Hampton Court School

[Iamaworrywart]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge of Hampton Court School from Year 7 upwards, I would love to hear from you if you do.

All I know is that they don't wear uniform! One of DD's friends has a friend who went there after primary, and they are jealous because whereas they are now in blazers etc, this girl can buy white tops and black bottoms from anywhere so gets her 'uniform' from Top Shop!!

They are shallow!

I once visited that site before the school took it over and it was a lovely old house, not sure what the travelling would be like to get there, as that part around Hampton Court and the bridge gets very congested. It is served well by buses though and the train at Hampton Court is local.

This friend is very happy there as far as I know.

So as you can see I don't really know know too much!!

I know a few people who have sent dc's there.

My impression is that the senior is better then the prep. If your dc is arty (music, drama, art) or a linguist then the senior department might suit them.

The school appears to provide a cosmopolitan, liberal and even 'alternative' style of education.

And the setting is lovely.

My message is actually on behalf of a friend. Their DD is fairly academic and on course to get L5's in Year 6 SATS but is not sporty but is keen on art and drama. This school maybe an option for them. We're hoping to go and visit the school next month.

What about KGS then?

Blimey. I've just Google'd the place (intrigued because I was born in Hampton Court). The owner's got a colourful history. All looks very rum to me.

Hmmm. I know it has a very alternative reputation. I tutor someone who used to go there, now attends 6th form elsewhere. She loved it and she is very bright indeed, articulate and intelligent, so she must have been nurtured there in some way.

Visited this school on Thursday after being recommended by another mother from work. My little one is 3 and anxious to go to school she is no longer interested in staying at home with her nanny.

The children are very polite and doing some really impressive things, there is no school uniform and the atmosphere is completely relaxed and the children look like they really enjoy being here, that for me is the most important thing so I was very impressed.

The quality of teaching is good and even though the atmosphere is relaxed I was surprised to see children so enthusiastic about the work! I went to a stuffy pretentious independent and I hated the way I was treated for me this is how schools should be.

The extra-curricular activities are varied, though the sports are somewhat lacking this is a perfect place for creative children.

The teaching for the younger children is excellent; the children are well stimulated, encouraged and prepared academically for the higher years.

KarenIsabella just goes to prove the "different strokes for different folks" point. I know a few parents there and they sent their children because they didn't get into other senior schools in the area. None of them are particularly ambitious for their DCs, but think it's a "nice" school.

KarenIsabella,

Suggest you read the Ofsted and ISI reports. Look at the GCSE results. You will be paying a lot of money for very mediocre results.

Having happy and relaxed children is important but they can be happy and relaxed in a local park. They need to be learning as well!

Checkyourfacts Indeed!

Excuse me! I have looked at the Ofsted report and yes I have looked at the results and teaching. I also sat in on some of the lessons and I can tell you that I have never seen such enthusiastic and happy children!

I was surprised to see one year three boy talk about dna strands with such passion, interest and genuine love for the subject and he was not alone the whole class was totally immersed in the work.

I am not interested in ?paying for results? I am interested in my child having a happy and stimulating environment where she can flourish, develop a passion for a subject and become the best at what she does.

Why are people interested in ?paying for results?? What is real education? Is it results or really being interested and loving what you do? Judging by the recent results ? Check them! And the Ofsted report, which is good and increasingly outstanding, I am totally satisfied and happy that my child is starting in September.

Yes check your facts here is the link for the Ofsted report

www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/133443

Mumeuro can you elaborate please - you're making a quite strong statement and it would be interesting to find out more. Thanks

My friends son is there and he couldn't be happier. He didn't have to sit a formal entrance exam so they are clearly not focussed on selecting the most academic students but the other aspects of the school suits this particular child. Lovely location to.

My daughter is at this school, all I can say is that we couldn't be happier. The teaching is great, the whole atmosphere is conducive to learning, and I mean real learning not just doing well in formal exams!

I can see the leaders of tomorrow coming from schools such as this one, the school is in a class of its own. This article in The Times featuring a student from Hampton Court House is typical of how children are encouraged and nurtured to have big aspirations and goals:

How to find the next Zuckerberg?

I think to really understand how the school does things and why it is becoming increasingly popular you have to see it for yourself.

I would love to know more about the school

I have friends with kids there who are extremely happy. Very creative, artistic, small classes, unpressured. Bright kids who hated the rigidity, rules and ton of homework from the state sector.

My daughter went to this school and we were very happy with it. The only reason we left is that we relocated abroad. It is not true that mostly children with challenging behaviour attend this school. In my daughter's class there were a lot of very bright children who were not only academically very able but also excelled in sport, music etc. I also think this school allows your child to master French, however any other prep school with foreign language lessons 2-3 times per week won't deliver simply because there are not enough hours. There are a lot of foreign children in HCH which I liked because your child learns to appreciate and respect other people cultures.