12plus exam for Hampton boys

[Jemwannaplay123]

Dear all,

My child sat the pretest exam for CE in 2016 for Hampton boys. Did not get in and has a second chance in jan 2015. I am desperate for a good Hampton tutor and for information about level required for the 12plus exam. He passed the test for KGS and we are waiting on results.

Your help will be a god semd

Why not go with a school that your DS can comfortably get into rather than trying to cram him into Hampton. It's a nice enough school but really not worth that amount of aggravation! If he has a place at KGS (who are pretty similar standing academically) why not go for that?

A lot of parents at my DSs prep were really unhappy with the way the pretext was handled last year - they seemed to be overwhelmed by numbers and herded them around like sheep. Also heard some stories if them being downright unpleasant to some. A bit of an arrogant attitude.

I have heard of several children who resat at 12+ and did not get in, so if it was my child I would definitely go with KGS. I think that anything that can remove anxiety must be better for all.

Agree with OnGoldenPond, KGS is a great school.

yes I don't understand this desperation people have to get their DC into a particular school at all cost - even when they have failed to pass the ridiculously competitive entrance test ... there are lots of other good schools out there - not saying that your DS would be in this position but generally it would be miserable being bottom of the class in one of these top academic schools - your DC can do equally well in another school like KGS where maybe he is more comfortable - schools like LEH and Kings are bound to get stellar results because they cherry pick the children they take so aggressively - and you need to be a particular kind of kid to thrive at these schools :)

My DS turned down Hampton as we didn't like the atmosphere . Having looked at KGS it was fabulous , buzzy with great kids and seems to be really going somewhere . My view of both schools was completely reversed after visiting . It was just bad luck but the boys that showed us around at Hampton were really disinterested the opposite of KGS . My DS ended up going to neither but KGS left the best impression by far . Both are great schools however !

yes I live down the road from Hampton boys and I always think what a nice school it seems and how down-to-earth and well-adjusted the boys are.

You presumably got feedback from them last year? I wouldn't consider tutoring, just same prep as before.

If you think that your DS is a good fit for Hampton, then I agree with AgaP - no need to tutor - let him retest in January 2015 and benefit from a year's maturity. If he is already in a good prep school and his teachers and head are aligned with you on DS's suitability for Hampton, and you have faith on his teachers to recognise and work through any weak areas, then I'm sure he'll be fine. Why put yourself and your son through the stress of extra tuition? Hampton is a good local school but is any school really worth being 'desperate' over?

Hello Jemwannaplay123 - did your DS end up resitting the Hampton exam or did you pitch for KGS in the end? Thanks so much!

Congratulations on passing the test for KGS - fingers crossed he gets in OP! KGS has got harder and harder, and this year seems to have been more selective than Hampton. I know several boys who got interviews at Hampton, and one even St Paul's, but didn't get one at KGS. The ones who got interviews at KGS all also got them at Hampton.
Your son is clearly bright, so should have a good chance at 12+ even without additional tutoring. And take another look at KGS - it's a fantastic school.

Argh, Zombie, sorry!

can anyone recommend a 12+ tutor to help prepare for Hampton? We have the right level of CAT scores required but need some additional help with exam technique, particularly maths.