Thomas's Clapham, Streatham and Clapham Prep offers Post Reply

[Confus_ed]

Yes there really is quite a bit of moving about.

In my DD's year at her old school 4 kids moved out of London mid-year and were quickly replaced with 4 new kids all from other local preps (including both Newton and Thomas's). Then 4 more left at the end of the year all heading to other local independent schools. 2 more have since joined, again from local preps.

When we were looking to move her, I called around all the Battersea/Clapham/Balham schools and the only one that didn't either have a space or expect one to become available soon was Hornsby House.

If you do decide to move then you do have to contend with some form of selection process but having been through most of them now between my two ( the ones for the local preps we've been talking about (inc. Thomas's) aren't a big deal. Usually your child will just join in with normal classes being given the odd separate activity to complete alone so the teacher can gauge what they can/ can't do and whether they'd fit in with the class.

We ended up with 3 places to choose from.

It's slightly different if you are moving at a time that is a formal entry point for the school you want them to go to (e.g. 7+ to JAPS/JAGS, Alleyns, DC, DPL, KCJS, Westminster, Colet Court, Wimbledon/Putney...) in which case you have to contend with full on written exams.

SCP is somewhere in the middle with written maths and English tests and interview with the Head but done in a more gentle way. Newton is similar.

Hopefully you won't need to move but it's not the end of the world if you do and quite common as the kids get older and you have more of an idea of their temperament, interests, academics etc...

[dudette]

I think Confus-ed has more experience of this than I have. All I can say is that most years I've seen children both leave (to nearby schools as well as further afield) and join Thomas's so I presume places become available. Thomas's starts with four classes of 20 but the numbers seem to go down as the children progress up the school. Sometimes children even start mid-way through an academic year. They all seem to settle pretty quickly.

[Flowermummy]

thanks so much confus_ed and dudette!
I know it was slightly off topic, but I found your insight very interesting (as I was really worried about moving in later years if it doesn't work out).
Interesting about Hornsby House being the only one without places available in later years - more interesting for lolaloves, as we are unfortunately too far down their list to have a good chance of a place...

[lolaloves]

Yes thank you so much for all these insights incredibly valuable. I suspect Hh has a subtly different demographic, less likely to move out of london and so less likely
To have places comes up. A lot of our friends who go to Thomas's actually end up leaving london after a few years. Much food for thought. Don j let us know what you decide! I think we have until thurs day to make a decision.

[DonJ]

Yes thank you, everyone! In some ways I think instinctively the smaller size of SCP may suit my daughter better, but can't see why she wouldn't thrive at Thomas's either - can't deny the notion of two school runs, and two sets of school holidays fills me with terror at how could manage a job at the same time!!

[lolaloves]

We are going for HH in the end, I am sure a family somewhere will be thrilled as I know the waiting list for Thomas's is long and fraught from what I can tell!

I just have a gut feel that DD is going to be happier in something smaller and more low key.

[lolaloves]

What did you decide to do in the end DonJ? I

[kettlebellmum]

Just found this post...my best friend's daughter is in year 2 at Broomwood and they have had several kids join their year both this year and last who had been managed out of Thomas's Clapham leaving them miserable and with no confidence ..it definitely happens!

[DonJ]

Oh no! We had decided on Thomas's...

[Flowermummy]

DonJ, the "managing out" was one of my worries, but it happens at most schools from my understanding (as mentioned on this thread too), particularly if it turns out that the school is not a good fit for your child.
My feeling is:
1) this happens to a minority, probably less than 10% of a year's intake of 80 kids, so not very likely that it will happen to you.
2) it tends to happen from y2 onwards and by then you'll have a better idea of your child's personality, and (although stressful) at that stage you will be able to make a more informed decision about where your daughter would fit best
So yes, it can happen, but even if it happens to you (small chance) it won't be the end of the world..

[livegreen]

How can anyone cordone a school that manages out a child because they do not fit in? It's frankly a disgrace.
They take your fees and then decide your child is not up to their standards - whilst at same time claiming to be nurturing and child focused.
Any school that manages out children only cares about their own academic reputation and not the children in their care.
These same schools must be very poor at teaching if they are only able to handle children who fit their narrow criteria of what a good child looks like. All children are different and develop at different rates - very expensive prep schools should be able to handle this without effectively expelling children who they are unable/unwilling to teach.

[sofiatheseventh]

Don J and Flowermummy - I am sure your kids will be absolutely fine. As you say it is a minority that this happens to.

I don't think it does happen at all schools though. Never heard of it in relation to Broomwood, HH, Finton or Eaton House. Only Thomas' and (to a lesser extent) Newton. People certainly leave other schools but usually because they want something different for their kids rather than being no longer welcome.

It must present a problem for Broomwood Hall too as, per Kettlebell's experience and my own this seems to be where those encouraged to leave Thomas' and Newton seem to end up. Also begs the question where have the kids who must have left Broomwood for it to have vacancies gone?

[Flowermummy]

sofiatheseventh - I actually heard of it happening at Eaton House too (first hand, from friends)... so I think it happens in a lot of places (maybe not "everywhere"), but you are right, I haven't heard it in relation to HH or Broomwood.

livegreen - of course it's disgraceful! But we still need to choose a school for our children out of these imperfect choices...

[Happymama]

I have only heard of this happening at Eaton House when the children move to the Prep school.

But then this is made very clear - the Pre-Prep is non selective but entrance in the Prep School is subject to continuous assessment in Year 2 and 3 (or entrance exams for external candidates).

Surely given that Thomas' is a "selective School" then once they "select" they should have no need to "manage out" children ?! Wouldn't it be up to the parents to move their child if they don't feel this is the right school for them ? Not that for one second i think you can "select" a child at 3....

[Flowermummy]

Happymama - I actually cant remember if this happened to our friend's son in Y2 or Y3 at EH... you are right Eaton House make it more clear than other schools (they don't really dwell on it either, as they don't want to scare parents away I imagine), but IMO the result for the child is pretty much the same, the school (directly or indirectly) tells you that they'd rather you left, which can only dent the child's self confidence....
Of course assessing at 3 is silly, but I'm not sure I'd prefer the "continuous assessment" at EH (school should really be fun up to the age of 7 I think)