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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:
gambaspilpil · 10/01/2019 20:53

Oops that should have read he was asked why he liked Whitgift!

MWMmummy · 10/01/2019 21:23

Hi all, been following this thread with interest. DS applied for T and W for 11+. Congratulations to all who have got interviews at T, sadly we were not one of the lucky ones and got the "thanks but no thanks" email from them earlier today. Gutted for DS, he has worked so hard and really really wanted it. He thought the assessment was fine actually, just goes to show you can never tell...

I guess we are waiting now to see what W say - anyone know when we can expect to hear?

I hate this whole 11+ process. I keep re-reading old posts by people who have got the offers that they want and thinking, "that'll never be us." It is just so hard to keep going sometimes.

Motheroftw0 · 10/01/2019 21:50

Very sorry to hear that MWMmummy, all the very best for the W outcome. I kind of understand how you feel, even though I got a positive email sometime back I now know that my DS isn't going to get an a academic scholarship. For my financial situation this result means as good as a 'No'. I am so disappointed as DS said he did so well infact finished even the scholarship question- the algebra one!

I can't agree with you more on hating this 11+ process, so much pressure on these 10 year olds and US parents too! Please stay positive and am sure something better is in store for your DS.

MWMmummy · 10/01/2019 22:05

Thank you for your kind post Motheroftwo. It means a lot. I am sorry that you have not had the news you wanted either.
I am trying to stay positive (and obviously I keep my game face on until the kids have gone to bed) but I am feeling so despondent right now.

Motheroftw0 · 10/01/2019 22:21

I soooo empathize you, for people from different world wouldn't understand this. Only that we've seen the kids go through so much during these preparations, so many sacrifices - everything when it comes down to final 'yes' or 'no'. Totally unfair! I know no one forced us to do these preparations and we could've settled for normal state schools within catchment!!! But at end of the day we try giving a better secondary education to kids as it plays a vital role.. and think the best is either by grammar schools or selective private schools. We go through the preparation stress by reiterating this to the kids and when the results aren't favorable it puts us in a difficult situation to face the kids. Let's be brave!!!! Something definitely better is in store!

gambaspilpil · 10/01/2019 22:53

MWMmummy sorry to hear about T. Hope you get a better outcome with W. It’s hard when trying to manage our DC through this process especially when they don’t get called for interview. My DC didn’t get interviews for all the schools they sat exams for but are very happy where they ended up.

calpop · 10/01/2019 23:08

MWMummy please dont be too down. I have already been through this hideous process with an older child (dont know if you're on your first?) and one thing I can say, with the advantage of some distance, is that, whatever happens at this point, seemingly good or bad, the kids, without exception, all eventually ended up in the right place for them. All thrived, with no exceptions. It WILL be fine.

I also know someone who was devastated not to get into Trinity at 11+, and joined for third year (year 9). Things are never cut and dried. x

walkingtheplank · 10/01/2019 23:33

Sorry to hear your news MWMmummy. I hadn't realised emails were being sent today so it must have been a horrible surprise for you.

I hope you get a better outcome from Whitgift? Did you prefer one over the other?

Button206 · 10/01/2019 23:56

We too received a disappointing email this evening! So know the feeling!
Is anyone willing to say whether they used the services of a tutor, we did not and I wonder if this is needed

Chelsea3 · 11/01/2019 00:10

Hi Button, really sorry to hear of the disappointing email you received. My DS has had a tutor for nearly a year now (,start of year4). This was an essential part of the exam prep for him as an individual. In the last 4 months, he has been completing test papers covering English comprehension, maths and verbal reasoning on weekly basis.

I found this helped with his accuracy and speed. The more he did, the better he got.

Did you apply for 10+ or 11+ if you don't me asking? If 10+ then you still have a shot at 11+.

Wishing you the best !

Button206 · 11/01/2019 00:17

Hi Chelsea, thanks for this. We applied at 10+ so yes can give it another go next year. It’s so disheartening but competition is high.

MWMmummy · 11/01/2019 08:18

Calpop, WalkingthePlank, thank you for your kind messages.
I knew the 11+ would be bad from speaking to other parents who have gone through it before us, but I didn't think it would be this bad!
I am now hugely panicking that we and our son's teachers have badly misjudged where he is, and as a result we have gone for schools that he won't get offers from. T was actually his third choice, but his first choice is DC and then W. He came out of the assessment really confident that he had done well whereas he said DC was hard, and W was harder than T. So I am thinking, if he didn't even make it to interview at T, realistically what chance does he have at these other schools?
I am normally pretty calm and level headed but I am finding it so hard to retain any sense of perspective on this.

I truly hope that all of your lovely DS's who have been invited to interview do really well. I just wish we were you.

calpop · 11/01/2019 08:41

I guess Trinity was the first one he did? Always the hardest. I think sometimes when they say it was fine/easy it means they missed the subtleties (esp in the dreaded comprehension!). I've found that often when they think its harder, it can mean that they are more engaged with the paper and do better (I've found this with exams too). So don't give up hope for the other 2.

Anecdotally, I know 3 boys over the past few years who didn't get into T but did get offers from W. All 3 schools (I think DC) also have 13+ entry as well. Many boys arent ready at 10, just 11 maybe for the whole stressful exam process, but will be at at 13. Don't worry too much (hard I know) x

Original poster
enterparentone · 11/01/2019 10:56

I'm sorry it was disappointing news for you MWMmummy and Button206. It's really hard not just for yourself but also managing your DS feelings too. I echo what calpop said - you can't always trust what DC say on the way out, and sometimes thinking it went too well is a bad sign whereas "hard" can mean they were reading it properly. The DS are lucky that they have engaged parents who support them, so wherever they end up they are already at an advantage. Good luck for other exams!

Chelsea3 thanks for the info on numbers. I wonder how many offers they will make for 45 places? Does anyone know how many scholarships are offered?

Do Trinity ask academic questions at interview, or just Whitgift?

Button206 we had a tutor since Easter so 2 terms before the exam - 1 hour/week 1-2-1. DS is at state primary so no support otherwise and would never have covered reasoning.

OP posts:
walkingtheplank · 11/01/2019 13:07

Have just called T about sports assessments - as advised in the letter. Apparently emails will be sent this afternoon so no need to ring.

Motheroftw0 · 11/01/2019 13:25

Did anyone hear about other scholarships?

Motheroftw0 · 11/01/2019 13:26

Thanks for the update @walkingtheplank

walkingtheplank · 11/01/2019 16:31

Sports assessment email have now been sent.

Original poster
enterparentone · 11/01/2019 16:45

How did DS interview go Bondiboo?

Are interviews generally after school or evening or do DS have to be taken out of school?

OP posts:
BriefChangeofUserName · 11/01/2019 17:00

Hello - have been lurking here for a while. DS sat Trinity, Whitgift and Eltham 11+ last week.

Is anyone still waiting on a Trinity Sports Scholarship email? Or has received a no email for Sports Scholarship? DS sat the Trinity exam on Wednesday and no news but I wasn't sure if they sent out no emails for the sports assessment? Just want to know not sweat all weekend!

turboturtle · 11/01/2019 17:10

MWMmummy and Button206, don't be too disheartened.
A couple of years ago, we knew someone who didn't get called for an interview at T but was offered an academic scholarship elsewhere. Trinity was also the first exam that they took, so it could just be down to the overwhelming nature of it being the first one.
Best of luck with the others.

Motheroftw0, the sports scholarship assessment @ T is on a set day, so they usually concentrate on that one first, whereas the music scholarships are held over a series of days. Not sure about the others

Chelsea3 · 11/01/2019 17:37

Got call back for T Interview , it's next Saturday 19th!! When I asked interviewer details. I got told it will be conducted by Admissions team...that doesn't sound very promising!! Any ideas folks?

OlennasWimple · 12/01/2019 00:16

This thread has fallen off my active list for some reason, so I'm adding this to try to get it back on!

Pickofthepops · 12/01/2019 07:14

Hi all. Sorry for disappointment so far & congrats for any positives. It’s tough for sure. DS sat 11+ at Reigate Grammar on 4/1 & W on 10/01. Found RGS easier. Have been told he has been put forward / endorsed for sports scholarship at W by his chosen sport having passed their individual open trials in November. But obv subject to passing exam and final Head approval. We are also in for the bursary. We are state school and has done 4 months of good prep from Bond & other comparable tests. Had somehow missed that W would be multiple choice on the day. He said it was tough and came out quite low. Will feel double disappointed as we dared to hope we were moving closer. I will feel responsible if I overlooked the format for W. Oh well. RGS mail out 14/1 so we will see. Have a restful weekend everyone.

walkingtheplank · 12/01/2019 11:24

We have 11+ interview next Saturday.
Would be interesting to know how interviews have gone so far for children/parents.
So excited!