out when we meet) will be holding the W flag. Are we all 10+?

burntoutdad · 28/02/2013 12:49

Missmarple - no not a PR agent. I just dont know about T at all and really just expressing my own personal feelings toward W. If i was, im not doing a very good job as most seem to have opted for T. Obviously some prefer T but W 'had me at hello!' Smile
Croydonmum - yes 10+ so only 4 boys here so far.

NotADragonOfSoup · 28/02/2013 12:53

I loved W with all my heart (Purple capes! Peacocks!) but my head knew T was the right school for DSs (particularly DS2 and I wanted both in the same place).

I am not disappointed, just as I am certain I would not have been disappointed had I chosen W instead.

nothingyummymum · 28/02/2013 14:26

The purple capes and peacocks bowled me over too! Yes, call me shallow... DS did not apply to T as distance and travel would be harder, although I have only ever heard glowing reports about it. We accepted the W offer as soon as that letter came through the door - and before they could realise their mistake. The fees will be a huge stretch, but I'm convinced it's the right decision. DS is not sporty and I'm getting quite a few surprised comments on our choice. He loves to take part, though, and I'm sure he'll find his spot in the badminton Z team.. at least he will have options, whereas in some other schools he'd probably just sit out. Not being one of the brightest in his class will be the best thing that could happen to DS - although he could well be at the bottom of they year group if his current lack of enthusiasm for SATS is anything to go by..

Original poster
Somelikeithott · 28/02/2013 19:16

Joining the 10 + W cohort. Really excited for DS. A new chapter in his life opening. Now we can plan and focus more on the future.

OP posts:
burntoutdad · 28/02/2013 21:47

Great Hott - that makes it 5 for 10+ at W!
Think we might be biggest group now.
still want to 'bring it on' Kylep.....Wink

racegirl87 · 28/02/2013 23:00

My ds is a 10+ T (FB) and we only applied there!! Hadn't heard about Whitgift til we looked up bursary info and it popped up.
Got my ds to post acceptance yesterday and told him its the last chance to change his mind. He ran at the postbox and almost disappeared with it he was so keen to put the letter through! Only had one child give him a negative response but it seems like a bit of the green eyed monster and sadness at losing his friend. We'll sort it out and ds is taking it all in his stride. Discovered Trinity news last night on YouTube - going to show ds so he can get even more (if that's possible) excited about going. Do most people on here have children at state schools?

LoveandHope · 01/03/2013 06:07

Hi ALL, please bear with me for (keep on) asking Boarding -related questions, though I understand that most of you here are for Day school only.

As we are from overseas and W's boarding is new, may I seek your very kind views / suggestions on the following -

  1. Do you think W's management has the capability to handle Boarding students ( day and weekend schedules, pastoral care etc)right in the first year ?

  2. Has anyone of you heard anything about the boarding offer / acceptance status ?

  3. What is the reputation of W with regards to its intended Boarding facilites ?

Many thanks.

TCofB · 01/03/2013 07:00

OK lurker outed...
we are W 10+ (SpS) so that makes 6...
thanks to all you posters by the way, this thread has been captivating and supportive.

NotADragonOfSoup · 01/03/2013 07:10

Loveandhope I think the problem is that no one knows about the boarding for sure yet. In all honesty, I can not for one moment imagine that W will not do a superb job of it. They have a fantastic reputation as a day school and I really can't see them making a mess of the boarding facility.

In the past, have they had a very small number of overseas boarders already? I have a vague memory of hearing something like this but I may not be right.

NotADragonOfSoup · 01/03/2013 07:12

I would have no qualms about letting my DSs board there - although I am only 5 minutes away (and, obviously, they go to Trinity!)

AspiringMissMarple · 01/03/2013 07:19

BurnoutDad - W should pay you for your amazing contribution to this thread!!! You have demonstrated a great display of resilience and fantastic sense of humour. We should have Mumsnet Awards!!

LoveAndHope - Didn't you say previously that someone poached from Harrow is handling boarders? The architecture looks impressive from the outside and the facilities were mentioned during our W interview. We have opted for T though so can't help.

AspiringMissMarple · 01/03/2013 07:20

RaceGirl87 -
Is that the video you mean?
I am soooooo excited!!

basildonbond · 01/03/2013 08:42

Re boarding at W - the boarding house master was at Harrow and is very impressive

Even though the school has a 'boyish' reputation, the pastoral care at the school is excellent - it has a very high teacher:pupil ratio so that the teachers get to know the boys extremely well. It also has a large, well-funded learning support department so that any undiagnosed difficulties can be supported. If we had the money (it's not cheap) and didn't live a few minutes train ride away, ds would be boarding as soon as the boarding house opens its doors ...

Not..soup is right in that they have always had a small number of overseas boarders so they're not complete beginners - W are throwing money at this project and will not let it fail.

racegirl87 · 01/03/2013 08:52

AspiringMM that's one of them. If you go to the pupils page and look at trinity news, the last two are on there. Some great footage. Trying to limit myself to 20 mins a day reading the vast amount of information they have on the website as a I keep getting distracted!!
This summer is really going to drag!!

Kylep · 01/03/2013 09:27

Burnt-- we will battle in sept , Racegirl my ds is from private sector and we know 4 others from his school going to T, 2 have opted for w so that makes it 8 burnt

Croydonmumtods · 01/03/2013 09:34

Just dropped acceptance letter to W. peacocks were shrieking boys all on their way in to school all well behaved. Not a moments doubt or hesitation - we have made the right choice.
loveandhope like everyone has says I have little doubt that the boarding side of W will be very well run and really don't think you need to worry on that score. I would happily send my son to board there but like the others live within walking distance.
TCofB welcome to the W 10+ group. Don't know how you've resisted adding to this thread until now.

Croydonmumtods · 01/03/2013 09:38

kylep possible some of the boys mentioned already have parents posting on this thread!!! I'm sure you send previously you were from state school???

Croydonmumtods · 01/03/2013 09:39

Sorry I meant said not send

iluvmyboys · 01/03/2013 09:46

Hi all.

I had started a new thread on my concern over Whitgift, but Fatalflower pointed me to this one, to get more answers.

Has anyone had this concern on W that has left theirs sons quite dejected at not being recognised as one of their top sportsmen/ academic? Is too much importance given only to the top tier? How do rest of the boys fare - do they get a good deal out of W?

DH thinks that KGS is more suited to DS, as it is a small setting and feels there will more attention going to DS. Also DS is not a huge rugby fan - he plays but is in the lower sets. I want him to feel encouraged in sports too with cricket/ hockey and various others too.

DS I think has his heart set on W, and to some extent me too, but I want it to be the right choice for him. I know you all have done a lot of research and many have personal experience too. Any help much appreciated.

Thanks !

Croydonmumtods · 01/03/2013 10:06

iluvmyboys welcome to the thread. I know quite a lot of boys already at W all of varying abilities and no one has a bad word to say about the place. All the boys are encouraged to do the best they can in everything be it sport drama academics etc. at 10/11 very difficult to know how the boys will develop and mature particularly in sport. So a boy who's outstanding now in sport may not be in a few years time. The teachers are looking for potential in every single team and not just at the top tier. I know boys who have started on the D team to end up on the A's. The same seems to apply academically as well. I think the only boys who may struggle are boys who simply don't want to bother and even at that the school will do all they can to change their attitude and not just give up on them. I would have to say the exact same applies to T as well.

FatalFlowerGarden · 01/03/2013 12:25

iluv - at interview I made some remark about ds being an enthusiastic participant in sports rather than an A-team captain. The response was 'you never know, he could end up with a passion for fencing!' (to which I must admit I thought, yessss, you wouldn't think that if you'd seen him have a go on the Open Day Grin)

But the point is, there is so much opportunity there for them to discover a talent they never knew they had, be it in rugby, pingpong, golf, debating or acting! There are almost a thousand boys in the school, they can't all be captain of the First XI...

W does like to celebrate its sportsmen. But there's a lot more to the school than that, IMO. I don't think it's something to worry about.

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