Kings or Hampton

I mean I found car parking so far much easier for Hampton than kings .

I hope they don’t start painting yellow single line on that street soon with parking restriction .

Hampton parent here and happy - particularly the teaching/academic side of school, which is unbelievably good. Quite a lot of pressure though - regular grade cards (every term), regular tests for each subject as you go through the term. If you're falling behind, you'll know it. That suits my bright but dreamy/laid back son. Coming on here mainly to say that we looked at both and my son did not want to go to Kings - found it too old-fashioned - and if I'm honest I had presumed academic standards would be higher at Kings, but that side has been excellent at Hampton. There are some seriously clever boys.

@Rubiesue
thank you.

yes love tiffin . I pass by tiffin a lot . The kids there seem v well behaved and down to earth.
I think aspie mums have chance to appeal for local comp via council . Unlike private schools.

Good to know they have A-z teams for sports in kings also alike Hamptons .
Huge relief . Thanks .

he sat kings already. I was amazed he was not stressed at all and v calm . ( although I hide well my own stress) .

we will just go by ears to see what comes to offer.

heard an aspie got into St. Paul but becomes v withdrawn & muted didn’t settle in well .
So I am also ready to take DC out anytime even if got in but if didn’t settle in well .

@Candyfloss2 haha extreme math/chess/music — sounds like he will fit in just right at kings!

btw, I would say if your boy is only 6 yo, don’t assume he’s not sporty. I thought my son, aged 6, would never be sporty (I’m not!) but about age 7 or 8 something clicked. He got really into sport.

fwiw Kings has about 8 (?) different grades of teams in secondary, from the A team (super able) all the way down.

Lowest team still encouraged to enjoy it all, just that they play with equally “non sporty” boys. So there is definitely a huge range.

kcs does have two whole afternoons of sport a week (at secondary) since the school thinks this body-mind connection is important (fit in body and mind!). I think this is true for most independent schools. By contrast, state comps often simply don’t have resources to provision so much sport. This might suit some kids.

Lots to be said for your local comp. Ditto grammar schools (and your son sounds like he might also ultimately fit really well into say Wilson’s or Tiffin. note Tiffin strong on maths, but also has much less sport (& no football). I don’t know about Wilson’s, but it’s the top grammar. But at age 6, I’d say your kid might change.

my advice: visit the schools, speak to the schools. If positive vibes, Sit kings and the prep for Hampton, see what/or if he gets either & go from there.

great info about kings . Thanks @Rubiesue
I noticed the very obvious competitiveness in Hamtpon on open day.

my DC is extreme math / chess / music type & not ounce of sport .
He is not obvious aspie ( just me secretly suspect off the radar ) can blend in crowd.
unless school has very very sharp trained eyes during interview.

Oh just seen this is 7+ — just contact the schools, they will be super helpful. They don’t want a poor match for your child! KCS (as of last year!) now lets children from junior go into senior without another (horrible 11+!) test. It’s in their interest to ensure a good match for the long run!

@Candyfloss2 I don’t know about Hampton but I am sure there some kids at kings with Asperger’s. KCS is big on pastoral support. However, it certainly also does encourage competitiveness (in academics, music, sport). To be avoided maybe if you already think a competitive environment wouldn’t suit your son?

Fwiw kings has the reputation of being less “alpha sporty” than Hampton (Hampton is v keen/good at sport!!). But KCS is still super competitive in all areas! You get some outstanding kids. It can be hard to shine, especially if you shone throughout primary! Can come as a shock to some new year 7s!

Could you make enqs directly with the schools? Ask about provisions for Asperger children. They may already give you (subtle or not so subtle) feedback to try elsewhere.

I remember a previous 11+ thread I was on (different name) and a mum of an aspie was very upset with Hampton who she felt clearly ruled against her son at interview and didn’t give him a place (& I suspect kings would be “worse”!). But it could also be that her child was a bit borderline on the Hampton test (he didn’t get into some of the grammars, I recall!).

To your son, it may be that another perhaps smaller or more nurturing school would be better?

however no school wants an entire class of alpha males! Can you imagine how horrible for the teachers. Bottom line, if your son performs really well, and gets an interview, let him be himself at interview (which he surely will be if an aspie!). Teachers will be looking for an array of kids - extroverts, introverts, quirky, sporty, musical (tho yep, all will need to be super academic, with high scores on the papers!).

@Candyfloss2 , as you are just starting this process for the 7plus from your threads in the primary section really don't worry until the offer letters are in front of you.

Asperger tendency . I am scared of competitive sporty alpha boys (future )classmates

worth observing that KCS is the top boys’ school in the league tables. For several years now, according to The Times (& their web site, all data are there!)

kings is followed by St Paul’s and Westminster. But Hampton is in the top ten. To get in to these schools (any!), you need to have scored very well on the entrance tests, the interviews, your school reference.

As a previous poster said, Kings won’t offer you a spot unless they think your child will thrive. So if they do offer then take it!

However, if Hampton is closer then go with that. I think we often get “feels” for schools when we visit, but ultimately we don’t really know the school until our child is there. I’ve heard of incredibly happy and unhappy kids at both schools!

Hang around the schools at closing — what are the boys like? Probably quite similar! Both have excellent sports, music, drama, clubs, but kings cuts it in terms of academic outcomes.

Of course some people reject kings (or st Paul’s and Westminster) for Hampton, but it works the other way too: loads of boys at kings took Hampton too, and rejected it!

in terms of stretching, and worrying your kid won’t be stretched enough, you are kidding me? Both schools are going to STRETCH your child. In good ways! Have no fear of that.

Loads and loads of schools won’t stretch, but these schools go very, very fast. But you don’t need to worry about whether your kid will keep up. As above, he won’t get a place if the school has doubts. The schools know what they are doing!

Bump

@MomsTheWorld ,
Just fyi when my ds joined Hampton age 11 at least 2 ds in the class had turned down KCS, 1 for school travel time and 1 for sport (more football at Hampton).

@MomsTheWorld , just about Hampton being on site and KCS a short distance away from the school but it's minor. Go with Hampton if it's 15 mins away from home, it's fantastic as I'm sure you saw on Thurs and the ds are happy and busy.

@hockeygrass thanks for your response. Yes, agree about the IB option at KCS, however that isn’t a big criteria for us (for now 😀)

What are you referring to when you say ‘the location of the sports field’ please?

@Jumpalicious thanks so much for your comments.

DS has coped very well with the 11+ process; he is curious and enjoys learning.

As you have said K seemed very fast paced and H seemed a bit relaxed, hence the doubt whether H will stretch him academically (both schools had great co - curricular activities), however based on however response, I think H appears relaxed (we loved the warm vibe in the school) but is still fast paced.

Distance wise H is a 15 minute bus ride whereas K is about an hour on public transport, so H seems more feasible.

Thanks again.

@MomsTheWorld , yes go with distance. If he is very academic Kings has the option of IB but other than that there isn't much difference esp if you aren't taking the location of sports fields into account.

@MomsTheWorld definitely agree: go with closer.

KCS is incredibly fast paced. So I understand your wobble. BUT your son would not have been offered a spot unless they thought he’d be right. The teachers really know what they are doing.

Of course, there is something to be said about a more relaxed pace. But that wouldn’t be Hampton either. You know your son: is he hungry for academics, interested, bored at primary etc? Did he quite enjoy the 11+ process. Or did you have to pester him, with tears etc? I hadn’t appreciated the massive step-up at secondary. But for children who are self driven, who actively enjoy academics, I’d say these very fast paced schools are great.

But yes, go for nearer. Excellent co curricular at both options. Let us know what you decide!

Hello,

DS has offers from KCS and Hampton. From the comments above, I understand that both schools are good and commute should be one of the main considerations?

DS is academic but also likes to participate it co curricular activities to such as music, games and quizzing. I understand that KCS is better in the league tables ranking as it is more selective and is suited for very academically focused boys.

Very confused and would appreciate your advice. Thank you.

Good luck to your DS too. Three of my son’s school friends are going to Kings and they are lovely boys!!

We decided on Hamptons in the end. Both great schools but we went with my son’s gut on where he thought he’d be happier.