Hampton School

[menagerie]

Does anyone have sons there? Do you recommend it?

We are looking at RGS Guildford but also want to look at a few other schools local to or accessible from the Esher/Surbiton area.

DS fairly academic - in top sets but not top of top sets. Not shown any interest in team sports which is what concerns me, but very fit from gymnastics and judo.

Loves music, maths, science, fairly keen on art and english. Loves drama too.

Does this sound like a good fit for Hampton?

[willow]

Hampton seems to suit wide variety - v good arts but also v good sports. Think your ds sounds like he'd fit fine.

[JetJungle]

My son is at Hampton and he loves it.
You need to know that it is academically a very competitive environment. This type of environment can put a lot of pressure on certain children, but for others it really allows them to flourish. And be warned: there is a lot of homework!

There is access to loads of different sports, played at all different levels and abilities. And honestly, so many clubs and activities - my son is only able to fit in his top 5 as there are just too many others to fit into the week.

I am not really keen on comparing RGS v Hampton. In my view Hampton is an excellent fit for my son and I think you have to try and gauge which school will best suit your son and his abilities. Only you can know which is best for him and I think you should look around both schools, speak to children and teachers from both schools and research the ethos of both schools, and from that choose which will suit your boy the best.

Truthfully you are very lucky to be choosing between two such excellent schools and I am sure he will do brilliantly regardless of which one you end up selecting.

[menagerie]

Thank you. Jet, it's good to know he's happy at Hampton. You're right, we are spoiled round here.

I don't want to push you to compare RGS and Hampton but do you think they are very different in their ethos? They seem the two genuinely academic schools in the area that have a work hard, play hard mentality, which is what I'm after. He really enjoys a lot of school and after school clubs and I want him to be able to continue with them, whilst staying on top of his work.

[JetJungle]

I don?t really know too much about RGS (we didn?t properly consider it because we wanted our son to go to a school as close to home as possible).

But honestly, I don't think they are tremendously different in their approach to school work and their ethos. As far as I can see they have both found ways of getting extremely good results out of the boys and I think common sense would suggest that this must involve excellent and interesting teaching, a certain amount of discipline, quality pastoral care and independent learning from both schools.

There is definitely a ?work hard, play hard? mentality at Hampton, but ? and I think this is important - I also feel that the boys are given a certain amount of independence and a sense of responsibility. As to the playing part, I am not sure how RGS structures their day, but at Hampton they have a long day (they finish at 4pm). The upshot of this is that they do not have lessons on a Saturday, and they have a very long break during the day. In this break the boys do all the clubs and activities they remember to bring kit for their hearts desire. The reason it is structured like this is because boys come from far and wide on coaches (the catchment area is quite large) and therefore, all coaches leave at 4.20pm everyday.
This system works really well because what it means is that they get home at the same time every day and can get themselves into a routine with their homework?. And, believe me, this is key. The jump in work-load and the high level at which they are all working, is very hard to manage in the beginning of year 7 and the only way my son found of coping was to get into a routine of doing the work. He is now in his second year at Hampton and has adapted to the work-load really well. He gets home and does his homework ? ALL of his homework ? straight away. This is where I think an ability to work independently and a sense of responsibility start being nurtured.

What has always stuck me about the boys that I have encountered from the school is how well they acquit themselves. I always feel that they speak well and are interesting, they are polite and appropriate and they are responsible and well-rounded. I am, without fail, impressed by the young men that Hampton turns out.

[slummymomma]

I married an old Hamptonian and can confirm that they turn out to be most suitable husbands. Interestingly enough he is still best friends with boys he met at Hampton and they also turned out very well! I'm not sure 'good husband material' is the criteria one should select a school by though!

[menagerie]

I don't know slummy, I'd be very happy if my boys were good catches!

JJ - thank you so much for that reply. It's really useful. I like the sound of Hampton more and more. I want somewhere that encourages them to take responsibility for the work they do, and if it gets them into a routine too, from an early age, that's great.

[mummel123]

This thread is from so long ago..Menagerie I am curious to know what your decision was and if you can share any experience of the school you have chosen.
I am currently in the same situation as your were back in 2011.

[SAHDthatsall]

DS is in Y8 at Hampton and all has been fine. I'd second everything JJ says above!

Work load seemed higher in Y7 than Y8. DS does plenty of sport - the quality of the coaching is high, cricket coach is very good and the new head of football has incredible credentials as do the coaches.

So all good for us so far, no complaints! Great to see the Head at football matches most weekends.

If you have any questions please ask!

[mummel123]

Thank you SAHDthatsall. We almost 98% confirmed on Hampton so far. Monday being the final day anyway.
Do you think the boys at Hampton are 'materialistic' by anyway? Our next choice was RGS which we are contemplating over.. and everyone uses this word to describe RGS saying the boys are 'down to earth' and 'non materialistic'....
What are your thoughts on this with regard to Hampton boys?

Also what thoughts on discipline?

[SAHDthatsall]

It doesn't feel materialistic at all. Feels very down to earth both the boys and parents that I know. More like a grammar school but with all the extras. Parents seem to come from a variety of backgrounds.

They seem to have short and medium length detentions for a variety of things, though we don't find out that much from DS! DS said he cannot imagine there ever being any bullying there as he feels it would be stamped out straight away. I love the atmosphere on a Saturday morning at football or cricket - if you want to get a feel for the place then turn up Saturday mornings after 10am to watch some football, have a coffee in the pavilion etc. Check there are fixtures on first though, on the website!

You get a lot of sports fixtures if you are A or B team. I think DS will have played 20+ football matches by the end of this term (over 2 terms) and there will be 10-12 cricket matches next term. However all they do provide some matches for C D E teams the number they get is quite limited.

[mummel123]

Thank you so much. We made the decision and this made me feel good about our decision. Much appreciated!

[SAHDthatsall]

No problem. Good luck. Check out the second hand sale when it's on... get there early!

[conscience13]

Hello
Does anyone has their boys in Hampton School ? Any tips on English paper as I don't see any past papers in the school website!

Thanksxx