Hampton interview tips?

[Tingo]

Hello. Do you have a boy at Hampton? Would you mind sharing advice or information about the 11plus interview?

We had a family bereavement the day after the exam and have been distracted by the funeral arrangements for the past week or two. Only just realised yesterday that DS has been invited to interview. We were not prepared for this so any advice would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you.

[Moominmammacat]

Be cheerful, articulate and interesting. Do a mock interview with him. Plan what you want to talk about. Good luck!

[Tingo]

Thanks Mooninmammacat. Sounds sensible.

[JoanByers]

Schools generally want to know that your child will 'make the most of the opportunities on offer'. So look at the sports, extra-curricular activities that they offer, and have a think about that, and how many of them he would like to join in.

[Tingo]

Thank you JoanByers.

[Copthallresident]

I would be careful not to over prepare. Cheerful, articulate and interesting, yes but spontaneous too. The old Head at Surbiton used to say that when the asked a child if they had any questions, they expected a question about sports facilities, the sort of things DCs are interested in, yet exasperatingly the question she was most asked was "If there is one thing you could change about the school what would it be"!!

I'm not sure you can prepare that much in any case, one DD ended up in an argument about North Korea's right to have nuclear arms (she had been living overseas), the other DD spent the whole interview talking about a play she had been in, not just the acting but the themes and meaning, which was all right up her street and playing to her strengths. Her friend had to come up with ideas for a story, because her exam paper had caused them to be concerned about creativity (they were right but that hasn't stopped her getting 10 A*s!). As long as they have a knowledge of what has been on the news, and are ready to talk about that and their interests and hobbies. I should also let them know that if they have a good sense of humour they shouldn't be afraid to use it, humour is a feature of Hampton's culture and I have seen boys having easy and relaxed banter with Barry Martin. The old LEH Head remarked that DD had made her laugh (Perhaps at DDs contention that North Korea should be allowed nuclear arms as long as America had them )

[Tingo]

Those children sound extremely bright Cophallresident!

Anyway, the advice has been excellent. Thank you all. I have stopped worrying now. Que sera sera! Best of luck to anyone else going through this.

[havinganightmare]

Went through this last year From memory.... DS was asked why they didn't have a house system - his own work! He loved the competition at his old school and couldnt work out why all schools dont have them apparently. I'd told him to ask about the after school clubs as he couldn't think before he went in so I was v. surprised when he told me! The man who took him was lovely and really got the best out of a v quiet DS! He was a music teacher and DS tone deaf sports jock - DS really liked him though. He was asked something about current affairs so check the headlines morning of interviews but it was nothing too deep. Definitely asked if Hampton first choice and why DS liked it. Most worrying question was what parents did for a living. Luckily he didn't say his darling dad was a lazy old so and so!! All DS mates we're asked this question so beware as this was the only question they all got! One other boy asked what he wanted to be when he grew up! Hope that helps and best of luck at a difficult time for you.

[havinganightmare]

I should've said DS asked re house system. Sorry tired!

[Timestables]

Your DS should say that Hampton is his first choice . DS1 said that although he liked it , it wasn't his first choice ( he said. That he didn't want to lie !) . He didn't get in . He got his first choice however .

[harrison1999purple]

Both my boys had interviews at Hampton and they were both fairly relaxed...but they were both asked if Hampton was their first choice! First son said yes, second said no as his brother was at RGS but it would be a yes if he got a scholarship! Both got in!
I agree that its not worth overpreparing. Your DS has done the hard bit just getting invited back; they dont turf out many after the interview. I suspect it's just to ensure that the kids are motivated, sociable and can talk confidently about themselves, the actual subject matter is largely irrelevant!

[Secretsquirrel11]

@harrison1999purple please could you tell me what the academic scholarship is worth in terms of fee reduction at 11+