Our History
THOMAS’S KENSINGTON HISTORY
Our History
Thomas’s Kensington is part of a remarkable story that began with a simple idea: to create a school where children could receive an excellent education in an environment rooted in kindness.
In 1971, Joanna Thomas established a small kindergarten in a church hall in Pimlico, balancing family life with a belief that young children deserved something better. What began as a practical solution quickly grew into something more ambitious. Together with her husband, David Thomas, she went on to found the first Thomas’s prep school in 1977, starting with just eleven pupils and two teachers.
Demand for a values-led, high-quality London day school grew rapidly. By 1981, the school had expanded into buildings in Cottesmore Gardens, establishing what would become Thomas’s Kensington. From these early beginnings, Thomas’s developed a distinctive educational philosophy: high academic standards, a strong commitment to the arts, and a belief in the importance of sport, all underpinned by a culture of kindness.
Over the following decades, Thomas’s Kensington grew and evolved. The acquisition of nearby buildings, including Lady Eden’s School in 2002, enabled the development of a dedicated Lower School and strengthened the school’s provision for younger pupils. Continued investment in facilities, including specialist spaces for the arts, sport and performance, reflected the school’s commitment to a broad and ambitious education.
Alongside this, the wider Thomas’s family of schools expanded across London, while remaining true to its founding principles. The establishment of the Thomas’s Foundation further extended this vision, supporting community partnerships and widening access to a Thomas’s education and, latterly education in Nepal.
A significant new chapter began in 2025, when Thomas’s Kensington moved into its purpose-built home on St Albans Grove. Designed to reflect the school’s values and educational approach, the new site provides an inspiring environment for learning, with specialist facilities and thoughtfully designed spaces that support both academic and personal development.
Today, Thomas’s Kensington remains true to its origins: a school where every child is known and valued, where kindness matters, and where a rich and ambitious education enables pupils to flourish. While much has changed since those early days in Pimlico, the founding vision endures: a belief that education should develop not only knowledge and skills, but character, confidence and a commitment to contribute positively to the world around them.
