Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Battersea, Thomas’s Battersea is a distinguished co-educational prep school with a legacy rooted in creativity and kindness. Established within a historic Victorian building—once an art school—the school showcases its commitment to artistic and dramatic expression.
Despite its urban location, Thomas’s Battersea boasts a spacious environment that combines period charm with modern facilities. The main school building houses not only classrooms but also a purpose-built dining hall, dedicated gym, specialised art rooms (including a pottery studio), and drama and music rooms. The expansive on-site playground is a rare find among London schools, providing students with ample space to play and unwind. The campus is divided by a tranquil courtyard that adds a touch of calm to the lively atmosphere.
An Ethos of Kindness and Academic Breadth
The guiding principles at Thomas’s Battersea are encapsulated in its ethos: “Be Kind, Broad Curriculum, Academic Success.” This vision, dating back to founders Joanna and David Thomas in the 1970s—an actress and a Gurkha officer, respectively—originally emphasised “Be Kind and Don’t Run.” While the school achieves impressive academic outcomes, it is far from being an exam factory. The 11+ and 13+ assessments are acknowledged as significant milestones but are described as “bottlenecks” within the broader educational journey. Academic success is underscored by a holistic approach, preparing students for senior schools with confidence.
The school organises three classes per year up to Year Six and four classes in the final two years, with academic setting commencing from Year Three. While some students, predominantly girls, depart at 11+ to join senior London day schools, this is offset by a notable Year Seven intake from Thomas’s Fulham and Thomas’s Kensington. The Upper School (Years Seven to Eight) is distinct in its preparation for the rigours of senior school life, featuring specialised subject classrooms. Year Eight focuses heavily on Common Entrance and scholarship preparation.
Entry Points and Admissions
The main entry points for Thomas’s Battersea are at Reception (4+) and Year 7 (11+). The school also welcomes applications for ‘Occasional Places’ in Years 1 to 6 and Year 8, accommodating families looking to join the school community mid-course.
Thomas’s Outdoors and Enrichment
Outdoor learning and enrichment are embedded in the curriculum. Older students participate in week-long residential trips, and Thomas’s Daheim, the school’s hostel in Austria, offers memorable ski trips—a notable highlight when former head Ben Thomas joined Year 5 on the slopes. Core sports include hockey, rugby, netball, football, and cricket—all played by both boys and girls—at facilities such as Barn Elms Sports Centre, with swimming at Latchmere Leisure Centre.
Thomas’s Battersea also offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs through which pupils can discover new passions and explore their physical, creative, social, global, moral, and cultural interests with like-minded peers. Some of the diverse activities available include ballet, debating, karate, gardening, swimming, and judo, ensuring students have ample opportunity to broaden their horizons beyond academics.
A Prep School with a Forward Vision
Thomas’s Battersea is currently refocusing on its identity as a 4 to 13 prep school after an ambitious, yet ultimately paused, plan to expand into senior education on-site. The next chapter will see the launch of Thomas’s College in Richmond, an 11 to 18 school set to open in September 2025. Pupils at the existing Putney Vale site will transition there in 2025.
Cosmopolitan Setting with Community Awareness
The cosmopolitan neighbourhood adds an eclectic charm, with nearby institutions like St John Bosco (a voluntary-aided RC school for ages 11-18) and L’Ecole de Battersea, an “École Homologuée” situated almost directly opposite. Despite being a part of an elite educational circuit, Thomas’s Battersea maintains a grounded atmosphere, blending privilege with a keen awareness of its surroundings. The school incorporates activities like cycling classes on local streets and fosters strong community connections.
While it may not appear as the archetypal elite West London prep school—and it might be hard to picture Prince George among its pupils—Thomas’s Battersea thrives on a mix of international backgrounds, reflecting Battersea’s diversity.
In essence, Thomas’s Battersea balances academic achievement with the nurturing of creativity, character, and community—remaining true to its motto: “Be Kind.
(Images Credit: Thomas’s Battersea; Front Image: The Times)
