So where's this years Trinity/Whitgift/Dulwich/Alleyns Thread PART 2!!

[Firefox1066]

The other thread reached the 1000 post limit so I've started this as a follow on

[user1475317873]

Firefox: "You will know deep down where you picture your DS thriving... Go for it!"

Completely agree with this quote.

Also, do go with your gut feeling. Felt the same way about Alleyns when I visited and didn't apply for that reason. I know it is a fantastic school but not for my child or my family

[Jige]

Schoolmum77 glad you had a chance to visit both W & T again. Makes all the difference in making that all important decision. It's funny how you view schools from the initial open day visit compared to when you receive the offers. It's at this point you really start to think of all the different questions which are now relevant and you look at the schools in a very different way.

We were in the same position as you, we liked both W & T went with DS after offers for another visit. For us we wanted to know more about the Senco department and pastoral care. That made a hugh difference, but even after all that we chose W, it was always W for our DS, and we always knew that.

If your DS is undecided and likes both, then I would go on everything else, class period lengths are slightly different - at W each period is 45mins each, at T I think they're 30mins each but somebody at T may be able to confirm this.

The whole logistics, distance, is one much more closer to home? Reason being is when you factor in after school activities and then getting home the shorter the distance the better. Though at W many come from far a field but come GCSE time, time does matter. Boys who are on sports scholarships have to play away games, extra training on top of homework it's quite hard to keep up.

I think in your heart you probably have a preference, and I hope that it's the same as your DS. Both are excellent schools but I know it's not easy making that choice. I do feel for you and many others in your position. All the best!

[Firefox1066]

How are we all getting on? Acceptances signed and returned? Or was anyone waiting to hear from the LB of Sutton, Bromley or Kingston grammars?

[Snowstorm18]

Hi I’m posting for the first time here but have been following the thread for the last few months and found the info very useful - thank you very much! We accepted a scholarship offer from W. We live in the catchment for outstanding (and very sought after) state secondary so many people would think we are really mad for choosing a fee paying option, however, we know what is right/best for DS. W ticks every box and they will get the best out of him. We know we’ve made the right choice - just hope DS will keep up. He hasn’t done any work since the exam!!!

[spacecadet48]

It was always W for us and signed and accepted on receipt of the offer!

[Schoolmum77]

We are very much undecided between Trinity and Whitgift despite visiting both schools post offers. We have had both head of admissions show us around and left each feeling even more confused, both have their strengths. I know that we are extremely fortunate to be deciding between two offers with scholarship discounts, this does make a difference for us as one is worth much more than the other, in an ideal world, this shouldn't affect our school choice but it must. I feel that Trinity are more academically driven, more nurturing because they can manage a smaller group of boys better. I feel that Whitgift will be better at developing an all rounded individual, but worried he might just be a number in a year of 180 boys! This is the most difficult decision, thank you all for your hand holding throughout this process.

[Tolacar]

We have now declined two schools and almost there with the decision between the final two! Suddenly things are becoming clearer and as many of you have said, the gut feeling seems to be the leader. I do think you can overthink things when you're deciding between two....

[Seeline]

School mum I think T manage very well in producing well rounded young men. They are encouraged to try lots of activities apart from their academic studies. They can also do DofE and/or CCF. Field days in the upper school are spent in the community either undertaking work in primary schools, old people's homes, or outdoor conservation work etc.

[Jige]

Snowstorm18 welcome to the thread! Won't be disappointed with W, it's nice when you finally make that decision. We are also got an outstanding school on our doorstep put choice indie as well. I think my mum friends must have thought I was out of my mind. But like yourself thought in the long run better for my DS, and so far very pleased.

spacecadet48 pleased for you and your DS yay!!!

[Tolacar]

Good luck for those making final decisions this weekend! And good luck for those on waiting lists...fingers crossed you get the places you want.

[sooooooonowwhat]

Tolacar did you make a decision? We thought we had but now aaaargh again. ds says he'd prefer co-ed but I kind of love Dulwich, just the feel of the place. We are trying to choose between Alleyn's and DC now, what did you decide on in the end? Good luck to those on waiting lists, I really had thought we would have had it figured out by now but it has been a real struggle!

[user1475317873]

Place accepted at St Dustans. Hope daughter will be happy and thrive there. It is the school she wants to go to.

[user1475317873]

Sooowhat, I think you are over thinking it. Too much choice. If you son prefers coed just go for it. They are bot great schols so go for what he wants. It is he who will be there every day.

[Tolacar]

sooooooonowwhat yes we have (well 99%) but felt a bit of a wobble today!

[Soooooooonowwhat]

Hi user yes agree, we are definitely overthinking it all and have got ourselves in a tizz! The problem is ds really isn't sure either. He really wants co-ed but has never had a real gut feel for Alleyn's - it was always a back up for him. Now that we are in the position to choose it's a case of going for a school he likes in most ways but is not so great on art (ds has an art scholarship at Alleyn's) and is boys, or a school he just isn't getting the right vibe for. It's tricky as I'm not sure how to direct him as I kind of feel the same way!

[Threesmarties]

Soooooooonowwhat - have you decided yet? You sound to be choosing between a co-ed school which you are not feeling will be the best fit for your son and an all boys school which you feel will be a more caring environment for your ds.

We were in the same position a couple of years ago (different schools and dd not ds but essentially the same problem) and went with our hearts and where we thought our dd would be best looked after. We haven’t regretted it at all and she has really flourished. Gut feel really does work.

If you are worried about the art at DC, then don’t be. Although Alleyn’s has the reputation, the art at Dulwich is amazing too. Lots of boys get A stars at GCSE and A level, there are “shows” of their work which the boys love and a DC alumnus is a Turner Prize winner so they must be doing something right and encouraging the boys in the right direction.

[Jige]

Snoooooooowwhat and Tolacar have you guys come to a decision?

Anyone else out there made any final decisions? 😬

[JasmineJasmine]

Please....give me some idea for this last minute!

The commuting to the school (T) is average 1 hour each way by trains (with 2 changes). Mostly less than 1 hour. He still wants to go and continue his swimming training after school (about 1hr 40 minutes training, 2hr 20minutes if travel includes) for 3-4 times a week. Do you think he can keep up his academic level, homework? Or do you think something will be getting behind?

A lot of pupils around me, having 1 hr commute, if they do these after school activities, look difficult to catch up school works and they started stopping swimming(or any sports). If he wants to continue these activities, 1 hr commute school is not suitable? Please advise!! The deadline is today to answer.....I'm panicking....

[noitsnotteatimeyet]

@JasmineJasmine - He will be exhausted after that commute and I can’t see how he could keep up that level of training - plus training requirements will increase as he gets older, my son was training 6 times a week by Y9. An hour’s commute with two changes is not feasible long term imo no matter how good the school

[JasmineJasmine]

noitsnotteatimeyet

Thank you for your comment. As you mentioned, I need to be realistic, don't I? Recently, my son's swimming is still improving and he said he still want to pursue his limit, while other kids started losing interest and quitting... Looking at him, I really want to support what he wants to achieve. Previously I asked here about City vs. Trinity and my mind was with Trinity.... but this last minute, I need to change it to City, perhaps. It's only 30 minute commute straight, no change, he can do homework and go to swimming. This may be the best.

Just financially, we feel very heavy responsibility....huge burden.

[Snowstorm18]

T have a strong swimming team though...

[Seeline]

T does have a strong swimming team - and water polo.
Realistically, he is probably looking at 1.5-2hrs homework a night. It does seem a lot to fit in.
Is that really the most direct route travel-wise?
could he go straight to training from school to save some time?

[Firefox1066]

Jasmine Unless there is a huge fee differential (I.e yoynhave scholarship) then I'd go for City. That commute to T sounds brutal.

[MeetieVonWrinkleSqueak]

The having to change trains twice would be a killer for me. There would be just too much potential for missed connections and cancellations, meaning that the journey took even longer.

[Tolacar]

Just dropped off the forms to Hampton! Hurrah! And let's hope KCS don't ring me.....😩