interviews at Thomas' Post Reply

[CornishMummyinLondon]

I totally agree with Ready2Pop's post. When my daughter was three she attended an assessment at two different schools, Thomas's included, and thought the whole thing was great fun. She had no idea she was being assessed in any way, I told her she was going to play to see if she liked the school and the teachers, and was to report back to me what she thought. She felt under no pressure whatsoever. It is entirely dependent on how you approach these things with your child. I would not rule a school out because you are concerned about the application process at all as it is nowhere near as scary or pressured or intimidating as you might think. Good luck with your choice. We are very lucky to have so many great schools in the area.

[Happymama]

But do you really believe you can assess a 3 year old and do you really believe you can tell that a 3 year old would not "fit" in a school? And if siblings now automatically get in is it right to put other children through the assessment?

Sorry I just still think the whole thing is so wrong. The Assesment at Broomwood is totally different for example. They even invite kids back if they think they were having an "off day".

Personally I would have found it quite upsetting to go through the whole process only to be told my kid would not be right for the school.

Just my personal opinion!!

[SusieL]

That is my fear! And I'm wondering if everyone who thinks there's nothing to lose have been through the process and been offered a place (taken up or not). That's why it would be nice to hear from someone who got a no thank you. I think I remember reading a post a while back from someone saying that their friend was quite upset by a 'not Thomas's calibre' letter. Don't get me wrong I firmly believe that any school that doesn't want my little darling is missing out ! And I certainly wouldn't stress him out over the process. But if he's not going to get in is it worth stressing ME out? I just can't see him shining in an interview. Strangely an assessment weekend might be better as he really comes out of his shell and bosses around when he's comfortable! And I think he would do well there. I guess I have a few more months to wrangle with this but thanks for the replies

Susie

[tooposhtopush]

Guys
We live in one of the most affluent areas of one of the most affluent cities in the world. The houses, cars and holidays that surround us are the result of competition and drive. How many people on this thread have incomes less than six figures? Not many I'll bet!

My point is that we can't live in a community that celebrates winning and whose young parents are the very epitome of winning and then be disappointed when these values, the values of the parents, are evident in the private schools.

Not saying its right but it is predictable!

[SusieL]

Ah yes- but also predictably underneath all that "winning" are insecurities!

[Happymama]

TPTP ... I am not normally someone that wants to argue a point on this website, but I am quite speechless. Do we really "live in a community that celebrates winning and whose young parents are the very epitome of winning" ??

I certainly do not want my children having these values and more to the point I would not want them to go to a school where these values are so evident ! I hope other people will agree that these values are not evident in all private schools and generally in the area ???

Otherwise I better start looking for a house in the country straight away !!!

[MGMidget]

SusieL, we've recently been through this process for 2012 entry so you have my sympathy! As already pointed out, it doesn't need to be stressful at all for your child if you approach it the right way. Unfortunately, it can be a bit stressful for the parents though! However, all the schools in the locality are oversubscribed so they all select in some way or another causing some stress. With regards to Thomas's assessment, there is a policy document on their website giving a bit of insight into what they are looking for (under the policies section). One thing the head said when we did a tour was that they look for children who are 'willing to have a go'. Does that sound like your child? The assessment is done in a small group. Children of the similar birth dates are assessed together. From what my son said there are about 4 adults in the room observing/assessing them. He didn't seem to mind and came out happy. They do ask them to do a few tasks but some of it at least seems to be very play orientated, so I think it is really about getting them to talk and interact with one another. They did ask him to do a bit of drawing as well (shapes I think?). If you are worried about dealing with a rejection then I would keep it low key and don't tell loads of people you are going in for the assessment, then you won't have to worry about telling loads of people your child didn't get in if that happens. Sometimes that might be hard if your child attends a nursery where lots of children will be entering the assessment - in which case I would speak to the teacher and ask how they deal with this to stop it becoming stressful. Good luck!

[tooposhtopush]

Don't get me wrong, I am not endorsing those principles but I am simply saying that they exist.

I am sure its a private school thing, but we ARE discussing the entrance requirements for private schools.

I bet over half of the people who choose Thomas's choose it because it does have selective entry and they can feel that there little one is "achieving" even at the age of three.

Can I be clear, not saying its right, just that it "is".

[juliantenniscoach]

Taking this up the age scale, we can see that the state schools are now locked into this 'results is all' culture which some private schools adhere too. It doesn't take a genius to figure out if you select 'the most likely to succeed' then that will translate into better exam results. Makes the teacher's life a lot easier to.

My concern is that if this is allowed to consume the state school system too then the 'neet's' population will only swell to nothing but a negative effect.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17385308

I gained a scholarship to a private school in Cornwall when I was 11yrs and I hated it. Full of 'entitled' ex-pat kids who were so up themselves they were virtually inside out. Fortunately after 18 miserable months of being 'the poor kid who got in for free' we moved away. I went to a recently converted Comprehensive from Grammar school and came away with decent results. Quite an acheivement when you're told you're 'backward' because you hadn't learnt any latin at your primary school!

[Happymama]

TPTP I think you are probably right !!!

I am sorry as I do admit that the whole "my child got into Thomas' and therefore he / she is very bright" its one of my bugbears ! I did SO much reasearch before deciding where to send my kids and Thomas' academic results are really no better than the other private schools in the area.

OK enough from me !

[lavataco]

Theses posts blow subjects like this out of all proportion and everyone feeds off all the gossip. There is no"interview" at Thomas's. The kids go in small groups for a short and gentle play session like they would experience at any of their nurseries. And if you want to know how a child is selected, call the registrar and ask that question.

[tooposhtopush]

Proportion is relative.

To be told that your child has not succeeded in their application can be upsetting for some parents.

[supergirl]

Not all private schools are like what you describe TPTP. Whilst i agree some might be like that, i dont think it is wise to over generalised.
Based on my experience, the private school my children attend (nursery level at the moment but they ll stay there fir primary) is very low key and parents there are very down to earth, the school is not in a fashionable area of wandsworth yet achieving outstanding results. More importantly the children there are nurtured and happy, and allowed to be children there. Which is the most important thing for me. "winning" and "achieving" come second to me. For us, Thomas doesnt fit the bill but i know Thomas is an excellent school.
The good thing about wandsworth is the luxury of choice being state or private. So pretty much anybody can find a school that suit them. Just the small matter of getting in...

[klw]

My daughter has just been through the assessment process for Thomas's ( she had a brilliant time playing and ran out saying that she loved it!) it was far less scary than we had feared....

We have just received a letter saying that she has been put on the waiting list for a place in reception 2013. Has anyone had any experience of this? Did you end up getting a place?

We are being asked to accept (& put money down!!) for other schools and we are very reluctant to pay a term's fees at multiple schools. We are also unlikely to get into our local state school, whose catchment is tiny, so not sure that is an option.

Thank you everyone!

[SusieL]

We're in same boat so no actual experience but I am assuming that as they have a strong sibling policy, and spread their age groups through the year, and split 50:50 boys and girls, and are one of the last (if not the last) to offer places locally, that chances are slim. So basically none of the siblings will turn down a place, then most people who went for it have already hung on for them so very few of non siblings will turn it down, then it would have to be a girl or boy (boy for us) of similar age that dropped out to get a place. We're going to back up!

But would be interesting to hear if anyone got a place in this situation