Welcome
A very warm welcome to Thomas’s Clapham.
We are thrilled that you are considering being part of the community. Our hope is that this guide helps answer any questions you may have regarding the various processes as you make this important decision for your child.
Our fundamental aim as a school is for children to flourish in their education, and we do that at Thomas’s Clapham through three core objectives:
Our Values
With kindness at the heart of everything we do.
Our Breadth
Where every child is encouraged, challenged and supported to find their something.
Our Academic Success
The underpinning of our offering.
These three core objectives make up our identity, and we hope to welcome you to see it for yourselves as you continue your explorations of our remarkable school.
For further context and information, please see our Five Year Plan
If you require any further information or have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. We would be delighted to speak with you.
Nathan Boller Head
At-a-Glance Admissions Pathways
ENTRY POINT
Reception 4+ Reception 4-5
84 (4 classes of 21) Birth Ballot September 11+ Year 7 11-12
63 (3 classes of 21) Year 5 onwards Discovery morning (Nov Year 6) September
Occasional Places
Years 1-6, 8 Varies Ad hoc Enquire with Admissions Individual assessment and taster morning Rolling
Registration fee: £150, non-refundable
The Admissions Journey
Step by Step
5. 11+/Occasional vacancies:
We invite your child for the age appropriate session (see on following page).
1. Enquire
Complete a ‘Request visit’ form to be updated on upcoming tours.
4. Reception entry:
A blind ballot will be drawn in the April of the preceding year to entry.
2 2. Explore Attend a School Tour. 3 4 5 6 7 8
3. Register
Complete the online form and pay the £150 fee.
6. Reference and Reports
We request confidential information from the current setting, where appropriate. 1
7. Offer Decisions are issued within two weeks of the final assessment date.
8. Acceptance
Return the Acceptance Form and deposit to secure the place.
Entry-Specific Information and Assessment
RECEPTION (4+)
• Entry is determined by an Automated Ballot, in conjunction with a nursery visit from the Head of Lower School, and a parent’s meeting with the Head
• This is overseen carefully to ensure a fair and equal process for all applicants
• Applicants not drawn in the ballot will automatically be added to the waiting list. This list will be referred to if offers are declined
• There is always the option to roll registration over to the Occasional Vacancies list for future years
11+ ENTRY – YEAR 7
• Invitation to a Year 7 & Beyond tour of the school.
• Discovery Morning in January of Year 6 involving:
• Written Maths and English assessment
• Group interview
• Group problem-solving challenge
• An online test in Maths and English (for those who have not already completed a recognised assessment - further information below)
DUAL APPLICATIONS TO THOMAS’S CLAPHAM AND THOMAS’S COLLEGE
Dual applications are for families seeking a place in Years 7 & 8 at Thomas’s Clapham with the certainty of continued education from Year 9 onwards at Thomas’s College.
Dual applicants are typically assessed in their Year 6 using Thomas’s College’s assessment processes as outlined in The Thomas’s College Admissions Guide. The same criteria and timeline for selection and applied to Dual Applicants as those applying solely to Thomas’s College. If successful for entry at the College, applicants will then have an additional interview at Thomas’s Clapham.
OCCASIONAL PLACES
Please call the Admissions Office on 020 7326 9316 or email Genie Jones (gjones@thomas-s.co.uk) to discuss current availability before registering.
Key Dates for Your Diary (2026–27)
(Reception Entry)
Tours and Registration
Tours are available throughout the year. Registration from birth.
2026 February
Main list applicants - Completion of Child information form.
2026 March
Sibling offers.
2026
April
Automated blind ballot for remaining non-sibling places.
2026 May (early) Deadline for acceptance/deposit.
2026 October/November
Parent meeting with Head for successful applicants.
2027 March
Play session for children.
2027
July
‘Stay & play’ morning.
Key Dates for Your Diary (2026–27)
11+
Tours and Registration
Tours are available throughout the year. Registration from Year 5.
2026 October
Deadline for 11+ entry.
2026 January
11+ Discovery Morning.
2027 February Offers are made.
2027 March
Deadline for acceptances/deposit.
2027 September School starts.
Fees
THOMAS’S CLAPHAM
Current tuition fees (2025–26) are from £8,984 per term
A full list of fees can be found here
FAQs
Q: Does my child have an automatic through-route to Thomas’s College?
A: There is no automatic right, but it is an assessed route. Pupils may apply in Year 6 or defer to Year 9, for which we provide tailored guidance and preparation.
Q: Do you prepare children for 11+/13+ exit to other schools?
A: Absolutely – our Future Schools team has an outstanding record of scholarships and offers to leading day and boarding schools.
Q: Will assessments take SEND into account?
A: Yes – please discuss any needs with us in advance so we can make appropriate arrangements.
Q: What is your siblings policy?
A: Thomas’s Clapham gives priority to siblings of current pupils, offering them places whenever possible, provided they meet the standard entry criteria and spaces are available.
Genie Jones Head of Admissions
Thomas’s Clapham
E: gjones@thomas-s.co.uk
T: 020 7326 9300
