Trinity/Whitgift/Dulwich College 10+/11+ 2021

[2morasmum]

Hello,

as mentioned countless times, I found the previous years' threads very useful, so it is now time to start this year's.

DS sat the 11+ reasoning test at DC yesterday. He'll sit the morning slot at trinity and we are awaiting confirmation of assessment date from Whitgift.

DS is remarkably relaxed so far. I, on the other hand, am a little apprehensive about the next few weeks.

How are everyone else's DSs feeling before "the storm"?

Thanks KillingEvenings that's good to know.

We got interview emails from T and W, anyone knows if they indicate the academic scholarships in the interview invitation or we only know from the formal offers?

I don't think any of the schools will confirm a scholarship has been awarded, or what % they are thinking of giving, at the interviews, as they will probably want to do all the interviews and then rank everyone.

DS2 had a 20% academic from Trinity at 10+. I think were told in our chat with the HM that he was in the top 10-20 for exam performance, but we weren't given any indication of what the % scholarship would be (or even that he would get one! Presumably it is possible for a boy to do so badly at interview that they wouldn't give one after all!)

Rockalock, thank you so much for the information. I saw some other threads, some parents were saying they received academic scholarship interview invitation letter from past years I thought that could be the case. If not then that’s wonderful we might still have a chance ,thank you again:)

From my past experience, I know
W has a special scholarship interview workshop, so if you are invited to that you know you are in the running

Dulwich don't give an indication before offer day. Potential scholars are interviewed (seemingly) with everyone else.

From what I gather
T maybe interviews potential scholars during the week and parents may meet individually with the HM.
Folks not being considered for academic scholarships may be invited on Saturday and there is no 1-to-1 with the head, just a general talk with a dozen or so parents in the room.

I don't know this to be true, but I think I've remembered reading it and Rockalock's experience is not the same we had with DS1 who was offered a place but not scholarship place. Would love to hear if anyone else can tell me I'm wrong though as DS2 has an interview Saturday [grin[

Thank you @RockaLock and @KillingEvenings.

@JJS1612 - we received an email regarding an interview at T 10+ this week and it did mention that DS may be considered for academic scholarship.

@SamanaMinx, thank you for clarifying that:). We got a Saturday interview, so seems it’s a non-scholarship interview. It says,

The interview will take about 15 minutes, though we may ask you to be with us for up to 40 minutes. During this time you will have the opportunity to speak to Mr Kennedy, the Headmaster and senior staff who will be present to answer your questions. There is no need for any additional preparation for the interview which will cover a range of topics. While appreciating that some boys may be feeling nervous, we always do what we can to put boys at their ease.

All offers are made at the Headmaster's discretion.

I guess it’s just a group chat with a dozen of parents…

@JJS1612 when we did it years ago, the boys went off to their individual interviews, and the parents went into a room altogether for a cup of tea where we could mingle. The head (the previous one) made sure he spoke to each set of parents and there were other senior staff to chat to and some existing patents, so plenty of chances for you to ask questions about the school. No individual feed back on your son's performance though. Of course things may have changed in the last 10(!) years.

@Seeline thank you for the info, yeah things might have changed. @SamanaMinx is your DS’s interview on a week day? Just being curious😊

@JJS1612 Yes. DS's interview is on Wednesday.

@SamanaMinx thank you, good luck 🤞

@JJS1612 thank you and good luck to you too.

Seeline's description of Saturday interviews is online with our experience 3 years ago.
So no direct feedback on your child - but very welcoming.

Re T10+
DS1 had a Saturday interview with the group of parents waiting while the boys go off for their interviews with senior staff available to chat to (I don't remember the HM being there but remember chatting to the deputy). DS1 received both academic and co-curricular scholarships.

DS2- weekday interview. While he was in his interview we went in to talk with the HM who gave us feedback on exam performance and was told he was in line for an academic scholarship. DS2 received both academic and co-curricular scholarships.

So while DS1 didn't seem obviously inline for an academic scholarship and had a Saturday interview, both outcomes were similar (albeit the value of DS2's scholarships being larger). So please don't be discouraged with receiving a Saturday interview and think that it can't lead to anything, which is what I had thought based on what I read here.

Sorry, just to clarify - when DS2 was interviewed at T we knew we were in with a very good chance of a scholarship, because his interview was with the head of admissions and we were also "interviewed" by the HM at the same time. This, along with being told he was In the top 20, was the indication that a scholarship was being considered. But we didn't have a clue what % he might get until the offer letter arrived.

For DS1 (no scholarship) he just had a regular Saturday interview as PPs have described, and we didn't have an interview with the HM.

Also the way we were told about progressing to the interview stage was slightly different: DS1, we got a standard "well done, you're through to interview, we'll call you to arrange a time" email, and DS2 we got a phone call from the school to say he'd done "very well" and to arrange the time with the HM etc.

But yes, I agree with PPs - a Saturday interview doesn't rule you out of getting a scholarship, although realistically your chances are probably lower unless your son absolutely nails his interview.

Thank you @inthejunglegeorgeandbungle and @RockaLock, that’s very helpful. We will update once we done the interview. Good luck to everyone🤞🤞🤞

Hi @JJS1612 is this 10+ or 11 interviews ?

@Hopefu76 10+

If your son has been called for interview, then he did well in the exams!!!

I don't think that any school would waste their time calling children for interview if they hadn't done well.

Good luck to everyone interviewing soon!

Just a silly question, if either T or W ask what's your first choice of schools, should we tell our DS just tell the truth or not? Any idea please? A worrying mum:(

JJS1612 Surely if you've secured an interview with a school and you want options - all of them are your first choice - no?!? 😉

@mylyn1024 lol my DS was arguing with me and refuse to “tell a lie”, left a worried DM 😂

@JJS1612 use the standard line that the school being interviewed at the time in your top preference school. Until you get an offer, every application is a priority.

As a note, (and for the record we learnt after the fact) that many schools directly ask the children questionnaire’s, usually post exam - please list favourite hobbies, subjects and ALL the schools you applied for!

Schools know most families apply to 3+ schools..