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Secondary education

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Original poster

Trinity/Whitgift 2021 entry

558 replies

Onvacation · 27/09/2020 20:44

I have found the previous threads for Trinity/Whitgift entry really helpful, and I don’t think there is a 2021 yet. My son will be trying for 10+, and for a sports scholarship. He is bright, and pleased to be back training for his sports, but he gets really stressed in exam situations and works slowly. He is only trying Trinity this year because he is not at all sure he wants to leave his primary school, but if he managed to get a scholarship I think he might decide to go.

I was hoping the activity on the exam day might help motivate him, but we got the email saying it wouldn’t be happening because of Covid. Can I ask if anyone had more success at 11+ than 10+? Do they ever offer academic and sports scholarships? I am assuming that we will more have the issue of him getting stressed in the exam, and not passing, than standing a chance of a scholarship, but just thinking of best possible scenario Wink. Thanks!

OP posts:
NamBo · 12/02/2021 14:59

Trinity

Lovestodance2 · 12/02/2021 16:55

Congrats to all those with offers.
Anyone know how many 10+ places there were this year? We’re on the waitlist, keeping fingers crossed....

elevenplusnightmare · 12/02/2021 17:00

Anyone here applied to Westminster (WUS)?

Walkingtheplank · 12/02/2021 17:45

Congrats to everyone who has an offer today.

I have a DS at Whitgift and we dont have any safety concerns. He takes a public bus to school and never had a problem.

Boys travel en masse between school and East/South Croydon stations so safety in numbers.

The only issues I've heard about have been with 2 boys who had their phones taken at Victoria or Clapham Junction i.e. the safety issue, which is minimal, hasn't been in Croydon itself.

Of course we all worry about our babies making their way to school but after a week or so it's a relief to not be respobsible for getting them to school anymore!

NamBo · 12/02/2021 19:19

My eldest son is at Trinity. He gets the tram to Sandilands and then a quick bus down the road. I’d like to imagine he walks down the road but that’s slightly fanciful. Last year after there was an incident at Sandilands Trinity deployed a staff member to be present at Sandilands during school commute times. I don’t know if that’s still the case but the point remains that the school understand their duties extend beyond the school boundaries. Trinity is an outstanding school and we are so relieved son number two will be going there in September. Inly need to worry about son number three in four years or so now.

NamBo · 12/02/2021 19:20

Oh, and sorry for not using the DS notation but I find it hard to get my head around 😂

jasmine372 · 12/02/2021 22:08

Hello all .
My son is at year 6 in Trinity at the moment as we took the 10 plus last year . It is a fabulous school , anyone who needs any info please do PM me .
Our sons could be in the same class next year ( def the same year at least ) so happy to help with what I know .

Unicorns4ever · 13/02/2021 09:43

Quick question for anyone already at T or W. Do parent WhatsApp groups still exist when you start year 6 or is that not a thing at secondary school ha? I rely on them loads:)

RockaLock · 13/02/2021 11:21

Yes, there are definitely parent class WhatsApp groups at T.

AveEldon · 13/02/2021 11:40

@Unicorns4ever limited optional WhatsApp groups at W - I wouldn't be relying on them for anything. Secondary kids are expected to sort themselves out. We have a contact list for arranging lifts to fixtures etc

Unicorns4ever · 13/02/2021 11:55

Thank you very much @RockaLock and @AveEldon . Appreciate the reply. All just a bit scary isn’t it

Jige · 13/02/2021 12:12

Unicorns4ever would agree with AveEldon however in both my boys years a parent went and setup a WhatsApp group. At the beginning of the 1st term you will be noticed of class reps in your sons year, you can inform them that you’ve setup a WhatsApp group and they will inform parents who have already given their details to the reps.
WhatsApp group has been very helpful just to ask a question and someone in the group will know. However it’s not like primary where you get informed of everything that goes on at the school.
From day one the boys are encouraged to be independent and not to depend on their parents.
It does feel scary right now for you, totally understand, I felt the same, but all the boys are in the same boat when they start and they soon learn the ropes very quickly.

Jige · 13/02/2021 12:17

Notice = notified

Daydreamer85 · 13/02/2021 14:45

Congratulations to all who got offers and good luck to those who are on the waiting lists.

DS got offer from T and wait list at W.

We are going to be turning both T and W down on Monday, as we have another offer elsewhere, hopefully that helps those on the waiting lists.

Only the right thing to do, as I experienced that wait feeling for an older DC before.

We have friends at both schools and they are all happy with the schools, but W parents do complain about the trouble on the trains to school and especially at both South and East Croydon stations, if anyone wants any further info please just PM directly.

Thank you everyone for the great support during these last few months.

Zoomez · 13/02/2021 15:30

Sorry another thing I did notice was security guards outside the school, I have not seen this at other schools but I full admit to being paranoid. Thanks for the personal messages. MN is a great place.

We are going to think over the next few days. We don't intend the hold the place until we intend to take it.

I can not fault the school otherwise but for us it is a long journey and being concerned about that journey and safety.

AveEldon · 13/02/2021 15:36

Security is there to protect the whole site - they don't have locked gates so you can just walk or drive in - security can then direct visitors as necessary

Zoomez · 13/02/2021 15:37

OK sure, got it AveEldon. Thank you!

Walkingtheplank · 13/02/2021 18:50

I dont see the guards (or porters) at the Whitgift gate as protecting the school/boys from outsiders. I see them as being there to guide people to the right location or stop incoming traffic to let coaches out. If they're trying to stop people coming in they're trying to stop those parents who inexplicably want to deliver their child to the front door. DS would be mortified I did that.

Seeline · 13/02/2021 18:55

True nity use East Croydon, and I am not aware of any safety issues. My DS used it for 7 years without any problems.

South Croydon is barely used by anyone other than Whitgift.

Walkingtheplank · 13/02/2021 18:58

At Whitgift we have a year group WhatsApp group which is fairly active e.g. this week talking about the half term grade sheets arriving. Also have individual groups for the tutor group but ours hasn't been used for about a month. Not much to talk about at the moment with lockdown!

Goingcrazy101 · 13/02/2021 21:55

Re What’s App groups: these do start to peter out I’ve found from yr 9 onwards. We still have one and a lovely class rep who organises gifts for teachers etc and parents sometimes ask questions but generally the boys by y8/9/10 are expected to manage stuff themselves so less if any parental involvement should be required really

bigbird1969 · 14/02/2021 08:47

My DS is at W and we have a year group what’s app group and a local area what’s app group. Where the parents get together for drinks. ( pre lockdown) no safety concerns and my DS gets two trains to school although due to lockdown he gets the school bus that collects him from the house.

Yey22 · 14/02/2021 08:53

I have a son at Trinity, no issues re safety. He travels from east Croydon with a crowd of trinity boys. The bus routes are good if that is an option for people.
Again I think the security at W is to direct and control the traffic rather than a safety feature as the gates tend to be open.

Good luck all with your decisions

Original poster
Onvacation · 14/02/2021 10:15

I am hoping one of the existing Trinity parents can answer/reassure me. I know further up there was talk of a buddy system for boys travelling on public transport, but I wanted to reassure myself that would apply from Beckenham. We could get 1 stop (or two) on the school coach, but given buses are free and there is one that is really pretty near, that feels like the most reasonable choice (and certainly the most cost effective). But I would worry about my 10 year old going alone. I would mind less with two 10 year olds, but would be most happy with an older boy for a little while. Would that be a thing? And did any of the existing parents have boys who did that? Did it go okay? Thanks 😊

OP posts:
Seeline · 14/02/2021 11:52

I'm not aware of that @Onvacation. I think they use 6th formers to help at Clapham Junction and at East Croydon, but not sure about Beckenham. There will be other Trinity boys doing the journey though so he can look out for the uniform. You will be surprised how quickly they get used to the travel. Make sure you do practice runs over the summer, and give instructions as to what to do if the bus/train is cancelled. Useful apps on their phones are helpful.

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