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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:
Original poster
enterparentone · 07/01/2019 16:46

The Trinity website says: Offers of places
We post offers of 10+, 11+ and 13+ places in mid-February. If you need to hear before this date, perhaps because you have been made an offer by a non-Trinity Group school and are being pressed for a definitive reply, you should contact our Admissions Registrar. We normally ask for responses for 10+ and 13+ within two weeks. The 11+ deadline is after state and grammar school offers are posted, so you know all options before making your choice.
Please note that a deposit of £800 is payable on acceptance of a place, which will be retained until your child leaves, when it will be refunded less any balance owing to the School. Please note that we are unable to return your deposit if you do not take up a place.
Find out more on our Key Dates page.

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Motheroftw0 · 07/01/2019 17:04

Thanks enterParentone. That's good, hopefully if DS gets offered the first preference in the first round itself would be great! Wishful thinking!!!

PeekaPeeka · 07/01/2019 17:21

As far as I remember, the offer letters usually arrive on the Friday before half term.

ChocolateWombat · 07/01/2019 17:25

Most good independents give until something like 5 March for acceptances, especially in areas where they know lots of candidates will be waiting to hear from particular state schools such as the Grammars. The few who don't tend to be either desperate to tie people in by committing them to big deposits, or occasionally in areas of London which have massive massive application rates, but where for many, the school isn't the first choice because they apply to large numbers.....and the school can't tell who really will take the place and who won't, so they ask for sooner commitment or even use exploding offers to ensure they have enough definites before it gets too late. Very quickly after 5 March it can be difficult for even great schools to fill their places with top candidates from waiting lists, as people accept other places, emotionally and financially commit to them and become increasingly less likely to take waiting list places.

W and T know that a number of their applicants will go for the free Grammar or great Comp they're hoping for, but not sure if getting, if they can. They will over-offer based on the fact they know this happens every year.

Motheroftw0 · 07/01/2019 21:29

Hi enterParentone,
Just read your message about feedback. Trinity gives detail feedback (scores) to the parents when the kids are called for an academic scholarship interview. However if it is a Saturday interview no feedback as the parents are gathered in a hall while children have their interviews. So no chance to have a 1 to 1 feedback. In Whitgift no feedback is given during the interview. If the child qualifies for academic scholarship then questions related to the subjects are asked too in the interview.

However both the schools you can ring them and ask for a feedback after receiving the offer decision letter. They discuss the child's scores and as to what their rank is as well!
Hope this helps.

Motheroftw0 · 07/01/2019 21:30

Thanks Chocolatewombat

turboturtle · 07/01/2019 23:10

Hi Motheroftw0, my DS was interviewed at W. He did quite well in the exams (enough to be offered a place) but was certainly not academic scholarship material.
W interviewed him alone for the first part, and then we were called in after whilst he waited outside, which was when the feedback was provided.

Motheroftw0 · 07/01/2019 23:18

Yes they did the same to mine as well, however feedback was about how well the interview went and we were asked if we had any questions.. anything except his exam performance as the interviewer isn't allowed to discuss them. However the exam feedback was separately provided when asked over the phone.

Motheroftw0 · 07/01/2019 23:30

Turboturtle When I said no feedback at Whitgift, I meant no feedback about the exam performance during the interview.

Mugglingstrum · 07/01/2019 23:37

Hi all. Trinity definitely a little more open when giving feedback to parents at interview stage. If interviewed by Mr Yeo at Whitgift you can assume that your son has excelled in the exam. Both schools fantastic at putting the boys at ease. Needless to say the whole process is invariably more daunting for the parents!!!

Original poster
enterparentone · 08/01/2019 11:10

Any phone calls yet? Looking at previous threads, 11+ started getting calls on the Tuesday after exams, 10+ on the Wednesday. I should have planned more to distract me this week!!

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Motheroftw0 · 08/01/2019 11:26

No enterparentone 😞 I haven't had any call! Very nervous and hard not to think about it..

Motheroftw0 · 08/01/2019 11:32

Notification of interview is 2 - 10 days after examinations. Hence that would be from today, fingers crossed

walkingtheplank · 08/01/2019 11:55

When they offer an interview, do they give you any choice of day/time?
I'm strangely not worried about the phone call yet but I'm sure by next week I'll be getting stressed.

Mugglingstrum · 08/01/2019 12:11

Hi walking. You get given a specific time/date. They ask you to attend then, if at all possible. If you really could not make it then an alternative time will be arranged.

walkingtheplank · 08/01/2019 14:42

Thank you. Obviously would want to attend to suit them but some dates will not be possible i.e. not in the country!

Chelsea3 · 08/01/2019 21:10

Another anxious mum, waiting to hear back from Trinity. My son sat the exam on Saturday but no call yet. Fingers crossed for all those who've applied. Does anyone know what the school expects the child to bring in on interview day, I have heard they would like something the child has created and can talk about!

Motheroftw0 · 08/01/2019 21:38

Yes something that they could talk about, could be a book or a certificate

Chelsea3 · 08/01/2019 21:51

Thank you for that. So does it need to be created from scratch or simply take a book which they have read. Sorry for questions but it's all so new for me!

Original poster
enterparentone · 08/01/2019 22:25

I think they'll explain in the email when they invite you for interview. I think it's meant just for breaking the ice Smile

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Chelsea3 · 08/01/2019 22:39

I'll just be patient enough and wait to hear from exam results, I guess this is where parents try to pre-empt all angles. Let the wait continue ....Hmm

Motheroftw0 · 08/01/2019 22:55

For 10 plus we were simply advised to bring something that the child would like to talk about, yes a book they've read or anything the child is particularly interested on.

Motheroftw0 · 09/01/2019 09:14

Hoping to hear some good news today, fingers crossed

Original poster
enterparentone · 09/01/2019 10:44

Has anyone heard of anyone hearing anything? It would be encouraging to know there's been some movement from Trinity! Are the no letters posted tomorrow?

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Motheroftw0 · 09/01/2019 10:45

I know three ppl including myself who've heard nothing from Trinity yet!

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