Milbourne lodge Esher Vs Hampton prep, Hampton

[Shrads]

Any parents sending their kids to either Milbourne lodge school in Esher or Hampton prep; would you be able to share your thoughts on these schools? My DS has been offered a place at both the schools for Yr 3 and we need to choose. One is 13+ school vs another 11+. But any first hand experience of d schools will be really appreciated.

TIA

It depends if you want your ds to go on to Hampton school or not. If you aren't sure then go for the nearest to you as they are both in areas of busy traffic.

Thanks Sunshine. IN terms of distance, both are equidistant for us from where we are; for Hampton we will have to traverse Kingston's one way system though.
In terms of Hampton Prep; does it primarily prepare kids to go to Hampton senior only ? And not other top senior schools? TBH, at this stage; we don't know at this stage what senior schools will suit my DS. He is more quiet kind of boy rather than outgoing / talkative one .

I'm not a parent at hampton Prep so not in a position to say but I would really question the school re their preparation for schools other than Hampton for which they have 20 assured places this year. It's quite a long way to travel if you aren't sure you want Hampton school in the future but on the other hand if you go for Milbourne Lodge it limits your choice for Kingston Grammar that has its main entry at 11. Maybe go on what works best for your ds and don't worry about secondary schools.

Bearing in mind youngest DC is now Y8 so a long time since I looked at preps and that the school has now been sold, historically Milbourne has been a strong prep for boarding schools and top London Indys. It used to call itself the country Colet Court. I can't see a list of recent destinations on their website but if you look at the scholarship boards the boys are photographed against it gives you a general idea of the kind of schools the boys progress to. No idea if this is still the case but you need to find out because if so it will attract very wealthy parents looking for top boarding schools. It will be very different to somewhere like Denmead/Hampton which will mostly be 11+ parents trying to avoid the tutoring.
If Milbourne is still as it was then these are 2 very different schools and one will suit much more than the other depending on what you are looking for.

I think Milbourne is changing, I've heard only 2 going to boarding school this year. It's still getting the places at KCS, RGS, Hampton etc but the squeeze on day places for boys is being felt by all preps. Shrewsbury House has the boarding links at the moment.

Shrads - ask the schools for a detailed breakdown of where the boys went last year and split between day and boarding. Its the only way to be 100% sure.

Each year group can be totally different in a school and comparing where children went last year will have little influence on where they go this year and where the year after.

Schools that send to a wide range of senior schools would be best for someone who doesn’t yet know what school, or sort of school they want, or equally if they are currently unsure about leaving at 11or 13.

Thanks everyone for your viewpoints.

We are very clear that we will not be looking for boarding schools at senior and aren't targeting grammar schools either. Ideally, we would like DS to go to St Pauls / KCS or top day indys but then we really don't know at this stage if he has the calibre. I understand with Hampton we are restricting our options to Hampton senior which again is very good school and through assured places scheme, it will give us more chances for DS to get senior.
In terms of 11+ Vs 13+, any suggestions which are better options?
I will drop email to Milbourne just to get an idea of break-up for destinations.

I disagree trinity. DS1 attended a very academic 13+ prep where London day schools were always the first choice, no more than 1 or 2 went onto boarding in any year group. I just checked their destinations and its still the same. DS2 is at a different prep which is known for pupils going on to boarding schools and the vast majority do every year. The parent group at prep 2 is completely different in so many ways I could write a book about it.

Shrads-if you are set on SPs/KCS then Denmead isn't your best bet. But they are just schools (and I say that as a KCS parent). Hampton has a slightly broader intake but it does extremely well with it's brightest. Are you sure its worth the travelling if Hampton is nearby?

Thanks cake. For us in terms of distance both are equidistant but we are other side of river and hence will have to travel through Kingston one way system. I have written to school to get breakdown of leavers. I think I have quite a few good points to ponder.

Just an idea but I noticed there is a Hampton School open day on 6th March, it might be worth visiting to get an idea of the secondary set up.

Thanks sunshine. Very good suggestion and I will book for open day at seniors but I will have to decide on school offers asap. :(

We had the same choice and decided on Hampton a week or so ago after much debate! Have PMed you. Great choice to have though, well done him.

What did you decide in the end?

Hi there. I have a boy in year 10 at Hampton and a boy in form 3 at Milbourne. We love both schools. Our eldest is a musical artistic boy. Not sporty at all. He really really struggled at Hampton in the first 3 years. Bullying. Now he is happy. And doing really well at school. In voices of lions. The choir and really involved in rowing as well. We are happy now but there were a couple of years where we sort of regretted putting our gentle boy into such a big sporty school. However it would be great to not have as much pressure to get into a great senior school which u would get with hampton prep. MIlbourne is a wonderful school. Quirky and small. With lovely traditions and a super head teacher. It seems to bring out the best in every child. My youngest is really sporty and happens to be in a year with a great rugby team. He is loving all the sport and various activities. I think k it is nice to not have to leave the school until year 8. The kids are so young at 11 to have to go to senior school.

Thanks Jenny. I am surprised you say that Hampton prep will have more pressure compared to Milbourne. I thought Hampton prep might be slightly easier route to Hampton seniors? On the other hand, since ML doesn't have linked senior school, it might be more pressured environment for the years leading on to exams?
Trinity- My heart was set on to ML ; though logic pointed to Hampton prep specially the advantage of assured entry scheme to seniors!

If your son would thrive at Hampton then he would be offered a place from the pre-tests in year 6 anyway. But if you go to a prep that isn’t a feeder you keep your options open if by the time your son is 10 he has changed or your requirements of a senior School has changed from decisions made when he was 6/7

Thanks all. Finally gave notice at current prep..one decision sorted for now!

Hello JennyMalaysia,
You have mentioned bullying, you mean bullying at Hampton? I am just little bit worried,confused as my son currently studying in a very nurturing smaller Catholic Independent School. He was invited for an interview at Hampton's,waiting for results. I am quite worried and concerned as my son is soft spoek spoken,very polite,kind,geeky,academic,competitive but least -least sporty.Will he get bullied for that?

Many thanks

Sorry , spelling mistakes

Hi there I'm sure I'm too late to reply for you but my reply may benefit others. My boy is similar to yours. Geeky not sporty musical shy. He has also recently told us he is gay.jes 16 now. He was bullied alot in the first years at Hampton and was never happy really. Hampton is a very big school. Lots of very sporty alpha males and it is not good at all at pastoral care in my opinion. Mostly. Let's boys get on with it. He is now in Brighton college for 6th form. Partial boarding. Loves it. Like a different child. Mixed is defo much better for the type of child he is. Nurturing. Kind. Sooooooo much better. I regret very much putting him in Hampton. That being said I think Hampton would be great for my youngest. A sporty alpha male who is great at rugby.