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Original poster

Hampton vs KGS

27 replies

SunsetSeaCow · 02/03/2021 12:01

Hello ... our son has an offer at Hampton school and KGS, and due to Covid we have only done online tours and are finding the resulting choice tricky! Would be very interested to hear experiences of both schools.

KGS is closer as we’re Surbiton area, however Hampton coach stop would be a 10 min walk and not sure how long the coach takes in normal times from Surbiton? Not sure which school he would be likely to have more local friends - perhaps KGS, or do they group them geographically from Hampton for forms anyway?

Wondering how much of a shock each school would be coming from a good state school (but where he coasts a bit), and most importantly is your child happy?

(I realise this is a nice problem to have, and if we’d only been offered one and not the other we would have been happy with either).

OP posts:
Skatingpark97 · 02/03/2021 12:27

Just a couple of notes re Hampton.
They are grouped by MFL language so you choose French/Spanish/German before they start, but lots of ds from Surbiton/New Maldon/Esher area.
Re sport, there is no hockey at Hampton and they choose football or rugby for both terms.
Lots come from the state system, i think around 50% at age 11 but you would need to check.

TheExtraGuineaPig · 02/03/2021 12:16

Hi there - I can't help with Hampton but I have a DD at KGS. She came from state school and it wasn't a shock at all. She loves the school - it's a very friendly place where they really value diversity (of people and approaches) and critical thinking.

I would have thought your main decision criteria was boys vs coed... and that your son might have a strong preference? The results are slightly better at Hampton but I think that any child would reach their best potential at either. I have a DS going in sept and KGS was his / our first choice, but he was absolutely not keen on a boys school

Logistically KGS is going to be easier for you, and for play dates / meeting after school etc but it is an urban school with no green space directly at school (although in normal times they can go to Fairfield at lunch).