In 1806 he was admitted as a student to the Hoxton Academy[2] where he became a classical tutor, however he decided to take up a ministry in a newly formed Independent church in Wolverhampton where he was ordained in April 1810.

[3] Thomas Scales was a leader in the community, a founder of Silcoates School[5] for the education of sons of Independent ministers and missionaries,[2] and also a passionate supporter of the anti-slavery movement and liberal politics.

[6] He returned to Exeter Hall in 1840 where he appears [in spectacles] in Benjamin Robert Haydon's painting of The Anti-Slavery Society Convention 1840, beside Captain Charles Stuart.

Scales was also involved in the foundation of the Independent Ministerial Provident Society of the West Riding of Yorkshire, administration of Balme's charity which was established by Mary Bacon and the management of Airedale and Rotherham Colleges.

He died suddenly in June 1860 at Low Moor, while travelling to preach a funeral sermon for a fellow minister and friend Reverend John Paul.