Trinity/Whitgift 2020 entry

[Breathe10]

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?

Yes, this period is hard isn't it? We applied for 3 schools which involved 10 visits (exams, sports assessments, interviews) and then suddenly it's all done and in the lap of the gods.

I would be interested to know when the decisions are actually made - whether the offer day could be earlier. A few years ago half term was a week earlier so the offers were a week earlier. I envy that year of applicants!

@Walkingtheplank they have to have some kind of "scoring" system... otherwise how will they remember everyone in detail?

Anyone knows? I know they meet with the DSs schools' HMs to assess everyone in detail but still....

So busy at work and struggling to focus!....

Maybe I'm naive, but I didn't know there is some kind of face to face assessment with the HM of the current school - I thought it was based on exam performance and then the brief chat at interview, with some importance attached to report or other data from the school sent by email. It is difficult waiting, but I am trying not to obsess over it...

If there is a chat with HMs it would only be in relation to border line boys at the key preps.

BUT, this does NOT mean state school boys are at a disadvantage. Our state school head was furious with DS getting a scholarship at W. It is highly unlikely that HM assisted DS's application in any positive way but it didnt impact on the result.

I very much doubt my DSs state Head had any interaction with the HMs. She did't even want to do a reference - just told us to send a copy of his last report. Still had offers from both T and W (8 years ago).

My DS is in Prep and we have been told T does it.... maybe only for borderline boys...

Felt so tempted to approach the HM this morning.... need some sort of self control....

Oh blimey I really hope not - my DS is at a school where it is not in the HM interests to do him any favours...!

I wonder how much the try out for non academic scholarships impact?

Walking I would have thought that prep school heads talking to admissions can only disadvantage state school applicants?

If a prep school candidate is borderline, then the prep head can fight their corner - they had an off-day; they're amazing really etc.

But if a state school boy is borderline, there is no one putting in a good word for them. As far as I am aware the state heads do not have any contact, other than possibly writing a reference (and not all schools will even do that). Your school may well have been furious at your DS getting a scholarship, but they would have had no input into W's decision.

@Walkingtheplank why, if i may ask, did the HM of your DS be furious? Surely a kid getting a Scholarship at W coming from his school is a reason for pride and not the other way around. Surely it should indicate he is doing something right in the school?....

KandCa: Well he did point that out that all the credit should go to the primary school(!) but he was just livid - we had a bizarre conversation where he just kept saying, "You chose to send your child to Whitgift" and then mockingly added, "with an academic scholarship".
Unnecessarily unpleasant which leads me to think that had there been a conversation with him in the admissions period that he wouldn't have helped my son's case.

Many state educators have a lot of scorn for the private system, so I'm not that surprised.

If this was for 10+ entry, then maybe he was additionally peeved that a bright high-SATs scorer was leaving him and negatively impacting his stats. (Seems to be all my state school cares about in y6).

I don't think too many chats go on with heads tbh. The schools get so many good applicants that will fill their places that I imagine only a very small number will require follow up chats.
DS2 is at a state primary, and as far as I know they only contact has been providing a reference.

Talking to the heads of independent schools isn't part of a state school head's job. They will be too busy doing all the other work.

T has two main feeders from prep. DS1 went to one of them, and tbh I don't think too many conversations went on. Those days are gone...

My youngest is at DUCKs. If he isn't to the standard expected to move to DC junior we find out at the end of yr 1. There is definitely conversations with the heads of the schools and they invite other local private school heads to come and talk the the parents and advise which school would suit. Suppose it's in there interest to show they are doing what there set out to do which is 'prep' your DC. I am already dubious given my older DC went to state primary and managed to get into private secondary. Whereas I have already been advised that parents at ducks are paying for tutors .....

That’s just crazy tutoring at that age !! Feel sorry for the child . Yes we help our kids if they don’t understand something but if a child has to have intense tutoring for a few years to get into a school then surely they won’t be able to keep up !
There is so much pressure as it is .
We didn’t tutor for these exams . We did the work w our child and books . Yes it’s harder work than handing over money and expecting results but a poor child who needs tutoring to stay afloat once in the school will not enjoy learning if it’s just school school tutor tutor work all the time .

On another note is everyone done now with interviews and just trying to survive the wait !??

All done with interviews here and looking desperately to fill my time so that I think less about offer day!

Also seems quite sad that they'd made their decision about kids at the age of 6 at DUCKS regardless of tutoring or not

Hi, is there anyone out here who is doing 13+?? Anyone from 13+ received interview invitation? Do they send out bulk mail/ letters?

Whitgift have indicated that tomorrow is the last day they are holding 13+ interviews, so I think that all their interview invitations will have gone out by now.

Not sure about Trinity as DS only sat for Whitgift.

PopGoesTheWeaz I agree. I have been advised that the over tutored struggle when they move the junior school and end up being tutored throughout. I know the same for some whose DC are at Alleyns and JAGS. I would rather make sure my DC was at a school that suited him. Feel sad seeing the young ones as I know that some parents have 'nannies'who I have spoken to and ended up being qualified teachers who are in England for a year out!

Thanks theatre taxi. Was looking for info re Dulwich college 13+.... this waiting and guessing is worse than the actual exam 🥴

Two more weeks!! Argh.

I told a friend I couldn't go out next friday bc that was when we'd hear about offers/lack of offers. And then an hour later realised I had imagined a week a way and it was still 2 FULL WEEKS