Issuu

Early Decision Process An optional route for families seeking to commit to Thomas’s College and step out of the 11+/13+

thomas-scollege.co.uk

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

Key Dates These apply for families with students currently in Year 5 who are considering an Early Decision Place in either Year 7 2028 or Year 9 2030. These dates are indicative for future years.

Thursday 21 January 2027

Open Morning

Midday, Thursday 4 February 2027

Registration Deadline

Midday, Thursday 4 February 2027

Deadline to submit supporting documentation, including usual ways of working and/or educational psychologists’ reports

Tuesday 2 March 2027

Assessment Day

Friday 19 March 2027

Decisions Emailed

Friday 22 October 2027

Deadline to accept an early decision place

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

Contents

Welcome from the Head

A Bespoke Pathway

An Outstanding Secondary Experience

Admissions Process

Transport

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

Welcome from the Head The opening of Thomas’s College in September 2025 marked the fulfilment of a long-held ambition for Thomas’s London Day Schools: to extend our education and our ethos all the way to 18. One of our goals in doing so was to offer an alternative to the challenge of the 11+/13+ process, while preserving the preparatory nature of the existing Thomas’s schools, which will always seek to help families find the secondary option that is right for them. That has led to the creation of the Early Decision Process. This process is designed for those families who love Thomas’s, are ready to commit to the College, and want the decision about future pathways settled before Year 6. Those who are interested in the College but want to keep their options open will continue to go through the regular 11+/13+ process as usual, with no disadvantage. We hope this guide will help you decide which group you are in! As ever, with any school, the best way to get a clearer picture is to visit. We look forward to welcoming you on the right occasion to suit you and giving you a sense of this lovely school.

Will le Fleming Founding Master Thomas’s College

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

A Bespoke Pathway All four Thomas’s Prep Schools have their own unique character, united by a shared ethos and approach to childhood and education, rooted in kindness, breadth of experience, self-understanding and joyful academic excellence. Together, we are committed to preparing children for lives of meaning and purpose, ensuring they leave the Prep phase with the widest possible range of opportunities at 11 or 13. This journey is shaped through close partnership with families and a deep understanding of each child as an individual. Every pupil is guided thoughtfully towards the pathway that will allow them to flourish. For some families, there is a desire for greater certainty at an earlier stage. Those with children at a Thomas’s Prep School may therefore choose to apply through the Early Decision Process (EDP), which offers the opportunity to secure a place at Thomas’s College ahead of the 11+/13+ process, enabling them to step away from assessments at that point. Open to pupils in Year 5, the process provides clarity before the end of the academic year. For families who may be interested in Thomas’s College, but not yet ready to commit, we continue to encourage exploration of a wide range of senior school options, ensuring that every child ultimately finds the environment in which they will thrive.

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

An Outstanding Secondary Experience Our ambition for Thomas’s College is simple: to be counted among the very best schools in London, but for reasons that are distinct. At its heart lies an education grounded in kindness, a recognition of the individual, and a broad and inclusive understanding of excellence. The College is already bringing the Thomas’s vision of joyful excellence to life, fostering a culture in which students achieve outstanding academic outcomes alongside the confidence, character and adaptability needed to succeed in the wider world. The education on offer combines traditional excellence, comparable to other top schools, with radical innovations that are only found here, from the teaching of psychology to all students, to our own qualifications to enhance GCSEs and A Levels, to our unique three-year Sixth Form. As a result, the College caters for those who seek the most rigorous academic pathways leading to the world’s most selective tertiary destinations, particularly in the UK and US, alongside those who share the same level of passion but whose strengths are not always captured in standardised assessment. By bringing together students with different talents who share the same desire to succeed and fulfil themselves, the College reflects the collaborative and dynamic environments they will encounter later in life. Rather than narrowing the definition of success, as a school we create space for every student to discover and pursue their own path to excellence. For families continuing their Thomas’s journey, a place at the College often feels like a natural next step, and one that generates a strong sense of pride and belonging.

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

Admissons Process Families wishing to apply through the Early Decision Process should complete the bespoke registration form, rather than the standard College registration.

REGISTR ATION

A non-refundable registration fee of £225 is payable, and families will be asked to upload a copy of their child’s passport or birth certificate. At this stage, they will also indicate whether they are applying for entry into Year 7 or Year 9, and, for Year 9 applicants, whether there is an interest in weekly or flexi boarding. Those considering boarding will have the opportunity to meet the Director of Boarding later in the process. Following the closing date, we will work closely with your child’s Prep School to gather existing information, including a Head’s reference, examples of classwork and CAT scores.

AVAIL ABLE PL ACES

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

There are no fixed quotas for Early Decision places. Families are welcome to apply through the process and, if they are not successful, may still go on to explore other options or apply again through the standard admissions route in future years.

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

OUR APPROACH TO SELEC TION

The admissions process at Thomas’s College is designed to be rigorous, fair and centred on the child. It seeks to understand not only academic potential, but also creativity, curiosity and character. These elements reflect an assessment process designed around the core of a Thomas’s education: academic excellence, breadth of experience, and personal values. The Early Decision Process requires only a single visit to the College for a one-hour creative assessment and activities. All other information is pre-existing material we already have as part of their journey at Thomas’s Prep. The assessment includes three open-ended questions - one each exploring: • English and words • Mathematical thinking • Scientific reasoning These questions are designed to showcase a candidate’s creativity, insight, and enjoyment of learning. The 11+ sample assessment paper on our website will give families and children an idea of what to expect - definitely not the typical 11+/13+ fare!

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

All decisions are shared before the end of the Lent term in Year 5, and are reached through a careful and holistic consideration of each child. There are three possible outcomes from the assessment:

PATHWAY OUTCOMES

• Offer of a guaranteed place in Year 7 or Year 9 • Recommendation to defer to the full 11+/13+ process • Recommendation to consider alternative options

Based on all information gathered, we are able to offer a guaranteed place in Year 7 or Year 9. Families may accept the place and have the option to change their minds at any point up to the 11+ registration deadline in October of Year 6. After this point, early decision places become binding.

OFFER OF A GUAR ANTEED PL ACE

Families are offered a guaranteed place in Year 7 in 2028 or Year 9 in 2030 on the understanding that they will make a fixed commitment to the College, including making a nonrefundable deposit and not engaging in any alternative 11+ or 13+ applications for other schools. Families who would prefer to have other options available to them may decline the early decision place and pursue a full range of options via the 11+/13+, including the College. They will then be able to make their choice based on the widest range of information.

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

DEFER TO FULL ADMISSIONS PROCESS

RECOMMEND ALTERNATIVE

If we cannot be sure that the College is the best future option for any young person, we warmly invite applicants to defer to the 11+/13+ process, which they may enter on the same terms as all other candidates. This will give us a chance to gather more information and make sure that we are meeting each young person’s needs. If, following our assessment, we feel that an alternative looks the best option, we would explain the rationale for this with families and encourage the exploration of alternative options, supported by the Prep teams. This isn’t a pass/fail process: it is one where we try to understand children as best as we can, and be transparent with families as a result. The College environment is one that includes a diversity of excellence but it won’t be right for everyone, and where we think families would be better served by considering an alternative, we will be honest about that.

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

Transport From September 2026, a number of new coach routes will support travel to and from Thomas’s College. Developed in partnership with Vectare, these routes are designed to evolve alongside the needs of the school community. The College is also well connected via Richmond station and the wider public transport network, offering flexibility for families and older pupils. KE Y Route 1 – Green Battersea, Chelsea, Fulham, Parson’s Green, Putney Bridge. Route 2 – Orange South Kensington, Holland Park, Shepherd’s Bush, Chiswick Park, Gunnersbury, Kew. Route 3 – Red Wandsworth Common, Putney, Sheen. Route 4 – Yellow Southfields, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, Norbiton, New Malden, Petersham. Route 5 – Blue Teddington, Hampton, Twickenham.

Shuttle Bus Our popular shuttles will continue to run to and from Richmond station for those students who prefer to use public transport. We will carefully monitor these across the year to ensure sufficient capacity. E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

@thomasscollege college@thomas-s.co.uk

thomas-scollege.co.uk

020 7978 0902 16

TH O M A S’ S CO LLEG E

E A R LY D ECISI O N PRO CE S S