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Secondary education

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Original poster

Trinity/Whitgift 2020 entry

780 replies

Breathe10 · 07/12/2019 12:31

I've read through lots of chat re 2019 but can't see a 2020 10/11+ 2020 thread. How are your DS's getting on?

OP posts:
chalkyc2 · 18/12/2019 15:53

This thread is actually making me feel really nervous - I think we have maybe been a bit too relaxed about this set of exams!! The thought of interviews and meeting the HM is too much I can only focus on the exam right now!

Ok - what prep are your boys doing over the holidays and what other schools are others applying for? My DS isn't at a prep so I've no idea whether he stands much chance of getting in or not....

Walkingtheplank · 18/12/2019 23:49

Chalkyc2, no need to worry about interviews etc at this stage, and to be honest, I think you can overstress on the exam prep too. Looking at the boys at my DS's school, there wasn't much of a correlation between hours spent preparing and success. I'd also say that the type of school your son is at now isn't important. My son was at a local state school and from what I know, most of the boys he's now friends with went to similar schools. I suspect Whitgift and Trinity consider this in their selection process and they are looking for potential rather than learned knowledge.

Enpot2007 · 19/12/2019 22:07

Just wanted to wish you all the best of luck for the upcoming tests. I was in your position last year and my son is now enjoying Y7 at Whitgift.

Re prep for hols. Do let your children enjoy Xmas too. Our rule was two quick multiple choice tests per day. One in the morning and one in the evening. Between those times it was play. PS4 is a good bargaining tool! SmileIt worked for him. No work from Xmas eve to after Boxing Day. Just do what works for both of you. Try not to stress out. It’s so hard not too!!

Re exam day Whitgift make it easy for all the boys. They sit in rooms in alphabetical order. They get play, good lunch, chat between tests and a snack to take home. They make friends too! Trust me not all entrance exams are like this.

Last year the boys wrote a story based on a photo or a scenario. A maths test and VR test. It may well be different for you.

Interview stage is also made easy on the boys. They go in first and are asked questions about themselves and different scenarios. Parents interviewed separately. If you ask they will give you an idea how your son did in the test - not exact scores but will say above average or outstanding or he did this well etc. Ask anything you want. Admissions team are also super helpful.

Then you’ve done all you can.

My son also applied for a sports scholarship so can share that process too. Happy to answer any other questions too.

It’s quite an emotional time but your boys are more resilient than you think and hopefully will take the tests in their stride. My son said the best bit of the day was the food! Good luck and I’ve got my fingers crossed for all of you!

Brrrr10 · 26/12/2019 14:27

Thanks Walking & Enpot, Merry Xmas to all! Definitely no prep going on here these last few days! They are 9/10/11 after all and need to have fun!

Hopefulmum72 · 27/12/2019 02:10

Brrr10 my DS was told, when he went for a rugby camp, 70% average across the 3 papers for the 11+ at T. This does not guarantee an offer, but likely to be called for interview. I do know they take the whole package into consideration when they invite the children, not just academics, but you need to be above the 70%. I was told last year on a visit day for the 10+ , it was 60% average.... 11+ is more demanding. ..

Brrrr10 · 28/12/2019 17:18

Hopefulmum72 that's very interesting that you and your DS were told those percentages. I hope that's the case this year! Totally get the "whole package" thing as I would expect that to be part of their decision process re interview and not just all based on results on that one day. But I suppose they need a cut off point.

Hampton1 · 31/12/2019 18:38

One quick random question. Does anyone know if the boys need to go in uniform for the exam day or own clothes? Each school seems to have different policies and I can’t find anything on Trinity’s website it information they sent about the day.

enterparentone · 31/12/2019 19:27

Own clothes

enterparentone · 31/12/2019 19:28

Unless it's changed this year! Grin

Yey22 · 31/12/2019 19:58

Own clothes for trinity, whitgift uniform x

Hopefulmum72 · 01/01/2020 20:42

How is everyone's prep going? I cannot wait for this all to be finished now....My DS is doing the 11+ at T, W and RR....

PopGoesTheWeaz · 01/01/2020 21:00

Is anyone doing Dulwich? Would be interested in the percentages needed on that exam as had heard 85%. EEk.

Also, are all the tests for DC, Trinity and Whitgift paper based or are parts computer based?

chalkyc2 · 01/01/2020 21:59

I'm in slight despair with my DS now - he's totally unconcerned and reluctant to do any practice!! He's doing eltham on Friday, T and Colfes next week, and CLS week after. Ahhh who knows?!?

PopGoesTheWeaz · 01/01/2020 22:21

We aren't going much practice at the moment - just one 30 minute and a 10 minute test or two becuase DS resists if I ask for more and I want to keep this light and not pour pressure on as I think that will backfire on the actual test days. He has 3 in succession so not a lot of time to bounce back if he gets flustered at the first one.

I did tell him it's just like training for a race and you wouldn't show up for a 10k without doing some shorter runs in the lead up and that helped win him over to the idea (whereas before it seemed like needless homework.)

I'm taking comfort in the comment below that said there wasn't necessarily correlation between the students who did loads of practice and the students who got offers.

champagneandfromage50 · 02/01/2020 09:38

PopGoesTheWeaz I don't know the figure at Dulwich however the expected standard is a lot higher than W and T. They have only 60 places at 11 + as they have 60 moving up from the junior school so its highly competitive. I know many DC who didn't get an interview for DC who subsequently went to W and T. There all great schools though so Good luck

Enpot2007 · 02/01/2020 09:47

@PopGoesTheWeaz - Whitgift is paper based. Cannot comment on the others. Details of tests should be on the school website.

Good luck to you all. At this stage just go through exam technique, multiple choice or/and past papers if you can. Exam technique is important so if you can’t do x question move on, look at how many points awarded for each question so you know an answer might need more than a one word answer etc. Hardest questions at the end- should I do these first as they may have the most marks? Ignore other children when doing the test. Just because x finishes in 5 mins, good for X. But stay in your lane.

Even talking through the process is useful. Every child is different. But you do know when enough is enough.

I can remember my son doing a past paper that I had got from Dulwich College’s website for practice only. He didn’t really want to do any more work. So I was like after this, no more. There was one question he couldn’t do. But DC provide answers and working out. Thank god for my brother who talked it through with him.

Fast forward a few days later a similar question popped up on the Whitgift paper. He couldn’t stop smiling Grin.

Hopefulmum72 · 02/01/2020 10:53

Hampton1, depend on what your DS is doing. I believe the rule is pretty much if it is a week day, Uniform, if it falls on the weekend, own clothes. last year 10+ at Trinity was on a saturday and they asked to come in theoir own clothes, Whitgift 10+ was during the week and he had to go in uniform.... this year Trinity 11+ in during the week and they have been asked to wear their Uniform. It does say on the paperwork you have received for theexam how they should present themselves on the exam day.

We are pretty much just focusing now on exam technique as it was something that he failed miserably at last year... as he panicked with the time pressure....so all practice he is doing is under time pressure now....but taking it easy as we approach as nerves are counterproductive....good luck to all!

PopGoesTheWeaz · 02/01/2020 11:34

I'm quite sure my paperwork from Trinity says not to wear uniform for Tuesday's 11+ -- will double check when home tonight unless some else has it in front of them...If I recall correctly it was at the top in big letters and so I missed it the first few reads as looking for it in the detail :)

Hampton1 · 02/01/2020 12:22

PopGoesTheWeaz I have finally found it after reading it several times and I agree it dies say NO uniform at the top of the letter. I think my brain has gone with all the practice papers. I didn’t notice even though I re-read it several times!

Hopefulmum72 · 02/01/2020 12:24

Now you got me checking again, as I was going to swear it was Uniform for all... will check when i get back home....

The day I sent my child in uniform on a pajama day in year 1 is still stuck in my head .......till this day as a major Mummy fail! LOL

PopGoesTheWeaz · 02/01/2020 19:54

Okay, have checked again and DS's trinity exam invite is on a green sheet and says "Your son should arrive no later than 10.00 am and does not need to wear school uniform" across the top.

Trinity says they post letters for those not being asked to interview e/c 13 January. Does anyone have any experience of how quickly the other schools get back?

Hopefulmum72 · 02/01/2020 20:20

You are all right. No need to wear uniform.for Trinity... Whitgift and Royal Russell you have to wear the uniform....

Yey22 · 02/01/2020 20:37

Last year, Trinity and Dulwich had a similar amount of applications per place, Trinity is becoming more and more popular. Most boys that got offered a place at trinity also got Dulwich. If boys got offered Trinity and Dulwich they also got offered whitgift (hope that makes sense).

Re when the schools get back to you, this was very variable. For example academic scholarship interviews at Trinity seemed to be at the start of the interview process and whitgift at the end. Do not be disheartened if you don’t go hear anything, it’s very variable as to when you hear about the interviews, you have to hold your nerve. Dulwich I think let you know the date they are posting the interview letters. Trinity we heard by telephone, whitgift email.

Wishing your boys all the every best, if our experience is anything to go by, the first exam feels scary then the boys start to get into it and actually enjoy some of the process especially the donuts 🙂. Thinking of you all x

JustJuice187 · 02/01/2020 23:01

Yes same procedure still with Mr K - one on one interview with Mr K if boy did particularly well.
DS1 is 3rd year at T (yr9).

JustJuice187 · 02/01/2020 23:10

Sorry for slightly random post above! Good luck to all sitting the exam. I'm doing it all again with DS2! Focus on exam technique at this point and just repeat all the basic advice.
We have only done intermittent papers over Christmas hols so just ramping up again now. 😬