Thomas’s reception 2025 list Post Reply

[Claphammum21]

Did anyone apply for Thomas’s reception class 2025 and make the main list? It feels like the main list is already very full as I know a lot of friends on it so what are the chances of actually getting a place and how do they whittle it down closer to the time? We live on Broomwood so it’s the most conveniently located school but it seems chances are slim - especially without any ‘connections’ to add to our form

[Larsford]

My daughter is on the main list too. Apparently it’s a ballot so completely random, with 3 children per place it’s a one in three chance of getting in! And a long wait to find out.

[school123]

It's not random, they try to balance out the classes by gender and birthday. So they'll skip a child is there a many of its gender and month of birth to get the next suitable one. There's also a LOT that will happen from now until the day you get your golden ticket, I know a lot of people who got into the waiting list in 2020 and got a place for this year, and lots of people who relocated and gave away their place. All the kids from my child's nursery that were on the list got in.

People get too worried about waiting lists but they actually mean nothing, it's just a way to keep people talking about the school.

[NVneighbour]

Our daughter just started at Thomas’s in reception having been through the new ballot system. We actually didn’t get in on the ballot first time but our nursery had good connections to the school (we didn’t) so when one of the ballot spaces didn’t get taken up, we were offered. We also tried to build that connection to the school by making it clear we really wanted a spot. If you really want your child to go to Thomas’s then attending either marmalade or mouse house nursery helps because both are feeders into the school with strong connections. But as you say ballot is a luck of the drawer. I suspect the hype is caused by parents putting children down at multiple schools so try not to get sucked in.

[Doctormum]

Please try not to get wrapped up in the hype created by some nursery schools and by other parents that your child must go to Thomas’s. I can assure you that they don’t. There are so many schools in the area which are equally as good if not better and also turn out children who are well rounded and kind and move on to top rated secondary schools and public schools depending on what you want.
We chose not to go to go to Thomas’s- my children have thrived at another local prep school and have moved on to a top public school as well mannered, intelligent and delightful young men.

[RumourMill]

Please try not to get wrapped up in the hype created by some nursery schools and by other parents that your child must go to Thomas’s. 

Yes, this exactly.

I've been through this and there are so many "sliding doors" that will have an affect on your child's future and this really really isn't one of the big ones.

You only have to hear the chatter of the mums on the common complaining that their child can't get into Oxbridge because of all the state school children with priority or they can't get an internship because they're the wrong gender/ethnicity. Just find a happy, friendly, school where they empower children to be creative, curious and to follow their interests, be that sport/art/performing/music and you'll have won the important prize.

[Helloitsme]

I dont think 2025 Reception entry will be a ballot.
My daughter is on the main list for Thomas's Battersea 2024 Reception entry and they told us they would be reverting to assessments post Covid by then.
I believe 2023 entry was the last one they would be running a ballot - in fact the ballot for 2023 Reception entry just took place this week for T-Battersea.

Doing an assessment could be beneficial as they take proximity into account at the point of assessing your child as well.