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!

School mum - T only sets for maths, but I can't remember at what stage that happens.
Certainly teachers can be emailed for catch up work, and also are happy to meet during the day to go over stuff. Boys are encouraged to look out for each other and to collect any handouts etc for missing friends. For longer periods eg for music tours etc, boys are encouraged to operate a buddy system and actually allocate different friends for different subjects.
There are loads of clubs, sporting and musical opportunities available and boys are encouraged to take full advantage.
Most boys stay on for 6th form (assuming they meet the entrance criteria). The girls are 'extra' rather than filling empty spaces.
I have found it a very caring school. It aims to help settle the boys whilst giving them responsibility. The staff know the boys very well and very quickly. I am not aware of any feeling lost.

Hello all,

Wobblypig - have a feeling you may be a local mum (we may have chatted in the past about local preps?). Do get in touch if you do decide on T, as we have a local parents group now.

Schoolmum77 - I couldn't comment on W. We much preferred T after the open day and DS didn't sit the W exam. I would say that T has a pretty incredible choice of clubs and activities. The variety is pretty overwhelming in fact. Boys are only streamed in Maths initially based on exam results. I have a boy with an academic scholarship and expectations are high.In terms of what the school does with the scholars I haven't spoken to the teachers about this yet. At the moment I feel he has enough on his plate tbh!
In terms of music, he is currently taking part in an incredible production in central London through the T boys choir. They have been missing a few school days for rehearsals. They are encouraged to have a buddy in their class to catch up with, and the school is arranging catch up Maths sessions for all the boys.
The boys in his class are lovely. Some extremely sporty (national level) and others really musical. My only issue would be that if you are very into either due to the massive commitments, there is little time to cross over and do the other activity.
I couldn't praise the teachers enough. They are so inspiring, and he loves going to school. That's really where T excels in my opinion. The ethos.
HTH

Wimbles101 - Thank you for your input that really helps, we also liked the ethos of T another reason why we were more geared towards them. I think we have decided on T but we just didn't want to seem "mad" to turn down W's offer as their offer was very generous, but I think in the end it's where DS feels more comfortable. Do you know what the class sizes are in T compared to W?

At W it is 20-23, at T the current year 6 is 18 per class, three classes. It can go to 24 boys per class. I asked last week.

Thank you for your comments. Firefox, I heard this from 2 boys that showed us around at Whitfgift, they seemed to be aware of which sets they were in, with academic scholars all in one class, then others grouped by ability. With all the co curricular clubs on offer, do they need to sign up for the term or can they turn up when they like? I heard from a boy at Trinity that they do not need to commit and can just turn up when they like? Could I ask what the behaviour of the boys are like at both schools? I feel that both schools have their strengths and our boys are extremely lucky to be in a position to have a choice.

Meteor and Wimbledon. We have decided to go with T. I was swayed by the peacock factor with W but thankfully DH and DS less superficial than me! T has loads to offer and we are really looking forward to starting. Thanks for all the advice.

firework, I think there are 21 boys in DS1’s first form class at T.

Re: streaming, there was none in j-bugs, and only maths was streamed in first form.

schoolmum, extracurricular clubs - that’s correct, the boys do not have to commit to a whole term of a club at T. Obviously the school encourages them to give a club a good shot, but you don’t have to carry on if you’re not enjoying it.

Behaviour - I’ve not seen too much evidence of bad behaviour, but when there has been some, the school have been very quick to take appropriate action. There will always be some children at every school though who aren’t maybe as well behaved as they should be...

wobbly, I’m probably biased because I am so pleased with T thus far, but I think you’ve made the right decision

Thank you for all the feedback and advice!

We are in SW london and I'd never heard of T before this thread.. but had heard a lot about DC & W. T sounds like a nice school and the fees are definitely cheaper than the others but from what i've read It seems to be more music focussed than sport - do many DS from SW London go or do most pupils tend to be local?

Boys from all over. And certainly whilst music is very good, sports are just as valued.

Thank you Seeline and Meet, everything helps to make a decision. Also, I know there is a good mix of boys at Whitgift, of local and London day pupils. Is this the same at Trinity? I would like him to have some friends locally. We are in the Cheam area.

Just a question, is there a differentiated treatment between children who have academic scholarship and the other children, at T? And at W? Scholars are given more opportunities and called upon? Thank you for everyone who would like to share on this.

Schoolmum The boys are out into "teaching sets" in which they are taught and timetables together but this ISNT by ability (despite what the boys think/say... and for the record my DS1 thought the same until it soon became very apparent that wasn't the case). Ability Setting starts in Lower Third (Year 8) and then it is only for Maths (and languages also, I believe).

On the clubs, boys can dip in and out. DS1 tried a gazillion clubs... some just the once or twice and others that he has stuck with. It's all very much about discovery and there is no requirement to sign up for a while term or whatever.

Behaviour wise, W is no different than any school. There have been boys who have stepped out of line and been punished accordingly. I have heard of parents unhappy with how bullying has been dealt with but that has neither been my experience nor that of anyone we have known since DS1 joined in Lower 1st (Year 6)

Lea There are no real distinctions at W between scholars and non scholars other than the fact that academic scholars are required to attended the PRISM Enrichment Talks (designed to stretch the boys critical thinking) and Sports scholars are part of the Sports Mentoring Proframme (and have a dedicated Soorts Mentor). Other than that, you would never know who is who

Thanks a lot Firefox for the update on W. Is there any insight on T in terms of differentiation of academic scholar and non scholar? Thanks.

Scholars in my DD school had separate induction days. They are also expected to join all the necessary clubs expected for their scholarship...e.g orchestras if music etc. They don't go round wearing badges!However from my own perspective it places an added pressure on our DC to perform. If they don't maintain the expected standard they can lose the scholarship as they are reviewed each year. It's a massive amount of work once they move into secondary and not all can keep up with it all.

My DS has never mentioned anything specific in relation to academic scholars at T.

Thank you.

Totally agree with you Firefox1066

My DS1 has just started W in Y6. Though it's not announced that 'X' or whoever is on any kind of scholarship, the boys soon figure out who are. But what is clear, is that they are not treated differently to the ones who aren't on a scholarship.

Boys are really encouraged from day one to try and do as many co- curricular activities. This helps to engage and make new friends, introduces them to subjects they have never tried or wouldn't have dare tried in the first place. The old head master always used to emphasise that a busy boy is a successful boy. And I do believe that there is a lot of truth in that.

At W there are boys that come from quite far, but thus equally local to. This is the same for T and other indie schools. You've got to remember that the school will be taking in boys from all walks of life and that's just not locally, and not typically of what you'd expect from you local primary/prep school.

Though we were explained that they like to weed out the ones who are likely to distrupt the other boys and teacher, learning in general, they don't always get it right. But boys who don't perform, misbehave are dealt with accordingly. And not only can the scholarship be taken away for bad behaviour or poor performance, I've heard that if they really misbehaviour very badly they can withdraw your place.

What I'm trying to say is that both W, T and other indies are all very good schools academically, providing excellent eduction, activities, trips etc. Depends on your DS what they're like and if and how they would fit in that particular school is what you've got to go on.

At the end of the day, academically they're all fantastic, but no matter how good the school is, the bottom line is if your child doesn't put in the hard work which is expected, and don't behave. Then it really doesn't matter what school they go to, indie, grammar or state.

And one more thing, my DS along with a few more boys from Y6 and Y7 were invited to see the headmaster. This wasn't just because they've done well academically, but this was on everything, behaviour, but most importantly effort. What was clear from his message was that effort and behaviour are very important, and the results/grades will come if you put in the effort. As some kids who don't, because they think they're clever and don't need to put in the work become complacent and results dip. Apologies for going on!

I suspect W and T are both very good schools and pastoral. Parents I have met at both schools seem to be very happy. Is anyone considering Dulwich? We've just accepted a place there and wonder who else might be doing the same?

I only visited DC, my DS was at DC abroad, not the same school. Seeing some kids from DC and films they made.

Thank you Jige for the input and advice. A busy boy is a successful boy. I will remember that. And all the boys are clever, it is time to put effort in order to progress and make a difference. Thanks. Good advice.

But is it very rare for a boy who entered without scholarship and get one during the years? We have a scholarship at W, but my DH wants DS to go to T without scholarship. Parents from T , have you heard about that? I am taking about academic scholarship. Thanks a lot for your feedback. Again, what is the exit percentage for boys to leave after GCSE if a boy would pursue other schools for the final 2 years? Is it something that both W and T will be reticent in providing any support or recommendation letters? Love to hear your insight and advice. Thanks a lot.

I’ve never heard of a boy entering either W or T without a scholarship and then being awarded one subsequently. Boys without scholarships who do well academically will be in the running for prizes at the end of the year which have kudos but no monetary value other than a book token.