by MagdaBT » Mon Jan 29, 2024 10:13 am
I was a Thomas's Clapham parent (albeit some time ago) and also a teacher at Newton Prep for 15 years. Academically, there's not much to choose between them although Thomas's is probably more traditional. Teaching at both schools is generally excellent as are facilities although Newton has a huge all weather sports field on site while Thomas's bus or walk their children to a nearby sports field for games. Thomas's catchment area is fairly local - i.e. almost all children come from the surrounding area locally known as 'Nappy Valley' - but the school benefits from being part of the wider Thomas's organisation - three other prep schools and a soon to open senior school on a very impressive site in Richmond. Newton Prep is a 'one off' proprietarily owned school and because of it's nearness to central London and the Battersea Power Station development feels more urban and has a much more international intake than Thomas's - as your children ae coming from abroad, this may be of importance to you - if you choose Newton, there will be many other families in the same position as yours whereas in my experience, this will not be the case at Thomas's. Both schools have excellent reputations for senior school entry with a good number of places at Eton, Westminster, St Pauls Boys and GIrls etc. - however, if you are only in the country for a few years this may be less important to you.
I was a Thomas's Clapham parent (albeit some time ago) and also a teacher at Newton Prep for 15 years. Academically, there's not much to choose between them although Thomas's is probably more traditional. Teaching at both schools is generally excellent as are facilities although Newton has a huge all weather sports field on site while Thomas's bus or walk their children to a nearby sports field for games. Thomas's catchment area is fairly local - i.e. almost all children come from the surrounding area locally known as 'Nappy Valley' - but the school benefits from being part of the wider Thomas's organisation - three other prep schools and a soon to open senior school on a very impressive site in Richmond. Newton Prep is a 'one off' proprietarily owned school and because of it's nearness to central London and the Battersea Power Station development feels more urban and has a much more international intake than Thomas's - as your children ae coming from abroad, this may be of importance to you - if you choose Newton, there will be many other families in the same position as yours whereas in my experience, this will not be the case at Thomas's. Both schools have excellent reputations for senior school entry with a good number of places at Eton, Westminster, St Pauls Boys and GIrls etc. - however, if you are only in the country for a few years this may be less important to you.
