Thomas's, Battersea

	The school occupies a Grade II listed building, the former Sir Walter St John Grammar School, founded in 1700. Facilities at Battersea include large, light classrooms, an historic Great Hall equipped as a Theatre, a Library, an ICT Suite, two Music rooms, a newly built Art Block, fully equipped Science Laboratories, Gymnasium, a grass courtyard, a rooftop playground and a children's garden.
Location Thomas's, Battersea Additional Pictures Thomas's Uniforms Thomas’s Battersea Reception Inspection Report - (OFSTED website) Thomas's London Day Schools Inspection Report - (OFSTED website) Thomas's London Day Schools Inspection Report - (PDF version)

Thomas's, Battersea also has a one acre Playground, which has several roles.    At the beginning and end of each day parents use it as a car park, during the day it is used for a variety of sports and games and it is also a play area for the pupils twice each day during their break. Sports are carried out at the playing fields at Barn Elms, near Hammersmith Bridge, and at Battersea Park. Swimming lessons take place in local swimming pools. Weekly church services for the Preparatory School are held in St Mary's Church, Battersea.

Thomas's, Battersea has a wide catchment area from both the North and South of the river.

The Headmaster - Mr Ben Thomas M.A.

Ben is the younger son of David and Joanna Thomas and is a Principal of Thomas's London Day Schools. He was educated at Eton College and Durham University, where he read English. After teaching in Lesotho, Southern Africa in 1991, he spent two years working in corporate finance at Barings before joining Thomas's, Clapham as a Form Teacher. He was appointed Headmaster of Thomas's, Kensington in 1995 and Headmaster of Thomas's, Battersea in 1999. He gained an MA in Education from the Institute of Education in 1998. Ben is married to Katie and has one son and two daughters, who attend Thomas's, Battersea and Thomas's Kindergarten, Pimlico. He is supported by a Senior Management team consisting of the Deputy Head, Head of Lower School, Head of Middle School, Senior Master and Senior Mistress.

Academic Structure

Lower School Reception	Year 2	Age 4 to 7
Middle School	Year 3 to Year 5	Age 7 to 10
Upper School	Year 6 to Year 8	Age 10 to 13

Lower School

Classes are of mixed ability and there is no streaming.

Middle School

At Thomas's, Battersea children join Year 3 in their form groups but they are set for Mathematics. In Year 4 the classes are rearranged to provide new social groupings and in Years 4 and 5 the classes are set for Mathematics.

 

Upper School

Year 6 is divided into mixed groups, taught as separate sets, depending on whether children are taking the 11 + or 13 + examination route. Pupils in the Upper School are set, according to ability, in all academic subjects. Scholarship classes are arranged in Year 8. The 13+ Common Entrance Examination taken in Year 8 is for entry into the traditional public schools for boys, for co-educational schools and for a growing number of girls' schools. Traditionally girls proceeding to London day schools take the 11+ entrance examination.

The School Day

	Arrival by	Dispersal
Lower School	8:30	Reception	15:20
Middle and Upper	8:30	Forms 1 & 2	15:30
		Forms 3-8	16:00