Richmond sheen mount or Thomson house

[user1494360838]

Hello
Please advise! We have been offered Sheen Mount and 1st on waiting list for Thomson house so I assume we may well get in

I am struggling as it's been covid and we havent been able to look at schools, to envisage where my ddwould be going and where would suit her etc

Please can anyone give advice?
I'm told Thomson house is more like a private school education but I have no idea why?That the sheen mount parents are more middle class esque and the Thomson house are less "fancy"- is this true?
Are there social events for parent sand where are they held?( thinking of proximity form our home as I work insane hours but would like to be involved as much as possible)

We also want to move to private education some point for 11plus most likely- how difficult is this transition if at state school and is there a difference for sheen mount and Thomson house ?

We have been warned that sheen mount was reviewed a long time ago and ofsted report is not recent and that since they expanded to 3 intakes it's not as "outstanding"
Also the headmaster leaving is potentially a spanner in the works?

I've tried calling both schools and certainly Thomson house have been much more accessible in answering queries and offering a tour unlike sheen mount

The other issue is the space at Thomson house - I like the idea that from a safety perspective at sheen mount they stay there and it's safe whereas Thomson house they have to eg play on the green or take the bus swimming. Is this a concern? And the pollution? Which I guess is only to get worst given the Hammersmith bridge closures?

Any help would be so welcome
It's my first and I'm really confused!

Also - we both work. Long hours. Is there a preference for one over the other given the term times and school days differ? Lastly my second child is really big and physical! Anyone have concerns or issues with a similar type kid at Thomson house?

Thanks so much in advance!

Anyone???

Hi, I don’t have children at either as we live nearby but were not in the catchment (would have had to move) but I looked at both schools three years ago. I wouldn’t have thought either have changed much, from what I’ve heard, especially SM which has long been constant.

A few points that might help:

• The head at SM said the split of private/state of leavers was 70/30 respectively so it would suit your plans; it used to be know as an unofficial prep school for what it’s worth!

• If your second child can be v energetic (I have one of these too!) I would definitely choose SM: they have the most amazing grounds, exceptionally big and leafy for a London school, with a wooded/forest area and of course the swimming pool which I believe has just been refurbished.

• I don’t know anything about the head leaving; I did like him a lot on the tour and totally understand your concerns however I think SM’s strength has long been (I mean ever since it was established) the parents. I don’t think they are fancy though my children are an independent school (where the parents aren’t fancy either though obv a very relative term!), but they are all quite similar and of course given the over-subscription/catchment they live nearby which means they all live nearby and unlike say East Sheen, Barnes Primary (and obviously maybe Thomson House) the population is less diverse - no social housing nearby etc.

• I liked the head and staff at TH but just couldn’t get over the lack of space especially in a new school and the fact that they were constantly going out/off the premises. Admittedly most schools don’t have SM’s facilities but TH felt like it was the other end of the spectrum in terms of space and facilities. I didn’t really worry about the safety but it just wasn’t ideal.

• Be aware that while SM might send lots of leavers to private schools, it is mostly NOT to the top tier of eg St Paul’s, King’s, etc. Not the school’s fault and there will be many reasons for this on top of which 11+ is fierce and the private schools alone present so many applicants. SM is still an excellent school and probably does as well as a state primary can do.

In your position I would go for Sheen Mount without hesitation. I have a lot of sympathy for you, it’s hard enough to choose a school in normal times without not being able to visit!
But I have to be honest that I don’t see this as any choice at all, SM clear winner. Hope this helps.

hey - thank you SO much for helping on this. it really helps. We arent clear yet whether we will even get in off the waiting list (or go down!) but this is so helpful for us to have a steer and a viewpoint on what the schools have to offer. the outside space bit is such a thorn in TH's side..
the whole tutoring thing sounds horrific im not sure how we will navigate that for 11+! thank you so much

Hi, I am in a similar situation. I visited Thomson house last week and my thing was the space also.

Is it just those two you are looking at?

hey - well those are the 2 topping our list. is your child starting in september?
its so hard as i keep being told TH is so great and like a private school... but i have no idea why! it is 30 less per year than SM though... so its like Barnes Prim in that sense. we didnt apply to BP as no chance of getting in!

@Beckywithspecs where else are you looking and what were your thoughts on TH compared to any others you have seen?

thanks!

Check the after school club options. It sounds like you will need them. Smaller schools can struggle with offering as much after school care.

We know people with children at Thompon House who are very happy there. Some quite energetic!

Let's be honest, both are great schools so don't stress too much. Go for whichever is closest

yep.
the leavers list from SM is actually confusing..only lists 59 kids, and some are moving to primary schools (even though the list is entitled "secondary") so its kind of confuinsg...
i must say the TH parent communication so far is super engaging.
im a bit disappointed with SM so far! they just saying you cant spk to the head as he is too busy and you cant look round bc its covid.
wheras TH invited us in within days, showed us round etc

any SM mums/dads out there who can advise on how communicative the school is if there is an issue etc?
are there meet ups with the parents at SM? is there a social side for parents to get involveD? any help would be SO appreicated!

yep.
the leavers list from SM is actually confusing..only lists 59 kids, and some are moving to primary schools (even though the list is entitled "secondary") so its kind of confuinsg...
i must say the TH parent communication so far is super engaging.
im a bit disappointed with SM so far! they just saying you cant spk to the head as he is too busy and you cant look round bc its covid.
wheras TH invited us in within days, showed us round etc

any SM mums/dads out there who can advise on how communicative the school is if there is an issue etc?
are there meet ups with the parents at SM? is there a social side for parents to get involveD? any help would be SO appreicated!

yep.
the leavers list from SM is actually confusing..only lists 59 kids, and some are moving to primary schools (even though the list is entitled "secondary") so its kind of confuinsg...
i must say the TH parent communication so far is super engaging.
im a bit disappointed with SM so far! they just saying you cant spk to the head as he is too busy and you cant look round bc its covid.
wheras TH invited us in within days, showed us round etc

Hi @user1494360838 i hope you’re well. I’m in the same dilemma as you this year. Just wanted to check if you chose either of the two schools. We have been offered a place in TH and in waiting list for SM. I am confused as both schools look amazing. TH is more convenient to us though. But the lack of grounds does bother me a bit. I was wondering what’s your experience been with the reception class?

Is Thompson House school moving premises or getting another site in addition? I thought I'd heard something.