Impact of Thomson House school

[schplappo]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows the impact of Thomson House school on the Mortlake catchment area black spot? I understand that many schools added a bulge class for the FY13 reception year so I'm guessing that the addition of Thomson House was not sufficient to cover the area's needs and that for FY14, there will be many children without reception places. Essentially, I'm trying to work out if we need to move house so advice would be very welcome. Thank you!

It got 196 applications of which 40 first preference. Cut-off distance was 644 metres even without siblings. It needs to be inspected by Ofsted before the end of 2014-15. Other application info at the back of here:

www.richmond.gov.uk/admission_to_primary_school.pdf

That link was wrong, sorry - 2014 applications brochure gives last year's cut-off details:

www.richmond.gov.uk/primary_admission.pdf

Thanks Muminlondon!

Hi MuminLondon
I am clearly a bit stupid here, but if there were 48 places and 40 applied with a 1st choice, does that mean that everyone who applied with this 1st choice was given a place and therefore the distance is not relevant ? I havn't had my morning coffee yet as you can see...

I think 2nd-6th prefs were offered too - those who otherwise wanted Barnes, East Sheen, Sheen Mount or Catholic schools in that area with even smaller cut-off distances (because siblings take half the intake). The cut-off is for all preferences.

Dons, I don't think it means all 40 who put it first got a place. Let's say Applicant A put it first and live 900m from the school and Applicant B put it third but lives 300m from the school. The school doesn't know where you put it in terms of choice ranking. It will offer B a place ahead of A. If B's first and second choices have rejected her because of their criteria (eg, distance) then B will be offered a place at this school, even thoughit was only her third choice. Applicant A mised out even though it was her first choice because of distance.

Yes I get it now...thanks!

Now I'm really puzzled about something. Is it a school with two headteachers? No Richmond state primary has this. But would it even be usual for a private school?

There was a headteacher appointed last November called Claire Doland.

But now there is also a principal called Diana Maine.

Just wondering who is actually in charge?

No one thinks this is odd? No mention of Claire Doland in the Parents Handbook or as part of the teaching team. Yet the DfE still lists her as the head. Has she left or been told to leave?

Just anecdotal evidence but we live over near Palewell Park and none of our neighbours got into East Sheen Primary for this year's entry (just under 800m away) but one tried for Thomson House (about 900m) instead and did get in. Currently doing ok there and impressed by it by the sounds of it.

From the website it looks like they changed head teacher recently so DfE is most probably out of date. I'll get the goss from my trusty neighbour!

Bit out of date but saw this thread and though I'd post what I know about the head teacher matter at Thomson House. The initial head did not have her contract renewed and the follow up principal was only ever interim to recruit a new head. This has been done, very successfully, and the interim remains as a consultant.
Hopefully the DfE will be updated by now but the initial results coming out are very good.

'headmistress', 'seamstress', 'manageress', 'stewardess'... they all sound very 1970s. I don't think I'm the only one who finds this usage rather old-fashioned.

But interesting to see how much more male-dominated the private sector is. The job title of 'headmistress' given on TH's website may have been written by the governors/trustees although perhaps the newsletters were written by the 'headteacher' herself).

I actually went for the open morning to see this school and I was very much impressed with the headmistress. I wish I lived closer to this school so my girl could be accepted :( this would have been my first choice if I were closer :(