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!

Hi our DS had an interview with mr. Yeo at W he was totally impressed with him and even had a chat with my DH asking him to get in touch if needed .. at T it was a sayurday interview.. so don’t know what to make out

Walking .. I think I feel the same way! W liked DS with the academic ability and potential yet T have asked him back for sports assessment. It's soo hard to tell in if we will get any offers at all. The smiles and thank yous are very deceptive.

W shared exam results but only on the subject that DS didn't do as well. I did ask for the other 2 areas but simply got 'he did well' without revealing the actual numbers/percentage. I didn't want to sound too pushy and didn't pursue further. Our interview was this morning with Mr Beck at W.

It's going to seem like a long wait. Mr B really does his utmost to make it a pleasant experience doesn't he. Such a great representative of the school.

I think Mr Beck interview both my DSs when we were doing this. He was lovely!

We also had Mr B and he was very good. He didn't give us any hints though.

If DS doesn't get an offer, having been to the school now 4 times (assessment/interview/sports day/recall) I think it will be pretty hard for him. But I guess it does happen...

MWMummy how was the recall ? We are there tomorrow for the sports recall. Was it busy or slightly smaller?

Just jumping in to share info. My son had his Whitgift interview Jan. 18 for 11+ entry. It went really well and we were told to expect an offer based on his exam, school reports and interview. May end up at a Sutton grammar though much as we love the school. We didn't apply to Trinity.

chandellina, thanks for kind update - always helpful. what were you asked in W interview?

Are all of the interviews completed now?

16 days to go now - not that I'm counting...

Can anyone help / shed light on hidden costs at both W and T.

What exactly does the fees cover? Books, and trips (some extra curricular ones probably not), after school clubs?

The obvious ones that are extra I'm assuming would be, uniform, lunch, travel. Do you have to buy uniform grim the schools or is it grey trousers can be from anywhere but logo blazers are a must. A friend of mine told me how she spent over £500, when her DS started and realised she could have purchased some non logo items elsewhere but the school insisted on purchasing from their shop.

Am I missing anything? Having to wait and look at all the options (particularly if no scholarship is offered) so that we can re-adjust non essential spending.

#confusedandanxious

Non-logoed Trinity uniform (trousers, shirts) can be bought from anywhere. I think DS said they can have non-logo base layers for sport - he's certainly had them and played for the A's with no repercussions anyway! For some reason I think the logo school jumper isn't a Must Have either.

One thing that surprised me was paying for GCSE/A level entries. I had assumed that would be included in the fees.

Musical instrument tuition is extra, although T do have a scheme where boys who have not played an instrument before can have a free term of group lessons. They can hire instruments.

Not all trips are included. I think the "field day" trips are but there are some extra ones that aren't - a trip to the WW1 battlefields is one that springs to mind as being extra.

All the clubs my DSs did were included - mainly sport. There were some fees involved in the sub-aqua one but that was membership of the British Sub Aqua club I think. I remember DS1 going to the religious society club purely because they had free food 😂

You can buy white shirts, grey sweaters and grey or black trousers anywhere. The biggest expense is the sports uniform. The test of it is quite cheap.

*The rest

All school text box and exec is books are included. You will be charged for lost text books though.

I agree - the sports uniform is the only expensive bit. I was surprised how cheap the rest was really.

The second hand uniform sales are well worth a visit.

Thank you all for the feedback. I feel rest assured somewhat now. I bulk buy my DS school uniform from MS esp when they have 20pc school uniform offer. Luckily we have grey trousers in bigger size.

So... you need to pay for exam boards for GCSE/A-level entries. That's shocking. I'd wonder if you refused! I can't imagine them not entering the child. But yes, you'd expect it to be a given.

I looked at T website and school bus is £295 per term but it didn't state if this was both ways or single only. W clearly state it's over £550 to include both legs of the journey. That works out approx £9 a day. Comparing this to the sister OP school, it's almost double. Again curious to know the rationale behind that.

14 days and counting.

We spent £500 in W shop for my DS. There is a compulsory list , pe and games kit , must have the W tracksuit and blazer, shirt. And all the various schools bags. Trousers can be bought anywhere. As for hidden costs nil so far apart from travel. Think we have to start paying for his school meals from yr 8. You will have to pay if you want your DS to go on the skiing trips or other trips they offer but there not compulsory.

The T website says the £295 is "per service". Morning and afternoon are separate services so it's £295 each. Not all routes have an equivalent afternoon service.

I'd wonder if you refused!

You can't - they add it onto the fees! Although I think you sign something so say you understand this is the case when you confirm your son's entries.

Gingershotting - at W my son was asked about his interests, sports, whether on teams, etc. and also some academic questions. From our chat with a senior teacher I got the impression they are looking for enthusiasm for learning and outside activities, and for well rounded students. They also apparently liked his writing on the exam.

enterparentone just wanted to say that my DS was also very nervous. He sat 10+ W & T.

2 more weeks of waiting 😬

We are still waiting to hear about an interview - I emailed to ask on timings, and today received a "we will be in touch in due course when we have finalised the list" type email.

We are overseas, so slightly outside the normal timings, but I'm assuming that it's a no interview as they must know this by now?

Chelsea3 regards W costs, agree with all gambaspilpil has said above.

My eldest DS started W two years ago at 10+. We also spent about £500 on school uniform. Sports base layer is the only thing that isn’t school logo. I do love the fact that they do have school logos, the boys do look very smart and uniformed.
If you son is going to start at 10+ the boys go on a bonding trip to Lake Garda it cost £130 don’t know how much it was last year but can’t be much more. They have day trips not many at not much cost. School dinners are compulsory for Y6 & Y7 and this is an additional cost of £260 ish per term, not included in school fees. Travel is another cost. Also add 5% on school fees for each year to allow for increase.
There are no other hidden costs.

Jige and gambaspilpil... Yes I recall the teacher mentioning Lake Garda trip in yr6 which I actually thought was amazing. And even better for that price. Something I think all the boys would benefit from.

It's really good to know that not all trips are compulsory and you can be selective according to your needs. Whilst I'd love him to be involved in all the trips, id have to realistic. I feel I have a much better grasp on the costs now. Fingers crossed all this worrying is worthwhile. I think I'd be even more devasted if no offer comes.

I'll be hunting that postman down on 15th !!

Chelsea3 not all trips are compulsory ie the skiing trip, so your DS won’t feel left out.
I do hope your DS gets a scholarship from either W or T or both. Fingers crossed.........