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!

Really? I can't believe that so many people are undecided at such a late point. We decided the day the offers came.

Any W mums out there whose DS have been through y6 already and can share what a typical weekly timetable looks like? Would be good to know what they do in that long lunch break, and how many after school activities are compulsory. It wasn't super clear when we were shown round..

DS going from local state primary, so the long day might be a bit of shock to the system esp as will be on school bus start/end of day!

11+ Whitgift too. Chuffed to bits

Another W 11+ Here. So pleased and relieved it’s all over.

walkingtheplank I guess it’s a big decision with big financial implications - I know a few people who found it a very hard decision to choose between certain schools. Glad to hear you were so certain though.

does anyone know if now deadline passed when everyone had to confirm offers from T and W? ie does it mean if waitlist are in operation they might move now ?

anyone here experience with 12+?

Hi there..,sorry no experience with 12+ but the deadline was last Wednesday so hoping that the WL moves for you. From experience with WL (for my DD a couple of years ago!) I think that calling the registrar go let her know how keen we were did help. Good luck!

Question for Trinity parents - can boys wear navy blue coats or do they have to be black? Do they need the cricket kit or just rugby for Autumn? What bags are required? Hewitts didn't seem to know. Thank you very much!

Black coats black bags. No cricket stuff needed TIL summer but the cricket shirt is used for gym sessions so that the exception. There are indoor cricket nets in autumn and spring term but cricket trousers not required.

Thank you!

A reminder for those starting T:
Second hand uniform sale tomorrow 8.30 - 11am. It's run by the TPA so present parents will be around to give advice.

User14855 - my son is currently in yr 6 at W. Was unsure about it a year ago but it’s turned out to be a fantastic move for him. He has 6 45 minute lessons with very long lunch break and they finish at 3.45, although numerous after school clubs if they want to stay late ( or lunchtime or early morning!) it’s not so much the long day he had to get to grips with but the intensity. It’s very academic and high standards are expected. It took him until Christmas to get used to it but now manages his time quite well. Tests every 6 weeks!!

Seeline thank you so much for advising about the second hand sale at T today. It was fantastic for getting really good quality items at such good value. Was also great opportunity to meet current parents stocking up- all of whom complained of how easily their DSs lose everything!

Half it was useful maximilli 🙂

How did glad become half?! 😁

We went too Seeline, thank you! Now wondering which of the people we chatted to were Mumsnetters...!

Any idea when W’s 2nd hand sale is?

W sale is not showing in the calendar yet but based on previous years my guess is around 22 June

Thanks AveEldon

Enterparentone, I was there too. without my boy though, so I was guessing the size . just managed to get a few correctly!

Thanks Basil13. We will just have to see how the first term pans out. Coming from a v relaxed state primary the workload and testing is going to be a shock to the poor boy's system!!!

👋 MumofLL

Seeline or other T parents - what does a typical T day look like? Interesting to hear about W and I wonder how T compares? We are Jbugs. Do the forms mix much? We know a couple of others going and wondering if the boys will see much of each other. What are science/languages lessons like as I think DS is excited about these being different to primary!

enterparentone My DS is L6 now so it is a long time since he was a JBug! I'm not sure how much has changed from then either...
For all boys lessons start at 8.55 and are 35 mins long, with a 5 min break in between to get to class. Break is 11.30 - 11.55, and lunch is 1.10 - 2.15 (lessons starting at 2.30)
I think science is still taught as general science in JBugs rather than separate subjects - that starts in first form. I'm sure they did experiments and stuff though - more exciting than his state primary.
Languages I think they did a term of each (although I'm sure he did Spanish, French, german and Mandarin so that can't be quite right!) They also had Classics lessons each week, which included Latin.
I think he had 2 double lessons of games (rugby, hockey, cricket depending on term), a single lesson of PE (gym etc) and a swimming lesson each week. They mixed forms for games lessons I think.
Lots of clubs, sports, music and matches before and after school as well as at lunch time. They were all encouraged to join a couple.
The boys were helped and supported very well with the step up to secondary. It was a real advantage when Y7 started.
I know the homework set up has changed so hopefully someone with more recent experience will be along soon.

user1485549700, I agree with everything basil13 has said, and also to point out some similarities to what Seeline has said even though that is for Trinity.
My DS started in Y6 and is now in Y7, the days are long, but agree it’s the intensity of the lessons. My DS came from a small state primary, relaxed atmosphere with receiving one piece of homework a week. So when he started Whitgift I have to say the amount of homework received didn’t faze him, they get on average 2-3 bits of homework per day. And he soon got used to it, but please don’t be alarmed, the homework is designed so that you don’t spend more than 30mins on each piece. Lessons in the day are 45 mins each x 6 sessions in a day.
It is compulsory for both Y6 and Y7 to have school dinners, and the reason for the long lunches which are 1.45min. This allows time for lunch which both years 6 & 7 get to go before the other year groups and allows plenty of time to do a club, there are no excuses for them not to do so and they are encouraged to do at least 3. There a lots of clubs to choose from during lunch time and after school.
I agree that for all boys it will be a shock to the system, long intense day, but my DS absolutely loves it at W, lessons and subjects interesting and engaging so he’s never really complained about the long days as such.
They have many mini tests, once they’ve covered a subject they are tested. But just before a half-term holiday and at the end of term they get a big test where you’ll get a report on their performance.
The best decision we ever made was to start DS in Y6, no SATS, no repetitive learning. Y6 gives the boys a good start and an insight into what is expected in Y7, and the transition was so easy, and they are no longer the new boys. Also being there a year earlier they are used to the school, rules and what is expected of them.
The one thing I would say is that they have to be very organised and they soon learn that very quickly.

So to answer your question of a typical day at W, long, busy, interesting educational wise and fun.

Thanks Jige. The heads up on year 6 at whitgift is really useful. I’d also like to ask about the staff and how they are with the boys. Do they make the transition easier from junior to senior school? What is the pastoral care like? Thanks