Eaton House and Thomas's Post Reply

[BTC27]

It's that time of year again...

I am aghast that we have to pay full term's non-refundable deposit for Eaton House before we know about the result from Thomas's. We are really not THAT rich to lose that money.

Any tips / experiences? Or for that matter, just how do you like the schools if your child is there?

Our first choice is Thomas's, but Eaton House is very much the close second. Distance from home and co-ed are the factors that make Thomas's the first choice. I am so tempted to just not pay the deposit for Eaton House.

Gah.

[Bodders1]

My elder son is in the lower school at Thomas's and he is really really happy there. I have nothing negative to say about the school. It is busy, sociable and the kids seem to learn at a fast pace but that seems to suit our son well. Do PM me if you would like to find out more about our experiences.

[pie81]

I guess it partly comes down to how confident you are that you'll get an offer from Thomas's. I know of several bright, confident children who haven't got a place there....There are so many siblings and they also try to spread the ages and genders so your sons performance at assessment is only one factor in the mix....

the current system where schools make thousands every year out of families who never take up a place is pretty unfair. I'm not sure what option there is though....other than taking a pretty big gamble on getting a place.

[dudette]

One thing you could consider if you don't get a place at Thomas's (and it is a bit of a lottery) is to put him in the local state primary and put him on the waiting list for any places that come available at Thomas's or Eaton House. There is a lot of movement in the Reception year as people decide to move out of London. Children are pretty adaptable at that age so I don't think it would put him at any particular disadvantage to change schools either during the reception year or at the end of it.

Thomas's, Finton, Hornsby and Broomwood can manage to form a consortium to put on a firework display - I don't know why they can't co-ordinate offer letters too. Oh hang on - maybe it's because they make thousands from the current system....

[firsttimerSW11]

It's not just Eaton. A lot of them do the same. All the other schools know Thomas's offer last. And that it's most people's first choice. They also know most parents won't take the gamble. It's a clever money making scheme in its own right. From a business perspective it's very clever. From a parent with limited funds it's gastly. But the laws of supply and demand ensure it's unlikely to change. I hate the expression "suck it up" but in this case you either do that or take a gamble..

[dudette]

And as someone on the other thread about the same subject mentioned - Thomas's fees are over £5k a term. Three kids and you're looking at £45k a year. So sadly in the grand scheme of things two grand is pretty insignificant (but still rankles I know).

[Kate1000000]

Hi, or you could phone the bursar at Eaton House and see if they can help. They are a business, but I've found them pretty reasonable when you explain the situation. Good luck! x

[outnumbered]

We were in a similar position 5 years ago and reading this thread has brought it back to me! It was all a bit later back then, I think February time, and our dilemma was that our son was on the 'interviewed waiting list' (as I think they called it) which meant they needed a boy born in the same month to turn their offer down. Meanwhile, the clock was ticking on our deposit due date at Eaton House...

I was asked to call Thomas's every two weeks from the day we received our waiting list offer to see if there had been any movement. We really liked both schools and had several weeks to really think about our options. By then we'd had a second boy, loved the look of Eaton House, the fact that boys can stay until 13, followed by an impressive list of schools they send onto, they get to play sport on the Common right in front of the school and have their lunch break there in the Prep, take part in a brilliant selection of after school clubs and matches and to be taught in an environment that 'gets' boys and understands how differently they learn from us girls.

We chose Eaton House confidently in the end and I felt huge relief that I wouldn't have to call Thomas's again to check on that list once we'd written the cheque! We've never looked back, the boys love it and we're really pleased with our choice. That's not to say that we don't have friends at Thomas's who love it, as well as lots of the other local schools. Let's face it, around here we're spoilt for choice, be it independent or state and I'm pretty sure most people are ultimately pleased with wherever they choose to send their children. It's an individual choice and often a gut feeling. And in our case, there was no way we were going to throw a few thousand pounds down the drain accepting one over another and then going with the one that offered second!

[BFW]

There is an open day this weekend - so maybe pop in for a quick look to see if it helps ?

Good luck !!

[bbroxash]

we paid the Eaton House deposit and received it back when we cancelled our place in July (for the following Sept (minus the 250 or so admin fee)). we were told it was non refundable when we paid it and when we cancelled our place they told us we'd only get it back if they could fill the place which you'd think they always could...

[BTC27]

Thanks for all the answers everyone! For some reason NVN does not notify me anymore when I have answers, so I just thought I was ignored .

[rugby]

Both good schools

You can't blame other schools for Thomas' being later to inform people of places.

It's an open market.

Eaton House have a very honest and straightforward management and ownership. (from many years of parental experience)

[szczepam]

Do you know when first round offers are typically made at Thomas and other local schools such as Broomwood Hall?

My husband and I took a tour of Eaton House this autumn and really loved it for our daughter. She is very clever but a bit shy and I am worried she will get lost at Thomas. She now has a place on the wait list for Eaton House but because we were very late discovering the school we are at the bottom so IF we get a place it will be last minute, perhaps after the Thomas offers come out.

[firsttimerSW11]

Thomas' is the last school to make offers so you will know whether you get a place at Eaton before you get any offer from Thomas'.
I wouldn't stress about the wait list. All parents put their childrens names down at most of the schools, and coupled with those moving out of London, abroad etc, you'll definitely get into one of them. I've rarely heard of a child in these parts who was down on the waiting lists of all the usual independents who didn't get into one school or another.

[Geegee007]

I'm not sure if this helps, but we were offered a place at Eaton House mid-November this year to start reception 2015. Our daughter was put on the waiting list at 18-months old.