Sheen mount vs Thompson

[moonchips]

We have moved to the area a year ago and DS will go to school next year. We have realised we are very lucky to be around so many good schools. We are in the catchment of Thompson House and almost in the catchment of Sheen Mount. They both look great. I am not sure which one to put as my first preference.

I have tried searching for some recent threads on these schools but they are quite old now. If anyone's children are going to either of the schools, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

DS is a very social boy. I 'think' he is academic, LOVES the most when I am reading to him, and remembers most of Julia Donaldson's by heart. Likes sports too - is not very adventurous but when encouraged he plays 'some sports' with friends in nursery.

Any thoughts on either of the schools are greatly appreciated. Thank you. :)

Hi I’m local to you . My son started at ESPS but we moved him to the independent sector in Y3. The schools are very different . Sheen mount is an old stalwart , heavily populated by the park side residents altho since the drop in birth rate this has dissipated a bit . Some Children go on from sheen mount to independent seniors with a healthy dose of tutoring . However we have several peers that have removed their children due to behavioural/class issues . Maybe bad luck . Generally the school is considered a safe option especially if planning for independent senior . People love the head. Not sure how much longer he’ll be around for . Great facilities with a pool. Possibly a tendency to be quite clichey with the parents . Thompson house is pretty new on the scene - had just started when my son went and we didn’t want to chance it as no head yet. I’ve only met one parent who wasn’t happy with it and that was because he was super sporty and energetic and TH has v little outside space . We have two sets of friends who moved their children from ESPs and are very happy . As it’s an academy it has more flex with the curriculum and class sizes are slightly smaller . I would suggest getting a call with both heads and obvs going round as soon as it’s allowed as they have very different vibes . Both schools have a good social crowd for parents!

Thank you so much @J33nco for your reply! Very encouraging to see good things about Thomson. As I think he is more likely to get in there as we are so close to it.

I am curious which independent school did you go for? We are 'slightly' considering Tower House. By any chance is it that? Are you / your son happy there?

Hey, no not Tower House. It depends what you want. TH is not a particularly academic school so we chose Kew College (also co ed). We've had a couple of bright boys move from TH to KC because they weren't reaching their potential but it's horses for courses I guess as depends what suits your child, their level and where you're wanting next. KC is a super school - like a traditional primary but with the private school benefits. But, you have to know what you're buying into, parents send their children there because their exit schools are outstanding (you may or may not know that secondary schooling is tricky around here and the independents are fiercely competitive) but that means a commitment to it as a parent - Y5 is pretty full on and there is a lot of homework generally. If you're happy to commit to that then it's a super school with lots of music (amazing music teacher) and 9/10 times very good and understanding teaching. But we are exhausted post 11+ !!!!

I should say Tower House is a great school too, with decent results for the very competitive London boy schools. Kew College is more about results and maths and English, with limited outside space and fitting a narrower type of child. Great school but by no means perfect, depends what experience you want for your child in primary education. New HM from September so wonder what changes will come but I am sure will be for better.

Hi all,

I came across this thread - I am in a similar boat! we are on the waiting list for Sheen Mount (but v high up) and have been offered Thompson House.

any more thoughts from anyone!?

@moonchips where did you get into in the end?

I would be so keen to find out where people go on to from Sheen mount / Thompson house. Does anyone know? I think this is the last year for TH.

from whatI have heard in weighing up options:
class sizes - both have 30 per class, but TH only has 2 intakes while SM has 3

TH - more academic than rest (is this true?!)/ does Spanish (in case that sways you!!) / longer days and longer holiday s- by one day / they do all they can to overcome the lack of space with eg sports in brewery (not ideal but... its space!) and on mortlake green

cons for TH - pollution - espeically with bridge being closed, and cars hanging around the rail track, i worry about their little lungs / perhaps actually not as "social" / "middle classy" "park side" vibe as SM but that isnt necessairly a plus or a con / me being a total paranoid person - i worry sometimes about safety ie they are so exposed at TH playing in a public space every day and by railway

SM - the grounds really sell it. / park side - pollution free, idylic setting, secluded / still v academic - not clear on whether "more" or less.

cons - head is leaving/ has left? / perhaps its not done much to improve since its "hey day" it jus t has a bit of a local cult following?!

one thing i keep thinking of is .... is your kid more a "big fish little pond" / "little fish big pond" type?
maybe they dont feel the impact of the extra 30 kids per year in SM, but maybe they do...

any thoughts please add!

Anyone ?!?