Admissions Guide 2026-27
thomas-skensington.co.uk A D MIS SI O NS GU ID E 2026-2027
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A D MIS SI O NS GU ID E 2026-2027
Welcome to Thomas’s Kensington Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision, and we are delighted that you are considering Thomas’s Kensington. This Admissions Guide gives you a clear overview of our admissions process and answers the practical questions you may have, from applications to our discovery assessments. Our aim is to ensure you feel confident and well informed at every stage. Alongside the practicalities, we hope this guide conveys something of our community. At Thomas’s Kensington, children are happy and known, inspired by academic ambition, enriched by a broad and balanced education, and nurtured by kindness. We look forward to welcoming you, and warmly invite you to visit us so that you can experience first-hand the energy, joy, and spirit of Thomas’s Kensington. At Thomas’s Kensington, we seek to create a culture of joyful excellence in which every child belongs, flourishes and contributes. These three aims shape all that we do. 1
Belong: a community shaped by kindness Every child is known, valued and supported to feel safe, confident and included
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Flourish: strong foundations, bright futures Every child is encouraged and challenged to achieve highly and discover their strengths and passions
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Contribute: opportunities to make a difference Academic success built on breadth, and high expectations.
Alex Matthews Head
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At-a-Glance Admissions Pathways Thomas’s Kensington is an independent, fee-paying, fully co-educational day school. We welcome applications from children who will contribute fully and enthusiastically to the ethos and wider life of the School, regardless of disability, ethnicity, sex, religion, belief. Please discover our admissions pathways below. DE TAIL S
RECEP TION 4+
O CC A SIONAL PL ACE S
Year Group on Entry
Reception
Years 1-6
Age on Entry
4-5
Varies
Places Available
66 (3 classes of 22)
Ad hoc
Registration Opens
Birth
Enquire with Admissions
Process
Selective
Individual assessment
Entry Year
September
Rolling
Registration fee: £180, non-refundable
Scan to Register for Reception
Scan to Register for Year 1 to Year 6
Contact Details For more information, please contact our Head of Admissions, Amy Boyer at: E: aboyer@thomas-s.co.uk T: 0207 361 6500
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Entry-Specific Information and Assessment RECEP TION (4+)
Selection is based through Discovery Sessions. This is overseen by the Early Years Team carefully to ensure a fair and equal process for all applicants.
O CC A SIONAL PL ACE S ( YE AR S 1-6)
Please call the Admissions Office on 0207 361 6500 or email Head of Admissions, Amy Boyer (aboyer@thomas-s.co.uk) to discuss current availability before registering.
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Procedure for Entry into Reception at Thomas’s Kensington There is a £180 registration fee to register with us per child. Should you wish to do so please click here for our online registration form. Those who register early will be allocated to the Main List. Thomas’s Kensington runs an assessment process (Discovery Sessions) for entry into Reception. THE PRO CE SS IS OUTLINED BELOW:
Each year, parents of children on our Main List will be contacted to confirm their continued interest in Thomas’s Kensington. If families from the Main List withdraw, applicants on the Reserve List will be contacted and moved to the Main List. Children on the Main List will be invited to attend for a Discovery Session before they are due to start Reception. This is a play-based session, held in small groups of no more than 12 children, and
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is always thoroughly enjoyed by those who attend. It is a gentle, informal assessment in which our staff observe each child’s play, interactions, and approach to a few simple independent activities, helping us to gauge their readiness for school. Our priority is to put every child at ease and ensure they enjoy their time with us. Before the Discovery Session, we will also be in touch with your child’s nursery or kindergarten to inform them of their application. Each session will last approximately 45 minutes and is led by our Lower School Team. We find that the majority of children we meet would thrive at Thomas’s Kensington. Regrettably, we see more children than we can accommodate at the school. Offers will be made once all Discovery Sessions have been held, with priority given to the siblings of existing pupils. Children may also be placed on a Waiting List and offered a place after the deadline for accepting initial offers have passed.
A D MIS SI O NS GU ID E 2026-2027
Key Dates for Your Diary Parents are able to register from birth but the Reception selection process begins one year before starting.
4+ (Reception Entry)
Tours and Registration Tours are available throughout the year. Registration from birth. Please click here to request a visit.
Summer (one year before starting) Main list applicants - Completion of Child information form.
September (one year before starting, children are 3.5 years old) Sibling Discovery Sessions & sibling results.
November Non-sibling Discovery Sessions & results.
November Deadline for acceptance/deposit. June Reception Welcome Events, Summer Fair & Meet the Teacher. August Whole School Welcome Picnic.
September School begins. A D MIS SI O NS GU ID E 2026-2027
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Entry Procedure for an Occasional Place at Thomas’s Kensington Thomas’s Kensington runs an assessment process for occasional entry into Years 1-6. Occasional places are offered on an assessment basis and are dependent on current children withdrawing. Places offered are based on a positive assessment and a space being available. There is a £180 registration fee to register with us per child. Should you wish to do so please click here for our online registration form. For entry into Years 1 and 2 children are assessed against the standard currently being achieved in the year group and, particularly if they are moving from a different education system, for evidence of potential. Written reports are requested from the previous School, generally prior to assessment.
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For entry to Years 3 - 6 children are assessed for evidence of academic potential and against the standard currently being achieved in the year group. Information about their previous education experience, a meeting with a senior member of staff and a written reference from the previous School are taken into account when making a decision. In order to access the curriculum, the applicant will have to demonstrate that they have a fluent knowledge of written and spoken English comparable to pupils in the year group they will be entering. We welcome overseas pupils, who can study at Thomas’s provided that they have the legal right to enter, live and study in the UK. Thomas’s does not sponsor visa applications.
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Admissions Journey Occasional (Year 1 - Year 6 Entry)
Tours and Registration Tours are available throughout the year. Please click here to request a visit. Registrations are ad-hoc throughout the year. Registration is limited to only one of the Thomas’s Prep Schools. If you would like to register for an occasional place please click here.
Assessment
Registration Acknowledgement and Child Information Form (CIF) Your registration will be acknowledged by email. A CIF form will be requested so that we can get to know your child better. Birth certificates, previous school reports and passport information will be requested. A reference from your childs current school will be requested.
We invite your child for an age appropriate assessment with one of our friendly teachers.
Result A result will be provided. Should the result be positive, an offer letter will be emailed. A non refundable £3450 deposit is required on order to accept a place. Signed acceptance forms will also be requested in line with our terms and conditions.
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Fees & Finances All tuition fees include VAT and are subject to annual review in Lent Term 2027. Updated figures will be published on our website. Our fees for the academic year 2026-2027 are below:
TUITION FEE S PER TERM
Lower School (Reception to Year 2)
£10,970
Prep School (Year 3 to Year 6)
£11,663
Lunch (compulsory)
£402
*The tuition fee includes art, computing, drama, music and sport in the curriculum, as well as dance and swimming in selected year groups. A full programme of day trips to museums, galleries and educational venues in London and beyond is included, although some charges may apply. The charge for lunch is payable in addition to the tuition fee.
REG IS TR ATION FEE AND DEP OSIT
Deposit
£3,450
These are charged as extra in arrears. Costs depend on the type, length and location of the trip and are published in advance.
OP TIONAL E XPEDITIONS AND RE SIDENTIAL TRIPS
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£180
Examinations such as the ISEB Common Entrance examinations are charged at the cost laid down by the examination board. Additional charges apply for optional extra-curricular activities, including individual music, drama, and ballet tuition, as well as termly clubs. A current price list for these activities is available on our website.
SPECIFIED CHARG E S
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Registration Fee
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SIBLING DISCOUNT
Sibling discounts apply when multiple children attend Thomas’s London Day Schools concurrently:
• Second child: 1.5% • Third child: 5% • Fourth and subsequent children: 10% Discounts are adjusted if a sibling leaves and the total number of enrolled siblings changes.
TR AVEL AND TR ANSP ORT
Situated in the heart of Kensington, moments away from the great parks and museums of London, Thomas’s Kensington’s new home on St Albans Grove offers exceptional purpose-built educational facilities. Thomas’s Kensington is in a designated ‘School Street’ zone with restricted vehicle access during drop-off and pick-up hours during term time to improve safety, air quality and encourage active travel (walking, cycling, scooting). Our minibus service is managed on our behalf by Vectare, a specialist school transport management company. All bookings for our school bus routes are to be made via our online booking system. Fares Free minibus service for those applicable.
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Route Route Map Map
Ladbroke Grove
Elgin Crescent
/ Ladbroke Grove
NOTTING HILL
Latimer Road
White City
Wood Lane
HOLLAND PARK
HOLLAND PARK
Abbotsbury Road
Goldhawk Road
Hazlitt Road
Kensington (Olympia)
Junction w/ Sinclair Road
Hammersmith
Earl’s Court HAMMERSMITH
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A D MIS SI O NS GU ID E 2026-2027 Barons Court
West Kensington
EARL’S COURT
Route 1 Route 2 Route 3
PADDINGTON
National Rail Line/Station
Westbourne Grove
HYDE PARK London Underground ESTATE
Bus Stop G
Bus stop
Lancaster Gate Stop LC/LA
HYDE PARK
KENSINGTON PALACE
Queens Gate Bus Stop RV
SOUTH KENSINGTON
South Kensington Gloucester Road
Fulham Road/Elm Place Bus Stop HJ
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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 excellent record of securing scholarships and offers from leading day and boarding schools. A full list of recent destinations can be found on our website. Q: Are children’s individual learning needs, including SEND, taken into account? A: Yes – please discuss any needs with us in advance so we can make appropriate arrangements. Q: What is your sibling policy? A: Thomas’s Kensington gives priority to siblings of current pupils, offering them places whenever possible, provided they meet the standard entry criteria and spaces are available. Q: Can parents register for all four Thomas’s Prep Schools? A: No - Parents may only register for one Thomas’s Prep School. Q: I live abroad and cannot attend an in-person assessment. A: We do prefer to see the children in person however an online assessment can be arranged. We may ask to meet the child in-person before an offer is made.
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THOMAS’S KENSINGTON 1 St Albans Grove, London, W8 5PN 020 7361 6500 | kensington@thomas-s.co.uk | thomas-skensington.co.uk thomass.kensington