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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Trinity & Whitgift 10+/11+ exams 2024 entry

369 replies

SunshineandRainbowMum · 13/09/2023 22:21

Hi everyone,

I'm starting a new thread for those with children who are sitting for the 10+ Trinity and Whitgift exams this year.

I've been lurking for years reading through the 10+ and 11+ past threads, silently sharing in the anxiety, pain and joy of those parents that have come before me 😅.

I can't believe that the time is now here for my DS to sit the 10+ exams.

Are there any other parents that would like to jump on board this thread so we can support each other through the next few months?

OP posts:
PamZg · 17/01/2024 20:41

Is anyone aware of the number of academic scholarships Trinity plans to award for boys applying11+? I spoke with Trinity's Head of Admissions a couple of months ago, and he indicated that the school is working to distribute scholarship funding more widely. They aim to offer scholarships ranging from 10% to 25%, so it's likely that 25% is the highest percentage we can anticipate for multiple scholarships, such as Academic + Music or Academic + Sport.

I was hoping for a more substantial scholarship, but it appears that it is unlikely to happen.

Moresleepandwine · 21/01/2024 20:17

@PamZg , I thought that 10-25% is the range for each scholarship and it can be added together for multiple scholarships. Trinity (and Whitgift) have the most generous scholarships in this area. The other schools we visited offered only honorary scholarships of a few hundred pounds.

Hantsmum123 · 23/01/2024 12:54

Does anyone know about numbers for academic scholarships at T and W. Apparently there were more than 100 boys at W today for the scholarship assessment. That seems like an awful lot

notafraidofthebigbadwolf · 23/01/2024 13:12

Balhamdad11 · 17/01/2024 15:38

We have our 11+ interview coming up for Whitgift. Desperately hoping that he's successful and gets an offer as we love the school, and the fact he's passed the bar on the entrance exam I presume means he'd be able to keep up academically. Does anyone have any insights on likelihood of an offer having got to this stage? I find it crazy that you could 'reject' a 10/11 year old child based on an interview. I know that it's all part of the system for London selective schools, but doesn't sit well with me

I think you can be rather confident unless he gets a particular grilling over something during his interview where there might be academic concerns following the exams. You'll be with him in the room and you'll know. My son (Whitgift year 10) had a very straightforward interview and the offer letter followed soon after. I bet their main aim at interview is to engage your son more fully in the process and to make them more likely to choose Whitgift if they get multiple full-fee offers. Good luck with it all. I remember the emotional rollercoaster well!

notafraidofthebigbadwolf · 23/01/2024 13:26

Folks - the harsh truth is that very few boys are going to get scholarship awards that will give meaningful reductions in fees. Some of you will end up with offers of honorary scholarships that give no reduction in fees at all. And they will want their pound of flesh. Your sons will be there at the Minster singing for the choir late at night on Sundays or having to write and perform at the fringe festival, or will have to give up a beloved Saturday team sport (football?) because they've been assigned to the school's rugby or hockey squads. All these things impact on a family and a 5% or 10% saving in fees doesn't really compensate.

RockaLock · 23/01/2024 14:04

Gosh. What a negative way of looking at things.

Of course the majority of boys will not get a scholarship of any description. They are after all supposed to reward exceptional talent/ability.

However.

My 2 DS both have academic scholarships, one at 20%, and nothing else is required other than a scholars' breakfast once a term - and putting in effort in lessons, which they'd do anyway.

I understand that scholarship amounts may have been reduced recently, but even so, Whitgift Foundation scholarships are generally know for being far more generous than most schools. I know plenty of boys with 30%+ for music or sport or academics.

And tbh if the school gives you a chunky scholarship, then why wouldn't you expect to give them something in return, be it performing for the school or playing matches?

If your son is required to sing at Croydon Minster, then presumably they are a choral scholar and as such enjoy singing, so where is the hardship for the child? DS1 only took up singing at T, so no scholarship, but really enjoyed singing at the Minster, as well as at more glamorous locations! If you CBA to drop him off at school for these - then give back the scholarship.

Presumably if you are awarded a sports scholarship, then you'd already be ferrying your DC to matches and practices all the time anyway. But if you don't want the commitment - give back the scholarship.

Are there many honorary scholarships at W & T? I am only aware of a few non-fee-reduction awards for music - but the child gets free music lessons, so that's a saving of £295 a term, it's not just honorary.

Finally, even a 5% reduction is more than £1,000 off the annual fees, which is not to be sniffed at imho.

Pretz123 · 23/01/2024 17:11

My son has a decent sports scholarship at W, I can't fault them for their pastoral and wraparound care in all aspects of school life - they're also very encouraging of trying out and participating in sports other than the one his scholarship is based on.

As with majority of secondary schools they are expected to play on a Saturday when selected....my son continues to play his league sports on a Sunday quite happily.....

Pollypocket81 · 23/01/2024 20:55

"I think you can be rather confident unless he gets a particular grilling over something during his interview where there might be academic concerns following the exams. You'll be with him in the room and you'll know. My son (Whitgift year 10) had a very straightforward interview and the offer letter followed soon after. I bet their main aim at interview is to engage your son more fully in the process and to make them more likely to choose Whitgift if they get multiple full-fee offers. Good luck with it all. I remember the emotional rollercoaster well!"

this sounds very positive - do you mean that most of those interviewed for W or T are offered a place?

londonlady2023 · 24/01/2024 07:09

In my DS’s Whitgift 11+ interview he did get asked a couple of academic English questions re literary devices etc which was surprising. He could answer them fine. And he said he didn’t get many of the usual questions like why W? The interviewer said to us that he did fine in the exams but I read into it that comprehension was his weakest though met their benchmark fine. Should I be worried? We love W and everyone says their interviews are easy. Did anyone else’s child get any academic questions. I’m a little worried hearing that there were over 100 at the academic assessment. What about the non scholarship people? Hope they still get a good shot.

Balhamdad11 · 24/01/2024 08:06

Our boy got asked to read a poem and answer some questions about it. But apparently he was within the range they expected for comprehension and was ‘towards the very top’ at creative writing and critical thinking papers. Another boy in his class was also asked comprehension questions and this particular boy has done very well in his exams (Passing Dulwich, City)…. So I wouldn’t read too much into it. Agree that over 100 boys at scholarship assessment is a little worrying! But they’ll probably offer over 200 places to fill the 120 (I’m guessing) so still plenty of spaces

londonlady2023 · 24/01/2024 09:24

@Balhamdad11 you have made me feel much better knowing others like your DS also got English questions. I was a bit worried because I read into the read out from the interviewer that my DS’ comprehension was the weakest though met their benchmark. Maths, critical thinking and creative writing strong. So wondered if he got singled out as there might have been a worry. But I expect I’m overthinking! Need to not over analyse. It’s hard when a school emerges as a favourite and therefore you care more.

Hedgehog27 · 24/01/2024 10:54

Re Saturday sport & outside activities...our DS1 joined T in Year 6 and has really enjoyed Saturday sport. He's gone from being a non sporty boy initially selected for E & F squads to playing sport at a higher level both inside and outside of school. He really loves playing for the school and enjoys connecting with his friends at the weekend. It's also quite a nice social opportunity for parents too and a good way to be part of the school community. DS1 has also joined CCF which is another reason to be at school outside of formal hours but he loves it all and is very happy. We've applied for 11+ for our younger son who had his interview last week. Fingers crossed, we would love him to have the same experience

F1okoboji · 24/01/2024 11:04

Good luck to everyone

adnatiktok · 24/01/2024 18:44

my son got invited for interview for W and then the following day we received email asking him to come back for academic scholarship. is this normal?

flashinhk · 25/01/2024 14:45

Hi all, re the 10+ of T and W, did anyone hear from the Foundation about the bursary after the interview? Thanks

Moresleepandwine · 26/01/2024 12:45

Did anyone have the opportunity to meet Mr Kennedy at Trinity during their DS interview?

We had a separate meeting with him while DS was being interviewed for the 10+ and came away somewhat disappointed. He was nice but we felt he was too focused on exam results. He also had some worrying comments to make about SEN and prep schools.

Trinity was always our first choice and we had been very impressed with Mr Kennedy until now but we are now wondering if we have seen the true face of the school instead.

Has anyone had any similar experiences with Trinity? Would love some feedback from current parents!

F1okoboji · 26/01/2024 14:07

Can I ask what Mr Kennedy said about Sen schools and prep schools. I gather it was derogative. You could pm me as I really would like to know where you are coming from. Thank you moresleepandwine

Pollypocket81 · 26/01/2024 17:28

Please could you PM me too? I have an SEN son and want to make sure we make right decision.

RockaLock · 26/01/2024 18:37

It might help posters if you could give us an idea of what Mr K said. SEN covers a wide range of things and you might get more helpful replies from people in similar situations.

For example, DS2 is deaf and has physical problems, but we have always found the school to be very helpful and supportive of him.

Moresleepandwine · 26/01/2024 19:28

@RockaLock , that's good to hear! I was trying not to out DS. He has ADHD. Mr K implied the prep schools hand out accommodations and set parents up for disappointment when it comes to GCSEs. Trinity prefers not to give these accomodations upfront so it's not "unfair" if some children get extra time that others do not.
We were concerned at his blanket dismissal of prep schools and their judgement and his attitude that it's "unfair" for neurotypical children if a neurodiverse child receives extra time.

SoupDragon · 26/01/2024 19:57

They certainly aren't against extra time and other accommodations. Through my DSs I know a number who have had them for various reasons. (I also know the SENCO and who is lovely and cares a lot about getting it right)

As an aside, DS went through the school with undiagnosed ADHD and they managed him well.

Moresleepandwine · 26/01/2024 20:53

@SoupDragon , it's reassuring that your DS had a good experience though I wonder if this is a recent change in approach.

Since Mr K specifically told us it would have been unfair to other children to grant DS extra time in the exam, there's no ambiguity here. Every teacher we have spoken to at Trinity has been lovely but we are finding it hard to discount his words. This is why I am looking for reassurance from current parents.

RockaLock · 26/01/2024 20:59

If you get offered a place, then I would ask to see the SENCO before accepting.

Before we applied for DS2 (although DS1 was already there) I met with one of the deputy heads to discuss DS2, and then saw the SENCO after the offer, to make sure that they could handle him.

Moresleepandwine · 26/01/2024 22:08

Thank you @RockaLock , that's good advice!

JustAmum1986 · 28/01/2024 07:27

I applied for bursary discounts at both T & W at 10+ 2024 entry but wasn’t put forward for assessment because DS didn’t score high enough in his entrance exams :-( He scored high enough to pass them though, has had his interviews and scholarship assessments so I thought it very unfair to put him through the whole process when we are not going to be able to afford the full fees. I wish we had known this before applying! I’m living in hope that we get offered a big scholarship discount to help but reading the threads this seems very unlikely too. I’m not even holding my breath for an offer to either school now too because he didn’t ‘score high enough’ in the entrance exams.

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