Anyone with a ds at Denmead, Hampton?

[pequenomundo1]

I am looking for a good school in Hampton area for my bright, rugby-loving ds. Haveheard good things about Denmead. Does anyone have any experience of the school and what's the possibility of getting an assured place at Hampton?

Know it well. How old is your ds? Their entrance 'test' is effectively the 7+. Based on the results of this, your son may be offered a secured place at Hampton aged 11, but he has to stay at Denmead until then. It's a great school and very sporty - although their head of PE has recently left and he was brilliant. The Dept Head is an RFU premiership referee and sport is heavily promoted. They expanded from 1 form entry to 2 forms a few years ago which has increased pupil numbers considerably (the premises aren't huge). Aesthetically, it's not that impressive, but you have to look beyond that. Look at results ie: do all boys get their 1st choice of school at 11 or at least one school they have sat entrance exams for. The HT is a great guy, very approachable, strict but realistic. I always thought of Denmead as a more down to earth private school - the only stuck up thing about it was some of the parents .. same at any independent I suppose. I know it has changed over the last 3 years, but I still know kids that go there and they are happy and achieving. It's not a 'hot house', far from it. If you want one of those, look at the The Mall or St George's.

Thanks for this coogar. Visited the school this week and very much agree with your view on HT, premises and apparent ethos. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a place in Year 5 but need to know that ds (who is quite gregarious) will hit the ground running, as he has spent the last 2 years out of the independent sector, due to a misguided relocation:(

A friend of mine sends her boys there and thinks it's absolutely brilliant. She really admires the headmaster, the teachers, the ethos. Her boys seem happy there and do very well. She's pretty choosy about most things, so I trust her opinion. As far as I know there's a waiting list, even for Yr 5, so get his name down soon, even if you opt not to take up a place there.

Your ds can sit the 10+ to Hampton in yr 5 and he doesn't have to be at Denmead to do this as it's open to all, state & private. Historically, approx 50% of yr 6 get into Hampton