Hampton Boys School - Advice please!

[Irenicon]

We are trying to decide if Hampton Boys is the right school for our DS and would really appreciate insights from any parents of boys at the school.

Our DS is quite an introvert boy in a social environment although very confident in his home environment. He loves reading and Scouts more than anything and is most excited about the CCF at whatever school he goes to. He reads the newspaper daily but not hugely sporty although he enjoys playing cricket. My concern is that Hampton is such a big school and I feel like he could be swallowed up a bit as he naturally doesn't stand out or put himself forward for things. I would love to hear any thoughts from those with experience of the school have. Thank you in advance!

[BeaglesAbout]

We have two boys at Hampton.
The elder is very outgoing and sociable, a bit sporty but not hugely.
The younger (14) is much more introvert, not at all sporty and a lot less sociable.
Both LOVE the school. The younger one even more so, if anything. Hampton is a school where it's big enough to have a group of friends no matters what you're into.
Sure, if you are an country-standard sportsman, you'll slot right in. But so do chess whizzes, maths nerds and DJ-champs.
It's a very supportive school and the academics are second to none.

[63summer]

I have a son at Hampton in Year 10. He joined in year 9 and absolutely loves it. He's an average sportsman but has found some great like minded friends. I think the larger environment has been good for him as there's definitely something and someone for everyone at the school and the academics and teachers are fantastic.

[Irenicon]

Thank you both so much for your thoughts; it's very reassuring to read your experiences.

Quick questions - we are deciding whether the school coach which picks up quite near our house or the 111 bus from Kingston would be better. Any views on one over the other?

Also I was wondering what the homework load is like in year 7 as well? Many thanks

[BeaglesAbout]

The homework in year 7 is fairly modest. There is a solid focus in that year on getting the boys to integrate - which is why they tend to group them by where they live in Yrs 7 and 8
Our elder boy was at the London Oratory in Yr. 7 and it was heavier there.
The School Bus is very handy and the boys seem to like the camaraderie on the bus. But it's about £300 per term, and TFl is free!

[PhilippaFawcett]

I have a boy in the first year who is fairly introverted and not particularly sporty, and he is loving Hampton. He has made lovely friends and found lots of new interests. Not much homework either, and lots of non academic things going on, such as cooking week this week.

[Irenicon]

Thank you for your helpful responses. It sounds like such a great school.

[Irenicon]

I have a younger son whom I considering putting forward for the 10 + (I didn't know this was possible when my 11 year old was the same age). Do you think any weight at all is given to siblings? I know publicly that Hampton says it doesn't. Are there any disadvantages to sitting it?

[BeaglesAbout]

Siblings make a difference if child two is borderline. Unofficially.
But if they think he won’t make the grade, it makes no difference.
There is no downsides to the 10+ other than your prospects of getting a scholarship - and they are damn difficult to get- are (obviously) reduced if you’ve already accepted a place.
But then you have a place!

[Irenicon]

Thank you! Yes good points.

[Tid13]

As BeaglesAbout says, there are NO downsides to 10+

More years ago than I would care to mention, I sat the 10+ in a bid to follow my brother to Hampton, and did not pass. It was the first thing I had ever "failed", but crucially then, as today, Hampton give feedback on the 10+ performance, so my parents and I knew exactly what I had to work on for the 11+ the following year, which I passed very well thank you very much!

As a result of this experience we had our son sit the 10+ for Hampton a couple of years ago explaining to him it would be good practise, get him used to doing exams in unfamiliar surroundings, and we'd get some feedback about his performance. As it was he passed (clearly cleverer than his old man!). He went back a year later to sit the 11+ with a view to gaining a scholarship, and I imagine this was far less stressful knowing he'd been there before and knew to an extent what to expect. It was certainly less stressful on his parents!

As you have already registered you don't have to pay again to sit the 11+ a year later so you don't lose out financially, and I have reason to believe that you won't be hindered in scholarship stakes even if you've already accepted.

Honestly, I cannot think of a single reason why anyone even vaguely thinking of Hampton wouldn't sit the 10+

[entrusteddad]

Hi All, first time on mumsnet...
We visited Hampton earlier in the year and were very impressed as was our son who now has his heart set on going there. We have decided to enter him for the 10+ in Nov 2018.
Our son goes to a local primary school and is in the top sets in all his subjects, consistently getting 80% or higher in practice tests.
Does anyone have any advice on if this is good enough to get a place? Did anyone's son sit it last year and get a place - what sort of marks was your son getting in the practice tests?
I want to be realistic about his chances and manage his expectations as we get closer to the exam. Thanks!

[Sunshine5050]

entrusteddad, there are only 20 x 10 plus Hampton places and a large number of bright boys sitting, use the exam as practice as your ds will sit the 11+ at Hampton anyway if you are offered a 10 plus place as the 11 plus exam is used as the scholarship paper too. Not all the ds offered a 10 plus place take it despite the parents paying the large deposit to Hampton as they go to Tiffin or other private secondary schools instead. It's best to use the 10+ process at both Hampton and Kingston Grammar as good practice for the following year especially as both schools give feedback to parents although I wouldn't suggest taking both as it's too much pressure in Year 5 before the big push in Year 6.
Finally not all the top of the year at Hampton come from the 10 plus intake, the school have said that often the top 11+ exam results come from ds taking the 11 plus only.

[sw15007]

Teddy king-could you pm me as well - I could have written almost exactly the same post!

[Teddyking1]

Sw15007 sent u a pm

[Rioiscalling]

Teddyking1, I'm also considering 10+ for my DS this autumn, although it is coming around far too quickly, imo! Also concerned that it may be too much as he will also do KGS 10+ as DC1 there already. Would you be able to PM me details of your experience, too. So, you don't have to pay again for 11+?? Thank you!

[Teddyking1]

Rio have sent you a pm

[Wisedad1]

Teddyking1, Could you kindly send me a PM as well for Hampton 10+? Thank you so much!

[shoegal100]

Hello! Would any previous posters on this thread care to share how prep for the 10+ in Nov is going? Or anyone have any advice in general?

[Tw1mum]

Following...

[4u2nv]

Hi did your DS get offered a scholarship? I am under the impression that if you accept the 10+ Advanced place it’s extremely difficult to be offered a scholarship interview as you have accepted the place. This scholarship process seems to be used as a tool to woo the brightest kids outside of the 10+

[MomWorried]

Hi Patents, I need some insight into 12+ exam at Hamptons. We are in the process of doing so this year in Dec 21.
I know your posts were related to 10+ if any of the previous parents have gone through this please advise. My concern is if a boy is achieving 85% or above is it good enough to get into Hampton ? Also what type of questions are asked during interview session ? Just wanted to take a view how this works. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance

[MomWorried]

Hi Parents sorry typo error