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Original poster

Thoughts on Thomas's College Richmond - those with offers and those at the primaries!

131 replies

Nottoolongtogo · 15/02/2025 18:25

Interested to hear from anyone who is currently at Thomas's for primary and if they have any info on the College in Richmond and how many are seriously considering it for Year 7?

Also interested in thoughts of those with offers and whether you are seriously considering it. Has anyone's child been awarded a Founders Scholarship and if so, are you seriously considering it?

Thank you!

OP posts:
TwoInARow2020 · 28/02/2025 22:23

We were there this morning as well. I also think the head is brilliant, but would have liked to have met some more teaching staff and my DD was a bit tuned out as hard to get excited about a school if you can’t see it

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 28/02/2025 22:13

MoiraT · 28/02/2025 15:35

I attended the offer-holder event this morning and, again, was very impressed by the senior leadership. The new head is so passionate that, even if we don’t go, I want it to be a success for him. I love the location too. The academic rigour does give me pause for thought as they are focussing quite a bit on creativity and alternative ways of testing and learning and, for me, that’s new and I’d have to get my head round it. I’m not 100% sure what sort of child they’re gearing towards.

I think there isn’t one type, they want a mix of children, but they like children who are a bit more quirky rather than filtering for only academic children, kind of in the vein of their relatively wacky playfulness of mind paper.

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MoiraT · 28/02/2025 15:35

I attended the offer-holder event this morning and, again, was very impressed by the senior leadership. The new head is so passionate that, even if we don’t go, I want it to be a success for him. I love the location too. The academic rigour does give me pause for thought as they are focussing quite a bit on creativity and alternative ways of testing and learning and, for me, that’s new and I’d have to get my head round it. I’m not 100% sure what sort of child they’re gearing towards.

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 23/02/2025 21:58

Jp1909 · 22/02/2025 13:46

My DS (yr9) and DD (yr7) heading there. Headmaster is very impressive, mixed school, good size, great campus, toured both preps and Putney vale (couple years ago) and liked the vibe and teachers. Thought the founding scholarship offer was a smart move. DS awarded a masters award which helped lock us in. But logistics and overall offer/ philosophy already had us really interested in comparison to others. Will be on train from CJ, 4 9min trains an hour.

Good to hear, may I ask which schools you were also considering?

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TwoInARow2020 · 22/02/2025 14:06

Are there any current Thomas’ parents on here?

Jp1909 · 22/02/2025 13:46

My DS (yr9) and DD (yr7) heading there. Headmaster is very impressive, mixed school, good size, great campus, toured both preps and Putney vale (couple years ago) and liked the vibe and teachers. Thought the founding scholarship offer was a smart move. DS awarded a masters award which helped lock us in. But logistics and overall offer/ philosophy already had us really interested in comparison to others. Will be on train from CJ, 4 9min trains an hour.

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 20/02/2025 22:35

Luna202 · 20/02/2025 20:30

We still have to attend the offer day meeting but after doing a lot of research, speaking to parents of children currently at Thomas’s, and comparing it with other schools, we believe this is the best option for us. (joining at Year 7)

That's great, we are still considering it and the offer holder day should be useful. Can I ask what other schools you have in your list?

OP posts:
Luna202 · 20/02/2025 20:30

We still have to attend the offer day meeting but after doing a lot of research, speaking to parents of children currently at Thomas’s, and comparing it with other schools, we believe this is the best option for us. (joining at Year 7)

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 20/02/2025 18:45

Luna202 · 20/02/2025 15:00

Congrats to all who received offers! My son was really impressed with the teachers he met during the assessments and open day. I also liked the school’s new approach to GCSEs, and the headmaster has an impressive track record. I checked the 2024 GCSE results—74% of grades were 9-7—not bad at all, especially considering that Harrodian and Ibstock had similar results. Overall, the school seems like a great option, and with strong investor backing, its future looks promising

Are you going to send him to Thomas’s? Is he joining at year 7?

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Luna202 · 20/02/2025 15:00

Congrats to all who received offers! My son was really impressed with the teachers he met during the assessments and open day. I also liked the school’s new approach to GCSEs, and the headmaster has an impressive track record. I checked the 2024 GCSE results—74% of grades were 9-7—not bad at all, especially considering that Harrodian and Ibstock had similar results. Overall, the school seems like a great option, and with strong investor backing, its future looks promising

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 17/02/2025 22:20

Busy77 · 17/02/2025 16:45

I imagine they are still doing the shuttle bus from Richmond station - I meant a wider school bus. Some schools do, some don't but they did say last year they weren't - I was wondering if they'd changed their minds.

These are good questions and I think good to ask at the offer holder day as I don’t think they’ve updated anything on their website since we applied as far as I can tell.

What others choices are you considering against?

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Busy77 · 17/02/2025 16:45

I imagine they are still doing the shuttle bus from Richmond station - I meant a wider school bus. Some schools do, some don't but they did say last year they weren't - I was wondering if they'd changed their minds.

TwoInARow2020 · 17/02/2025 16:36

Busy77 · 17/02/2025 14:26

Does anyone know if they are operating a waiting list too and also if they've changed their mind about doing a school bus. We are holding an offer too.

Are they not doing a bus anymore?

TwoInARow2020 · 17/02/2025 16:35

We’re looking at it against Hampton, KGS, Ibstock and LU

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 17/02/2025 16:24

TwoInARow2020 · 16/02/2025 23:49

We also have an offer from Thomas’ College and are seriously considering it. My concern is that it is a real unknown entity and we are yet to meet a single teacher. It feels like we would be putting a lot of faith into it, and turning down some other very strong offers to do so. Having said that, I have really bought into the new head there.

did your child get offered a founders scholarship and what other schools are you considering? I think the offer holder days will be very interesting and a chance to ask questions, but still it’s hard to be sure given it’s new…

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Avebury · 17/02/2025 16:08

DS heading there for 6th form swayed by the warm and friendly staff we met at open days and interview days.

Busy77 · 17/02/2025 14:26

Does anyone know if they are operating a waiting list too and also if they've changed their mind about doing a school bus. We are holding an offer too.

TwoInARow2020 · 16/02/2025 23:49

We also have an offer from Thomas’ College and are seriously considering it. My concern is that it is a real unknown entity and we are yet to meet a single teacher. It feels like we would be putting a lot of faith into it, and turning down some other very strong offers to do so. Having said that, I have really bought into the new head there.

AmberDachs · 16/02/2025 18:12

Don’t have any vested interest but the head of the new school is very well thought of at the place he is currently overseeing; this is sad for my DD as prospective parents (like me!) looking at the school he’s currently at for next year are wondering about whether future standards will be as high!

farfallarocks · 16/02/2025 17:23

Yes several did not get offers having been told in year 5 they could be confident of an offer.
They have definitely upped the academic level albeit not super selective still.
Progressive, future focused, strong character building, drama and dance tend to be excellent at Thomas’s and so is sport. The location and the building along with co ed and a good headmaster are all promising. Of course it’s new so there is no real
established culture.
I know they are keen to get away from GCSEs longer term.

SWLondon2 · 16/02/2025 17:13

@farfallarocks Did some from the Thomas’s prep schools not get offers to Thomas’s College then? It would be very useful to know how they’re marketing it to the parents please as it’s such an unknown. Thanks

farfallarocks · 16/02/2025 17:00

Very happy prep school parent here!
love the ethos and agree they upped the academic standard hugely this year, much to a lot of families disappointment who had been assured they would get a place.
Any new school is a gamble of course but I suspect this will be a strong contender in a couple of years

Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 16/02/2025 16:39

avoforall · 15/02/2025 20:42

We have an offer, are seriously considering it, but finding it difficult to get opinions on the place / Thomas's in general. Do you have other offers? I'm interested to hear where else ppl have offers from to try and gauge the level at which Thomas's college have offered.

To answer this question we have offers from Kings, KGS, Ibstock as well, and there is also the chance of Tiffin...

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Original poster
Nottoolongtogo · 16/02/2025 11:45

WhiteMagnolia · 16/02/2025 09:48

Yes we have a Founding offer too and feel quite in the dark about it. Also have a scholarship offer for a top academic school which is obviously the safer bet so quite torn. Geographically it seems people are applying from West London more than SW London which is also a consideration for us. Anyway we are very keen to hear how many and what calibre of students are taking up places and Founding offers. We are definitely happy with a mixed ability but just wondered if it will actually cater for those who are very academic too. Any intel would be hugely appreciated!

I think it depends who actually takes up the founding scholarships and what the mix of children ends up being in the cohort. I expect most of the founding scholars will be in a similar position and it’s anyone’s guess what the mix ends up being!

we are torn too !!!!

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WhiteMagnolia · 16/02/2025 09:48

Yes we have a Founding offer too and feel quite in the dark about it. Also have a scholarship offer for a top academic school which is obviously the safer bet so quite torn. Geographically it seems people are applying from West London more than SW London which is also a consideration for us. Anyway we are very keen to hear how many and what calibre of students are taking up places and Founding offers. We are definitely happy with a mixed ability but just wondered if it will actually cater for those who are very academic too. Any intel would be hugely appreciated!