Hampton Court House- views please!

56 replies

KindergartenKop · 15/02/2022 19:33

My child is looking at a variety of schools in the area including KGS and Ewell Castle. Hampton Court House is convenient for us transport wise but it doesn't seem to be included in peoples' lists along with the other schools I've mentioned. Is this because it's more/less selective? Does it aim at a different demographic? It seems a bit 'odd' but I can't put my finger on why! Does anyone have their kid's at HCH? How hard is it to get into? What is it like?

Thanks

OP posts:

sunshineclouds24 · 15/02/2022 22:04

It's a very long process esp if you start at 10plus but in general everyone ends up at a school that is at the right level for their dc plus there is more movement than you would expect of dc changing schools during the first few years.

Original poster

KindergartenKop · 15/02/2022 21:57

All apart from Halliford are on my list, thanks.

Honestly, how bright are the kids at Hampton/Surbiton? My son is at a state primary and has a tutor who reckons he's capable of passing but I think I under estimated how competitive the SW grammar/independent schools are. It's stressing me out! What you said about the 10+ is reassuring though, thanks :)

OP posts:

NeverEnoughCake2 · 15/02/2022 21:56

We're in the area and also only know one family who even looked at a secondary place at HCH, and they were doing so after not getting the state secondary place they were hoping for.

It's definitely an alternative option. My impression is that it's a very small school, which may work well for some but not for others. We didn't look at it as there wasn't enough sport for DS and we thought he could drift a bit with the student-led learning - he has daydreaming tendencies at times! Also, we couldn't find any info about extra-curricular offerings on their website, which didn't inspire confidence.

If you're looking for somewhat less selective than Hampton or KGS, have you looked at Halliford?

sunshineclouds24 · 15/02/2022 21:47

Thanks, im addicted to MN!
My dc are at Hampton and Surbiton and have been for many years but I know the local schools very well.
Don't worry about the 10 plus, I have hardly ever met a dc who got a KGS 10plus place and those that do rarely go there as gaining the place means they are bright enough for Tiffin or scholarships at top schools at 11.
Hampton 10plus is a good indicator but many also don't go there in the end.
Halliford, Radnor and Claremont Fan may be better back ups than Hampton Court House (with Ewell Castle also on your list).

Original poster

KindergartenKop · 15/02/2022 21:26

@sunshineclouds24 you are the font of all knowledge! I didn't know that RH and HCH were owned by the same people.

What other schools are you looking at? My son is bright (exceeding in 2/3 areas on last report) but didn't pass the 10+ for either Hampton or KGS. We will have another go at the 11+ for those schools but I don't want to apply to loads of very selective schools and not to get into any of them!

OP posts:

sunshineclouds24 · 15/02/2022 21:17

@KindergartenKop , I also live near by and I've only ever met 1 family who had dc at Hampton Court House and they had moved to the area from abroad with several dc and had been able to find places for all of them at the school.

I think it's good that there is an alternative option in the area as so many of the other schools listed on this thread are pretty much the same.

The main facts I know are no uniform, yrs 1-4 French immersion, some of the dc live in west London and travel down the A3 to school and it's been bought by Dukes Education in past few years. Dukes also own Radnor House and have bought a site called Kneller Hall in Whitton to open as an enlarged Radnor House in the future. I wonder if the HCH prep will also feed into Radnor.
You probably know all of the above already!

PS - the head of Ewell Castle use to be the deputy head of surbiton high senior school and is highly rated.

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