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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Trinity/Whitgift 2019 thread

862 replies

enterparentone · 14/12/2018 17:04

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!

OP posts:
Chelsea3 · 16/02/2019 10:07

Thanks user1485549700 for raising this as I was in exactly same boat. It started off as a trial run for us too. However I feel that we most likely will send him this year due to the sheer stress I went through. And I think it's only fair to the child as they have put in the effort and got the result required.

I know that there is a lot of competition at 11+ and odds can go against me, which is why i don't want to take the risk and blow a good opportunity. That said, it is entirely your financial situation and gut feeling you need to go with.

Ps My DS also got in for W

Motheroftw0 · 16/02/2019 10:14

@plasterdisaster both T & W were open during half term last year and were able to respond to admissions queries over phone.

Seeline · 16/02/2019 10:18

My DS did that at T 7 years ago. It was meant to be a trial run, but he got offers from both T&W. We took he place at T and it was the best decision for him.
We didn't know if he would get offers again
Couldn't face the extra work for another year
He was bored and unchallenged at state primary
No SATs
We were worried about the step up, and missing year 6 traditions, but that wasn't an issue for him. T were fantastic looking after their J Bugs. It was a huge advantage when the new boys started the next year.

Bondiboo74 · 16/02/2019 12:12

We are in the fantastic position of being able to choose between T and W for 11+. Husband and I both keen on T as it’s closer to us and we love the warm, friendly feel of the school. DS is 50:50. Think he’s swayed by the more sporty feel of W (he’s keen and enthusiastic at sports but not A team material). I’ve explained T offers fantastic sport opportunities and facilities too. Anyone else opting for T at 11+?

Nonie0509 · 16/02/2019 12:17

My DS has offers (10+) from both Trinity and Whitgift (both full fees). He is a sporty boy, not very musical (attempting grade 1 Trombone..) outgoing and pretty academic. Trinity is closer for us. We also know more boys who have gone to T and none to W. Our dilemma is which one to go for. Any advice would be welcome from those who have son’s at either. Many thanks and congrats to everyone for surviving this process.

Yey22 · 16/02/2019 12:23

Bondiboo74 We have been lucky enough to be offered a scholarship at both. My son is also sporty (plays county level) and I think Trinity has a lot to offer for a sports perspective but I can understand how children are wowed by the sporting facilities at Whitgift. Good luck with the decision. a lovely position to be in x

Bondiboo74 · 16/02/2019 12:36

Wow congratulations Yey, that’s amazing! Which one are you likely to go for?

Yey22 · 16/02/2019 12:41

My heart says trinity. DS loves both so we thinking about it over the weekend. You? X

Bondiboo74 · 16/02/2019 12:53

My heart says Trinity too! I’m 90% sure we will go for Trinity

SoupDragon · 16/02/2019 13:31

If you can't choose between the schools on any other criteria, don't underestimate the positives of an easier journey to/from school. T is a 2 bus journey from us and (I'm told through frequent whinging) can be tedious. I don't r great the choice for one moment though.

I honestly believe that, in the absence of a clear preference/special reason, boys will do well in T or W.

Both DSs have enjoyed rugby at T - DS1 worked his way from the bottom to the 3rd XV in 6th form and DS2 worked his way into the 1st/2nd XV. If a boy is keen at sport and puts effort in they can work their way up and T have lots of teams in the lower years. There are good opportunities for different sports too.

Original poster
enterparentone · 16/02/2019 14:43

I can't seem to find the message (Mumsnet really need to add the ability to search within a thread!) - could whoever kindly replied before remind me what inductions there are for 10+ starters at Trinity please?

Also, regarding additional costs, can children bring packed lunches? (concerned about £5/day canteen!) Other than the main uniform, how much sports kit or other bits do you need to buy? How much is musical instrument tuition roughly?

We'd love to accept the offer but finances are so tight we need to work out what we're letting ourselves in for...

Also, considering boys travel from a long distance, is there much socialising outside of school?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 16/02/2019 15:01

I don't know about the inductions (I know they go to their outward bound centre but that's it).

Yes, they can take a packed lunch in - mine did for years.

Sports kit, they need the rugby top and shorts, PE top and shorts and socks. Plus boots and trainers and mouth guard. Swimming trunks. The tracksuit is expensive but good quality. Definitely go to the second hand uniform sales. There's one on 16th March.

SoupDragon · 16/02/2019 15:03

Most of DSs' socialising was over XBox etc. Occasional trips to friends houses. They learnt to negotiate the public transport system pretty well when I got bored with being the taxi.

Until 6th is but you don't need to worry about that just yet!

Original poster
enterparentone · 16/02/2019 15:07

Thank you v much SoupDragon! Very pleased to hear about packed lunches!

OP posts:
MuMama25 · 16/02/2019 15:07

Anyone know when next 2nd Hand clothes sale is at W? We only went for W as closer and also feel daily travel is important - loved the feel of the school Have v decent all rounder scholarship offer whoever was asking about amounts

MuMama25 · 16/02/2019 15:19

Also had a 10+ for W offer - definitely taking it - no way we doing this again next year!

walkingtheplank · 16/02/2019 15:27

MuMama25 - if you have a good scholarship offer at 10+ you'd be mad to say no! I wish we'd done 10+ last year and got it out of the way.
Is an allrounder scholarship a combination of academic + sport/arts? Well done to DS for achieving that.

walkingtheplank · 16/02/2019 15:30

Mumama25 - did you have a sons doing both 10+ and 11+? Did they both get into Whitgift?

Yey22 · 16/02/2019 15:30

The all rounder my son got for W 11+ included acedemic/art and sport x

MuMama25 · 16/02/2019 15:32

Sorry to confuse - scholarship is for 11+ - music and academic - Have second son who went for 10+ and no scholarship but really don’t need this stress next year so will take full fee place Thanks

walkingtheplank · 16/02/2019 15:59

Mumama25, even without the scholarship I can see why you'd not want to go through all this again. We feel so much lighter as a family today now this is over.

AveEldon · 16/02/2019 16:01

@MuMama25 W secondhand sale is likely to be around 22 June

MuMama25 · 16/02/2019 16:16

Great thanks Is it announced anywhere officially?

jasmine372 · 16/02/2019 19:56

Hi all congrats to everyone who has done so well . Can anyone pass on any tips regarding exam prep for 10plus trinity and whitgift .
Can you recommend any tutors please ?
Or any specific books we can use .

Many thanks for any advice !

turboturtle · 16/02/2019 21:10

user1485549700 Congrats to your DS.
Is he at state or prep? Either way, getting a 10+ entry means he doesn't have to spend his time on preparing for SATS etc.
If he's at a prep, after this time next year (when offers have been accepted), what will his school be doing? Weigh that up with what will he be doing this time next year at W. Probably at lot more at W.
From speaking to both parents and teachers, entering at 10+ means that at y7, he will be settled and could potentially be ahead of his peers who only join at y7, as they wouldn't have done some of the subject in y6 at primary school.
As he managed to get into W, I would say he would probably get into St Dunstans if he applied next year, but obtaining a place at DC or Alleyns could be a bit of a lottery.
If you can make the journey work, I personally would accept the 10+ place at W. - Just my opinion.
Best of luck