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!

He could always sit W 13+ as well as working towards CE at a prep school if you want to keep options open, although you'd still face a similar dilemma mid way through y8. Senior Schools intaking at 10/11+ are not interested in teaching a CE curriculum.

As stated by PP, it will be VERY frowned upon at W. If it were me in your position, I would put your DS in a prep (like Cumnor) for years 6,7 and 8. That way you can apply to both CE and those schools (like W) who set their own 13+ papers

*Sorry that should say in a prep for years 7 and 8

Thank you everyone, some very helpful comments, appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts. We will definitely think long and hard before accepting the place at W.

what to choose if you got accepted by both W and T? My DSis offered an academic scholarship at W, I feel the school too big, do not know if he will get lost. Please advise. thanks.

sugar, seeline, dragon and mums who had to make a choice between whitgift (scholarship) and trinity.

My DS has an offer from Trinity and an offer with academic scholarship from Whitgift for 10+ . He is very bright, playful, sensitive and very creative in every sense. He creates music, computer games and animation, he loves drawing. He is very good at maths and passionate about science and astronomy. he does fencing epee. But he is naive, pure, and not very well organized with his things and time. Maybe a bit less mature in some aspects. He is very receptive to gentle teachers. I find W is sooo big, though the information about fencing schedule and extra-curriculum activities including choir and music is very well documented sent to me by the admission secretary, very responsive and professional. My interaction with T admission is also very pleasant. I checked on Trinity website, nothing. I have two questions, do you think the information communication at T is very good, teachers are gentle and nice and are willing to go extra miles? Are there a lot of less experienced teachers dealing with the first years such as Year 6,7,8? Can the school really create new clubs to fulfill special interest of pupils? my son is passionate about space and astronomy. Do you think as a 10 years old, he can feel easily lost at W? How about Whitgift in terms of caring teachers? We are looking at an academically challenging and as well caring school. Please give me some input. We need to give reply to T next Thursday. Many thanks. We are currently abroad Year 5, think it is better to get him to a senior school directly instead of going through a prep school again and prepare for 13+. Our prep offers are Cumnor House and Fulham Prep. is senior school track a better option then the prep school track, if yes, W or T? My husband plans to visit T next Wednesday, we have not yet visited T. Sorry for the long message. Many thanks.

hi Yanjian, can’t conpare to W as didn’t apply, but I can say that my DS who joined T at 10+ has really interesting teachers who seem really good at teaching subjects in ways that appeal to boys, in a much more active and engaging learning environment than my older son experienced (at Wilson’s, a local grammar school). The T website isn’t great but the parent page of the Firefly system allows you to keep on top of their homework easily, and sports and music practices are well communicated, plus teachers are really quick to get back to you when you email. There are so many extra-curricular clubs it’s sometimes difficult to choose between them, and they are genuinely encouraged to give new sports and activities a go, with great support for those new to activities as well as the more serious contenders. Staff seem to know my DS well, judging from parents’ evening, and he is blossoming with a really nice set of friends. Hope this is useful - good luck with your decision.

yanjian just a quick one - do you need to let T know by this coming Thursday if you will accept their offer? This seems very early! We are overseas so no way we can accept so quickly! Also, re choosing, I would trust your gut, I think that is more important than details with two schools that are fairly alike academically!

Yanjan. Whitgift is the top epee school in the country (even better than Millfield).

W is a big school but it is challenging and very inclusive. I have had no issues with it at all and Inhave found the teachers to be caring. In addition my DS2 has just been offered a scholarship and will join in Sept (DS1 is already in Year 8)

Happy to give more details on PM

I think W Y6 is 3 classes then 8 classes for Y7 when the 11+ intake joins

Is Trinity slightly smaller?

W could be better on behaviour / bullying but I'm not sure how things are at T

@gettingthrough,Thank you Getting for your detailed explanation, thank you origina, firefox and aveldon for your input. @aveE, W year 6 : 60 boys, Year 7 : 120 new boys plus 60, total 180 boys in Year 7, it feeld overwhelming. Trinity year 6 is 45 boys, Year 7 new comer 70 boys, total Year 7 115 boys.

@Oringina, you are also from abroad, you are going to tell the school that you can not accept the offer so early because you have more elements to consider?
@firefox, I will PM you. Many thanks.

DS started T in the junior form. I think it was a great introduction to secondary education as the boys are carefully observed and managed which really gives them an advantage come the first form. I don't think any of the boys get lost. The opportunities, especially in music, are amazing. Boys are really encouraged to try new activities and join clubs. Yes, new clubs are started at boys' requests - I remember a few years ago a landscape gardening club was started on this basis.
As pp has said most information for parents is obtained via the Firefly pages of the website which are password protected. Information is easily accessible on curriculum as well as forthcoming trips and events. I have always found the vast majority of teachers easy to approach, and responses to emails etc prompt. Form tutor s have also been approachable and helpful.

Although we will see T and D.C. again next week, I wonder if any seasoned T parents could advise on whether rugby or football are compulsory from year 9 onwards? I know that D.C. offers ‘options’ in games, which should mean my DS could chose a sport with less of a team aspect (and less mud, which he’s not really keen on!) if he goes there, but less clear on the expectations at T.
Also, journey time for us is a lot less/simpler for D.C. Am wondering how much weight we should give this?
I really feel they are quite different schools and we do like the more laid back/personalised approach at T. But wondering if, in reality the schools may be more similar than they appear?
We’re very keen to make this decision soon and commit to 1 school as well as release 1 place for someone else, but I now feel paralysed by overthinking!!

Thank you seeline. it is very helpful.

to parents of W and T, one little question, at W and T, at Junior Form Year 6, PE and Games take how many lessons per week? in the prep schools, it is usually 2-3 afternoons per week. Thanks a lot.

lea8, in the junior year at T they have 2 games and 1 PE lesson a week.

In the first form they have 1 games and 1 PE lesson a week.

(All double lessons)

soup, re scholarship, the head of admissions is the right person to talk to? Does T has GCSE computer science? Thanks a lot.

Hi Meettie, Thanks a lot.

Does T has GCSE computer science and at A-level? I did not find it on their hands out about the exam results of GCSE and A-level.Do you know about it?

Thanks.

Meetie I hope you don’t mind me asking you but do you know about games options or is it compulsorily whatever is down as appropriate for the particular term? Thank you - any info most appreciated

Computer Science GCSE, but not A level at the moment.
Re sports - they definitely had choice in the 4th form, I can't remember for the 3rd form. Perhaps someone with younger DS can help.

Thanks Seeline

No choices so far for games (DS1 in 1st form at the moment).

So it’s the usual hockey & rugby in the winter, and cricket in the summer in games lessons.

PE they do lots of different sports, in 4-week rotations: swimming, water polo, athletics, gymnastics, handball, volleyball, that kind of thing.

Appreciate very much for your answers. Seeline: Why no computer science at A-Level? Do you think it could change by adding on in 5 years time? W has computing at A-level. Seeline, meetie: does Trinity have épée squad and coach? Thanks a lot.

I'm sure there's a fencing club at T. I don't know any more than that about it, though.

Computing science a level - you'd be better off asking the school about it, I think.

emma303 any news on W waiting list for your DS? Fingers crossed for you