Trinity/Whitgift 2019 thread

[enterparentone]

Is there a thread yet for parents with kids doing entrance exams in Jan? It's been so helpful looking through previous years threads and now we're going through it I'd love a hand-hold and any advice on what to expect!

This thread brings back memories! I was the thread starter last year for DS2 and DS1 was a couple of years ago.

DS1 got offers from both W & T , we chose W. DS2 got into W last year. Both were awarded sports and academic scholarships.

If anyone has any questions then fire away...

Oh and both boys got in at 10+, so I know that process well.

Great @Firefox1066
Well done to you and your boys.
As both your boys got academic scholarship at T, when were their interviews. Was it straight after the exams? There are still some folks like me waiting to hear on interview dates and we are wondering as it has been two weeks since the exam maybe the DS didn't do well enough for an academic scholarship! Are we correct in assuming so?

Motheroftw0.... There was a lot of conjecture about the relationship between when and who DS’s are seen by and whether scholarships are awarded. My experience has been that there was no real pattern of rhyme or reason.

Essentially, there were people whose DS’s were interviewed a good few weeks after the exam and were given scholarships and others who were seen sooner and weren’t. Moreover, on cross checking with a couple of people at the time, there was no discernible relationship between the day of interview and awarding of scholarships.

I remember very very very well how stressful it is at this time for you all (which is why I wanted to see if I could help answer any questions) but O do want to debunk a few myths about the process which might help a little, I hope.

Following this because we are thinking for 10 plus next year !
Just a few questions which are more about exam prep than anything at this stage for me !

1. when did you all start exam prep for the exam ? And is a tutor really necessary?
2. firefox - do you think the school day in junior form is too long for a 10 plus year old . The commute would be 30-40 mins by car each way . How much homework do they have per night . ?
3. has the stress all been worth it ? !

Thanks for any input !

Thanks @Firefox1066, that's a relief. Very pleased to have people who understand how stressful this could be. I love this forum just for that reason.
Sorry another question @Firefox1066,
Anybody who's had a Saturday interview been awarded an academic scholarship?
T has this weekday interviews where they meet individually with the parents too discuss their scores and sorts. And a Saturday interviews where only children have 1-1 and parents are in an open forum! This should mean something right?

Motheroftw0 I think that Firefox1066 clarified the point that I tried to make (obviously v. badly) with regard to when and by whom your DS has his interview.
Some interviewers can be a bit cheeky and ask your DS where else they have applied to. If they know you've applied to grammars, does that have any bearing on the amount of scholarship discount they are prepared to give?

Hello jasmine372 we might be doing the 10plus as well next year. DS1 is already at the school.
I'd check the past paper that's on their website - if you think he's capable of that on his own without prep, maybe just work him yourself? Some get tutored others don't. I'm probably going to see how he finds it in the summer and take it from there.
The school day is 8.30 to 3.45 and is manageable, depending on what the commute is like at either end. I think boys going into year 6 always find it a bigger jump initially then going into year 7 but they soon get used to it. HTH

Whilst in the past there have been academic scholarships offered after a Saturday T interview, I do believe this is the exception rather than the rule. But I guess a boy can always completely wow whoever is interviewing them!

Equally, a midweek interview is no guarantee of any kind of scholarship offer - a friend's DS was not even offered a place following his midweek interview a couple of years ago. Make of that what you will!

However, last year DS2 had a midweek interview with the director of admissions, whilst we saw the headmaster. We were told exactly how well he'd done (very well!) and he was awarded a scholarship.

I think that if you have a midweek interview and that an academic scholarship is on the cards, then that will be probably be made pretty obvious during the interview.

But at the end of the day everything is just speculation at this point. You never know until the letters arrive.

DS2 started in the junior year in September this year.

He loves the school, and is really happy there. They take really good care of all the j-bugs, and I can honestly say it was the best decision we made to remove both DSs from their primary at the end of Y5 and start them at T in the junior year. We have a 25-30mjn car journey, and it doesn't seem too much for DS2, but each child is different.

Turboturtle, when DS2 was offered his scholarship, they knew that we already had DS1 at the school and that we hadn't applied to anywhere else.

We were pretty much 100% going to send DS2 to T if any kind offer was made, and they knew it. So I would say that having only applied to grammars and not any other indies shouldn't affect whether or not you are awarded a scholarship - it should be purely on academic/sporting/music etc merit.

But again, who knows!

But again, who knows!

I suspect only the admissions team know! I do think too much gets read into weekday/weekend/applied elsewhere/colour of the headmaster's tie.

Well, yes, of course, but the endless speculation at least helps to fill the time between exams and results letter day, and give everyone something to talk about.

Where would the fun be without it?!

thanks for your reply. have checked the sample paper and its not far off what he could achieve I think so will see. I don't want to rush into any tutoring if I can help it !

Hello all! Has anyone had a call for the Whitgift sports assessment yet or know how they work? Do they get you through the interview stage first? DS has an interview on Friday (which I'm way more nervous about than him!) but no news on sports which are scheduled for next week.
Thanks!

but the endless speculation at least helps to fill the time between exams and results letter day, and give everyone something to talk about.

Then it moves on to size of envelope 😂

WRT the headmaster's tie, I have it on good authority that if the T head wears his poo emoji tie, your DSs is a sure thing for a full scholarship... true fact.

Hello Morherofpirates
We received a letter today from Whitgift for the 10+ Sport Scholarship. Apparently they were sent out yesterday. My son hasn’t been selected for that one but he did go to the Trinity sport assessment today. Don’t think I can cope with much more of this anyway. We have interviews at both schools on Sat am. Good luck!

Great news here - Called for interview at W which ds is thrilled about. Nothing on sports scholarship day which he has to do for beep test etc, notwithstanding he is endorsed on his particular sport from the open trials. Subject of course to approval by Head.

Thanks Nonie and good luck to your DS. Pick is your son doing 11+?

Good luck with interview Pirate - yes 11+

Pickofthepops great news! We love W , my two older boys are W boys. Eldest is at Uni at 11yr old is in yr 7. Good luck. These threads reminds me of this trauma! I have been through it three times so far 2 DS and 1DD..... only 1 DS to go but he has a few years to go!

As I’ve said before, based on my own experience with DS1 (W & T) and DS2 (W only) there appeared to be no correlation between when people were interviewed and to whether they were in the running for a scholarship or not.

For those whose DS’s have been called for Sports Assessment at W, it means that he comfortably passed the exam. Although not a shoe -in by any means, it is rare for you to not receive at least a full fees offer (unless there is something behaviourally that alarms them).

The assessment day starts with a very inspirational marketing video, aimed (imho) at the parents as much as the child!

The assessment itself last year (10+) consisted of bleep tests, agility tests etc in the morning. Then football, rugby, cricket and hockey in the afternoon. Those who are being assessed on more niche sports (e.g golf, fencing, basketball) will have individual assessments during lunch for 30 mins or so. Swimmers, I believe, are seen earlier in the morning.

The boys come back very tired but having enjoyed their day.

Hello, can I ask if anyone has received any information on the Whitgift Sports Assessment day ? My son has been invited back for an interview on Monday but no information on the Sports Assessments which I believe are scheduled for next week too ? Do all boys that have applied go to the Sports assessment day or do they do a pre-selection based on the application forms ? Thanks all !

Letter this morning from W for sports assessment Monday (letter dated 15/01)...

Ah thank you ! Am at work so we might have something waiting at home !