Thomas's College 11+ guide

About Thomas's College

Thomas’s College, opening in September 2025, is an exciting new independent school in Richmond, London. Located near Richmond Park and the River Thames, the campus combines a rich history with modern upgrades. It previously housed the Wesleyan Theological College and The American International University, offering a unique setting for students.

The college will welcome students aged 11 to 18, starting with Years 7 to 12 and expanding to Year 13. It will provide day, flexible, and weekly boarding options. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the future, focusing on academic success, personal growth, and practical skills.

Students at Thomas’s College will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant school environment. The school aims to nurture a love of learning, self-confidence, and strong moral values. From science labs and sports fields to spaces for the arts, every aspect of the campus has been designed to inspire growth and exploration.

As part of the Thomas’s family of schools, the college will uphold values such as kindness, respect, and ambition. It offers an inclusive and forward-thinking approach, making it a perfect choice for families seeking a modern yet grounded education.

For more information, visit the Thomas’s College website.

Thomas's College 11+ admissions process

There are 80 places available in Year 7 at Thomas’s College. To begin your child’s application, you will need to submit registration before the deadline in November in Year 6. Registration costs £150 and is non-refundable.

Thomas’s College is a selective school and is looking for high-ability children. The admissions process has three parts. In addition to these assessments, your child’s current headteacher will be asked to provide a confidential reference.

Part 1: Knowledge assessment

You will be asked to provide your child’s assessment results from any of the following recognised exams. Your child might already be taking these at their current school:

• ISEB Common Pre-Test

• GL Assessment AAT or CAT4

• CEM Select

If your child is not taking any of these exams, you can ask their school if they will be able to facilitate your child taking the ISEB Common Pre-Test before the end of November. If they are unable to do this, your child can take a ‘dual assessment’ at Thomas’s:

Dual assessment

Children who cannot take the ISEB Common Pre-Test, GL Assessment AAT, CAT4, or CEM Select are invited to take a ‘dual assessment’ instead. This consists of the Part 2: Skills assessment (outlined below), and a Quest Admissions test. Children will be tested on non-verbal reasoning, verbal reasoning and puzzles and problem-solving in the Quest Admissions test.

Part 2: Skills assessment

All children are invited to the Thomas’s College skills assessment at the end of November in Year 6. This one-hour exam consists of three 20-minute questions.

Each question is broadly aligned to English, maths, and science but will test your child’s logical, analytical, imaginative, and creative skills.

Each question is worth 10 points. Up to 5 points are awarded for the originality and thoughtfulness of their ideas, and up to 5 points for the way their ideas are communicated.

A sample paper for this assessment is available here.

Children who are successful in Parts 1 and 2 are shortlisted for the final part of the process, which is a character assessment.

Part 3: Character assessment

The character assessment will take place at Thomas’s in January in Year 6. If your child is shortlisted for this stage, they will be sent a questionnaire to complete in advance. This will give them a chance to talk about their hobbies and interests. Your child should complete this on their own to show their originality and authenticity. The examiners will read your child’s questionnaire alongside their written answers from the skills assessment.

The character assessment consists of an interview in small groups. Your child will have the opportunity to talk to the interviewer and to other children in their group. The interviewer will give prompts to help your child describe their interests and think of solutions to hypothetical problems or dilemmas. There is no right or wrong answer, but the interviewer will be interested in your child’s values, and how they think, feel, and communicate their ideas.

Offers

The Thomas’s College admissions team will carefully consider all three parts of the process – plus your child’s school reference – when deciding which children to offer places to.

You will receive your child’s results in mid-February. If your child is offered a place, you will have until early March to accept.

Our top tips to prepare for 11+ entry to Thomas's College

Feeling overwhelmed about where to begin with your child’s exam prep? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Check out our top tips to start their journey to exam success with confidence and ease!

Small steps to big success

Building a solid foundation is essential for entrance exam success. Before tackling practice tests, it’s important for your child to feel confident in the school-taught content they’ll be tested on.

Here’s the good news: learning in bite-sized chunks is scientifically proven to work! Child psychologists recommend 20–30 minute study sessions for 10–11-year-olds. This “little and often” approach helps the brain absorb and retain new information more effectively.

With Atom Home, creating a study routine is effortless. Enter your target schools, and we’ll build a personalised learning plan aligned with their entrance exam requirements. Know exactly what to focus on each week – and give your child the tools to shine.

Unlock a love of reading

Did you know that entrance exams often assess a child’s ability to analyse and interpret text? Regular reading isn’t just fun – it’s a secret weapon for exam prep!

Encourage your child to explore books across different genres and authors. This variety helps them understand diverse styles, tones, and purposes while boosting their vocabulary and critical thinking. Even 10 minutes a day can spark creativity and sharpen analytical skills.

Need ideas? Browse our Key Stage 2 reading list for inspiration and take the guesswork out of picking the perfect book.

Fuel curiosity and confidence

Selective schools value children who are curious and engaged with the world. Supporting your child’s broader learning is a great way to nurture their intellectual curiosity and develop lifelong skills. Talk about current events using age-appropriate journalism or plan outings to libraries, museums, and galleries. These experiences can broaden their horizons and build an authentic love for learning.

Perfect their practice

When your child is ready to put their knowledge to the test, mock exams can make all the difference. These practice runs teach time management, problem-solving, and exam-day strategies while identifying areas for improvement.

With Atom Home, you’ll get targeted mock tests tailored to your chosen schools. You’ll get your child’s results instantly, including their standardised age score and a breakdown of which topics to practise next. Help your child step into their exam day prepared, confident, and ready to excel.

Celebrate every milestone

Big wins start with small steps! Celebrating your child’s progress – no matter how small – keeps motivation high. A growth mindset is key: praise their effort and resilience, not just their achievements.

Mistakes are opportunities to learn, and challenges are stepping stones to success. With regular encouragement and the right tools, your child will build confidence and thrive.

Atom Home tracks every milestone so you can focus on what matters most—cheering them on every step of the way.