So where's this years Trinity/Whitgift/Dulwich/Alleyns thread

[soooooooknowwhat]

And any other schools you may wish to add... Have used threads from the previous few years as part of my research and ds sat Trinity today! I'm more of a lurker than a thread starter but decided to bite the bullet and offer a hand to hold. Good luck to all dc's sitting exams over the next few weeks!

Thanks sandybayley. It's a slim chance but hopefully it works out!
Also soupdragon I think you're right, it's definitely worth mentioning to the non scholarship offer school about deciding between them. I'm also in a similar position and it's always worth mentioning. It would sway it for me.

Thanks all, I wasn't going to mention the scholarship offer to the non scholarship school but may do so. I realise this is will make little difference to them.

Does anyone have any experience where it has made a difference?

Yes, me.

Soup would you mind sharing how it made a difference? Please feel free to pm me if you prefer.

DS had a scholarship offer from W, full fees from T. He is at T on a scholarship (albeit a small one)

Dear all,
My DS has got a place in T but no scholarship!!! We were really hoping to get at least in one of the areas we had applied for, gutted that the offer came will full fees. I am really pleased to receive the offer but have some questions on my mind. We thought of giving 10+ a shot and would take it incase of scholarship. Alternatively thought would try again next year while simultaneously trying for grammar schools. But now nervous to decline this offer. Grateful if someone can help with the questions!!!!!

• do they get an opportunity to sit for a scholarship exam every year after joining the school, I have a strong feeling that the exam day turned out to be a bad day for my DS as he is academically very strong. I am hoping he would get a scholarship if he takes another exam say next year after entering the junior form,if that is the only option.. so the question is are scholarships only offered at the kids entry point?
• does turning down a 10 + offer affect his chance for 11+ entry?
• is there a possibility to speak to the admissions team about his entrance test performance?

Sorry about the lengthy post, I am nervous on turning down the offer in case he doesn't get into s grammar school for his 11 plus Thanks in advance

@schoolquest - I’m assuming that T’s policy on scholarships is the same as W - if so, then no, if he joins at 10+ he won’t be eligible for a scholarship later on in his school career. Yes you can ask for feedback on his performance this time round and no, it shouldn’t affect his chances at 11+ if you turn this place down, however I would have thought that the competition for scholarships will be tougher in a year’s time, not easier.

Bear in mind too that most scholarships aren’t that big - 5 or 10% is standard so if the fees aren’t affordable after that small a reduction, are you going to be able to sustain that level of expenditure for the next 8 years? Especially as school fees usually go up each year by quite a bit more than inflation. T is a good school but no school is worth getting into financial straits for

Many thanks for your response, really appreciate it. Mmmm I would expect him to approach these exams in a more trained way next year further to the 11 plus preparation.

school, noits is correct - once you've accepted a full fees offer at T, thats it - you pay full fees throughout.

I know plenty of children who have turned down a full fees 10+ Offer at W or T and then got offers at 11+.

However, I do know one boy who got a small scholarship for T at 10+, but was only waitlisted at 11+, so it is a risk. Generally the 11+ has more candidates per place, I think.

W & T scholarships can be as high as 40-50%, but you've got to be exceptionally talented at music, sport or academically to be awarded at that level.

Thanks for the confirmation. In a way it ain't fair to decide just based on one performance and not giving them a chance throughout their school time!!! Well if that is their policy we can't do anything to change that unfortunately :(

I think to get a 50% scholarship at T you need to be in the top 3 or 4, perhaps top 5 academically. Not sure sbout music etc.

Don’t forget other children have a 12 months more to prepare and all develop at different rates. He might fly or he might only make the wait lists. Its a tough call.

Sure it is!!!! If only there is a way to foresee future!!!
Yeah of course, all kids would be more prepared for the 11 plus entry!!!

Some schools (dont know about T) will offer scolarships at 6th form if warranted
(Ie they want to keep your child)

Bursaries are at least applied for annually.

AnotherNewt - I believe Alleyns ratios are similar to Dulwich. Headmaster in Dulwich said - 500 sat for tests; 150 chosen for an interview - we have 75 places and we offer 100 (meaning cover ratio of 1.33). If that's true ( I think they offer more than 100, SPS cover ratio is around 1.3) then I believe there are another 20-25 on WL in Dulwich. Use the same % to Alleyns numbers and you probably have a good estimate

Hi SchoolQuest, we are in the same position as you, but at W. Just called the school and was told that the scholarship for DS can possible be reviewed after 2 year of being at school by HT. Good luck

Oh that's great news, MumofLL.
In Trinity that's only possible if the child does exceptionally well and no specific scholarship tests and that happens only during point of entry it seems!!

We were told that DS2’s scholarship at T could be reviewed. We didn’t pursue it in case they also reviewed DS1’s and removed it due to lack of effort!

Is it also possible that a scholarship can be lost? For example, grades are not maintained?

It is at T, yes.

Hi SiupDragon,
Reviewing scholarship at T, was that at entry point 10 plus or during the years of study at T?

It was awarded at 11+

I’m sure it is made clear that scholarships are dependent on appropriate progress and can be taken away.

Ah I was just curious.... We have a full fees offer 😬

Soup dragon, so no scholarship at 10 plus but then reviewed and given one at 11 plus is it?

@schoolquest I think it would be really unusual for a school not to give a child a scholarship at 10+ but then decide to award one at 11+. For starters, if they’ve already got you there on a full-fees basis there’s not much incentive to encourage you to take the place as you’re already a paying customer, plus the competition at 11+ is tougher than at 10+

Technically scholarships can be rescinded if grades or behaviour deteriorate but in practice that didn’t happen to any of the boys who had scholarships in ds’s year and I think would be pretty rare. Equally there were several boys who represented the school in A teams or received multiple academic prizes who were never given a scholarship during their whole school career

noitsnotteatimeyet
It makes sense when you put it that way.. no need to persuade a paying customer.. the way I was seeing was to encourage a well performing child.. again it is all business at the end of day isn't it! I think I may reject full fees place and fingers crossed that my rejection wouldn't restrain my ds's entry at 11+ Provided he does well enough in the entrance