10+ entry for secondary schools 2026

[Ready0rNot]

Hi, starting a new thread for those with children who are sitting for the 10+ exams this year.

Has anyone started prep yet and if so how is it going along with mock tests and reading habits etc. Keen to hear from others and share tips here!

Our target schools are Trinity and Whitgift.

Congratulations- my DS got Whitgift (10+) 🥳

Good morning all. Now the results are out how is everyone feeling? Hoping everyone got the offers they were hoping for and can comfortably enjoy the half term holidays!

We’ve got offers from Trinity and Whitgift and now face the age old problem of which one to accept! My son is certain he wants to accept Whitgift but I see him more at Trinity. I know they’re both fabulous but really quite different. This is going to be tough!

Tough decision but great decision to have! Taster day may help make the choice easier?
Both schools are fantastic in their own ways which is why we applied for both. Ultimately we have gone for Trinity.

We will also be going for Trinity, as it was our first choice. For those who received academic scholarships, may I ask what percentage was offered?

Hi all, just wordering if either whitgift or trinity offered any scholarships at 10+ this year? Thank you and congrats to all who got offers!

@Ready0rNot and @Nov2025 shared further above the thread that their sons received academic scholarships at Trinity.

Wondering if anyone here got their sons accepted at both Emanuel and Trinity 10+ and if so, which one they are leaning towards? We are going to use the taster days to help decide but wanted to check with this group too!

We got 10%!

That's brilliant. Congrats!

10% too!

Hi all, hope you’re well and narrowing in on a decision! Needed some advice re: Trinity. Our prep school is steering us away from it a bit, suggesting that they’re going co-ed because they’re potentially struggling with applications dropping, and not filling all their places? Has anyone heard anything around this? My understanding was they were growing the school rather than having the same number of pupils with an even girl/boy split, so I didn’t think applicant lists was the driver…?

I really dont think thats true at all as they are still oversubscribed! My son joined Jbugs Sept 25 and we knew a number of people who were placed on the waiting list at the time and others who were not offered a place. They will be taking on more pupils when they go co-ed not keeping to the same numbers.

I think it is fear mongering. Looking at the taster day yesterday, it was busy. Looking at the fact that the Whitgift foundation closed the girls school a couple of years ago means that it was obvious that sooner or later Trinity would become more co ed given that Whitgift is boys only. Trinity got 45 million pounds from the foundation to invest in the school and they are building 3 storey building etc - don’t think they are struggling or that the foundation would invest in something that’s underperforming! They also said they are growing to 1400 pupils in total in phases.
But go with your gut feeling - if you don’t think it is the right place, go with your other offer. I mean, if push comes to shove and your child is not happy (in any school in general) you just change schools. It’s a big decision of course and you hope to make the right one for your family but if it does not work out you just find another school. HTH

It does feel though that Trinity is at a point of transition, whereas Whitgift seems stable. Will Mr Kennedy stay at Trinity long term after so many years of talking so strongly about his belief in the strength of a boys only education? 🤷🏽‍♀️👍Will the addition of girls throughout change the feeling of the school? Undoubtedly. I’m sure not for the worse, but nonetheless, it’s an unknown. Also will the school be in slight disarray during the building works? It’s these aspects of change and uncertainly that are making the decision difficult for me.

@Nov2025 @Rockinboppin @Tolibot25 all good points, thank you! So many variables to consider…

If it helps, we have been really impressed with Trinity so far. Although works have started within the school our DS hasnt experienced any disruptions at all and actually the new areas look impressive! Our son is academically strong, quite reserved, likes his sports and music enough to be involved but its not his main focus. The pastoral care is great and there is a feeling that the school genuinely care about the boy's wellbeing as well as results! I know boys who have just joined Whitgift in 2025 that are not experiencing the same with it providing more of an 'alpha male' sports driven environment but appreciate everyone's experience may be different!

I shared some of these concerns at first. After the taster day and hearing directly from Mr Kennedy about the investment and long-term plans, I feel reassured about the direction of the school. Many schools are moving towards co-ed and there are real positives in giving children a broader, more balanced environment.

Ultimately we chose Trinity because it feels like the right fit for our DS. He is academic but wants a well-rounded experience where he can explore sport, art and other interests without being boxed into one path. Whitgift has a strong all-boys culture which suits many boys and works brilliantly for some families, but for ours Trinity feels like the better match.
It’s also slightly closer to us too which is another factor which always helps!

My DS went through Trinity 11-18 and my daughter is now in 6th form there. I have had no sense at all that it is under-subscribed. I would fully recommend the school - we have loved the grounded ethos and relatively diverse cohort, fantastic stretch/opportunities - and they really do care and provide excellent pastoral support. The school is extremely well-run - both at strategic level, where decisions are thoughtful and well-communicated, and also on a day to day basis. Going fully co-ed will undoubtedly be a big change, but I would trust the school to manage the transition well. I think it's an exciting development for them, and to be honest am rather sad that it hasn't happened in time for my youngest daughter!

Thank you both @pillarandpot @Ready0rNot , very reassuring. I will set our school right!

Does your DS have a preference? Might be an easier decision to make!

Good luck to all who have to make the tough decision between schools 🤞

Has anyone got any thoughts on Whitgift? Even though our DS was only offered a place there and not Trinity- we want to make sure we are also making the right decision. We are seeing the school tomorrow for an offer tour so hopefully we will get a better sense after that.

Are both schools world's apart?

He loves all the top 4! They’re all great schools - it’s a good problem to have we have our last offer holders morning tomorrow and will then decide over the weekend. This was very reassuring though, and I don’t want our school to put off other Trinity offer holders, either for this year or the future as it’s such a great place!

Our friend has an older son (year 8) there now, and they rave about it, from every perspective. They find it a very inclusive, happy place, and say their son has come on leaps and bounds - which they give the school all credit for.

Thanks - thats reassuring x