Trinity vs St Dunstan's College

[zvmz8kurdnsmp]

We now need to make a decision between these two for 11+ entry. Keen to understand the culture of the schools - both heads articulate their ethos and values v clearly - kindness, humility, inclusion - all v important to us. However always good to hear what's it really like for those with recent experience of the schools. Particularly interested to know if being single sex, whether trinity feels overly 'male/laddish' or not. Any thoughts welcome- thanks.

DS is at Trinity and in no way would I call it “laddish” or male. What we heard at the open days - a kind, friendly, humble, inclusive environment - is exactly what you get. The HM and teachers consistently reinforce this - and the boys behave accordingly - it’s heartening to see.

It definitely isn't laddish. The atmosphere is one of respect where everyone is valued. My DS was there for 8 years and DD is in the U6. I think being one of about 45 girls in a year group of about 150 boys, I think she would have noticed any laddish behaviour.

@Sailingby @Seeline
Thank you both - That's really heartening to hear. We certainly picked up the kind and humble vibe from the open days and through the application process however we'd been passed some other feedback which countered that- glad that's not your experiences.

I think you will always have both negative and positive feedback for all schools. A all boys school will always be different from a Co-Ed school. My son loves trinity and I feel it’s very inclusive and I have friends that love St Dun. You have to work out what is the best fit for your child. I would go with your gut rather than peoples opinions.

I think in an a predominantly boys environment, you are bound to get some with a more laddish approach to life. But T is brilliant at ensuring that all types of boys can find their spot. And definitely encourage a respectful and humble environment, and ensure that the pupils know how lucky they are, enabling them to give back when the can.

@Yey22

I think you will always have both negative and positive feedback for all schools. A all boys school will always be different from a Co-Ed school. My son loves trinity and I feel it’s very inclusive and I have friends that love St Dun. You have to work out what is the best fit for your child. I would go with your gut rather than peoples opinions.

Thank you. I totally agree with you to go with gut and normally that's exactly what I do and I try to drown out noise from others however we are genuinely torn bet the two here and can't hear what my gut is telling me

It’s such a hard decision …maybe look around again?

1. Remember they are both great schools you can’t really make a wrong decision
2. If you do nothing is ever set in stone
3. Does your son have a preference?

Goodluck

We are making the same decision, so I was very pleased to see your thread! We really like both schools for the reasons given above, so have a difficult decision to make.
I'd love to hear the opinions of some St Dunstan's parents. I know a couple of ex teachers from the school, but they were there 10 years ago(and aren't v complimentary) so I'd love to hear some current first hand experiences.
I have also heard recently that Trinity pushes boys in terms of workload and h/w etc, which I am slightly concerned about. Is this the experience of other Trinity parents?

The boys are busy at trinity but not unmanageable. The academic expectation is high but again I feel in a supportive way. I will let St Dun parents answer but I think they do get do get a lot of homework, I know my sons friend do.

SDC said to expect 1.5 hour a night for homework from when they start. From memory I think trinity said they go a little easier for the first term or two to build up.

OK, interesting it sounds like St D's also have loads of h/w. Maybe lots of homework is inescapable in schools now. I was hoping for some relief for a few years after the ringer of the 11+.
Thanks for replying.

From memory, Trinity homework is lighter in the first couple of terms in Y7. They encourage boys to be “busy” in the broadest sense: sport, clubs, music, socialising with friends and homework - so a balanced approach. In Year 9 homework ramps up a bit, but DS still easily managed lunchtime and after school clubs every day and a commute! Some boys get homework done quicker than others - and that will be true whatever the school. I have friends with DSs at St Dunstans, and they’re very happy there.

I can only comment about T, but it is certainly not laddish in any way, they actually do a lot of work on toxic masculinity, kindness to others etc. The atmosphere is very supportive and friendly, great pastoral care, whilst expectations on behaviour and academic are high.
As a school, it is very inclusive and diverse (for an independent school at least), helped by a generous bursary and scholarship fund. Very down to earth and grounded I would say.

Interested as we are in a similar poistion with a scholarship offer at St D and another one at Whitgift, smaller one at T and full fees at Alleyns ad Dulwich College. Lots to consider ( ££££ vs distance/culture etc)
My son felt the academic scholarship interview at St D was not challenging and feels like it will be less strong academically. He comes from state school where he has felt bored for a long time and with the other offers available I would like to hear from St D parents their views on how the school challenges and supports more academic children or at least those children who want a challenge.
Thanks!

Not sure what St Dunstabs offers but Trinity offers the opportunity to study 2 languages and Latin all the way up A level if wished. Not all schools offer this.
We are at Trinity now. DS is sporty but even amongst the sporty crowd I have never witnessed toxic alpha male behaviour. The homework is manageable but they are never allowed to sit on their laurels. Testing is frequent from year 9 onwards.

St Ds is high on marketing, low on pastoral care, IMO

I don’t know anything about Trinity.

DD is at St Dustans, she is happy there and doing well. We chosen it because of the warm, happy atmosphere. She is challenged and busier now with GCSEs but It is not a hot house like other schools in the area. Also, we wanted her to be a easy to commute to.

They do 2 languages until they start GCSES and I then they have to choose 1, unless you have a second language and get the chance to do 2.

I don’t think is poor in pastoral care but It us becoming more selective and probably want the kids who can do well in exams as that is what many people focus on.

We didn’t choose it for DD2 as she is not very academic and would have struggled with the work.

Am a St Dunstan's parent of an academically able child (has an academic scholarship and got a Sutton grammar place which we turned down). I would consider location as an important factor - a lot of St Dunstan's kids live within 2 or 3 miles of the school, and that's highly helpful for social life and after school activities - I'd definitely consider SDC more strongly if you live close by, really makes a difference as they become more independent.
We very much like the school culture, which we and our child see as friendly, liberal and progressive. The girls and boys seem to treat one another with friendliness and respect (on the whole), which is a big plus, and we feel it's a good place for teenagers to grow up with decent and realistic attitudes to the opposite sex, very important in these times.
They seem to attract high quality teaching staff, especially recently, and academically (apart form the odd boring teacher) it's seemed to be stimulating and engaging without being a hothouse. We've felt our academically bright son is relaxed and happy in a school with some range of ability in a way he perhaps might not be in a more highly selective environment, but that plenty is still expected of him. Results are good and lots go to Russell Group universities, with a good handful of Oxbridge offers this year. Homework load seems low to us (emphasis on revision rather than homework in the GCSE years).
Extra-curricular (the Forder programme) is really good and interesting, with music a growing strength. So I'd recommend, especially if you are nearby, would like a friendly, lively and progressive environment, and maybe have a scholarship offer as an added attraction.

Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to reply about both schools. It is really useful to hear the responses of current parents. We are visiting both school(plus one more) over the next week before making our decision.

We have 2 at St Ds and in my experience , if you're child us academically sound and not in need if any help, then all will be fine. Quite a different kettle of fish if the child needs help. The school is focusing more and more on results, and heading towards the hothouse that it claims not to be.Our experience has been very different from what we feel has been marketed to us. My advice is to take the marketing spiel with a good pinch of salt. Good luck in your search.

Thanks everyone - really helpful. @verybadhairdoo is your experience in relation to SEN at all? I'm interested to know what provision they have for that particularly for high functioning and therefore quite subtle needs

Interesting comments. We have a good scholarship offer at ST D that makes it very appealing, but as many if you have mentioned, marketing is pretty strong ( cannot believe the amount if events on site and oline they are providibg next week) so it is hard to judg. It does seem like a great school to grow up as a teenager. My concern though is how strong it is academically. This mainly comes from.my son who mentioned that the academic interview felt easier and less interesting/challenging than others. After 3 years being bored in his state school where he never got challenged, it is something he is looking forward to ( for how long I am not sure 🤣) I don't want a hot house but having 5 offers om the table it is hard to understand where he will fit better.

We've found the school, and some teachers in particular, helpful and supportive during a family crisis and are aware of positive experiences in relation to bright children with a low level of special needs, but my sense is that they are not geared to more severe difficulties.

They are strong on marketing - but for us the reality has seemed to be at least reasonably close to what's being promoted - but this is for an able child who (fingers crossed) has probably been pretty easy to support and teach. My impression is of a wider range of ability than at the most prestigious schools, but a substantial number towards the top end of the range. Perhaps in keeping with their ambitions, they do seem very interested in the brightest kids, and I would say on the whole do manage to keep them in mind in their teaching and challenge and invest time in them - our child was also bored at primary, but on the whole has not been at SDC, and has also been very engaged by some of the co-curricular offer. But still, probably not the same as a school in which most are towards the top end - but some benefits of this in terms of the atmosphere, and, if you are in SE London, it's a more local school in its catchment area than for example the Dulwich schools seem to be.
Tricky choice if you have five to choose from! We talked to lots of teachers at the post-offer reception and found this pretty helpful in making a decision - on the whole we feel the experience has corresponded to the impression we got then.

@zvmz8kurdnsmp Which school did you choose in the end? Was Trinity or St Dunstan's good with subtle accommodations for your High Functioning child with additional needs?