Hampton Court House School

[putneylife]

I'm looking for more up to date experiences of this school as I'm considering it for my son in Y9 after he leaves Prep School. It's quite a leap from the structure of a Prep School to the unstructured and slightly alternative approach that HCH adopts. The sport seems to be lacking, but otherwise I'm getting a good impression - the school seems to nurture the child and with small class sizes and a very improved recent Ofsted report, it seems like a school on the up. Like Harrodian or Radnor House were in their infancy. I'd welcome thoughts/experiences!

[Zhuravel]

Considering HCH upper years for my son who is currently in a state school. Please could anyone share their experience with the school? Academically, love of learning? Thanks very much

[Rusi]

Hi, we recently moved to Surrey and need to make a quick decision about on schools for our Y9 son. Options are Hampton Court House and Radnor House. Other independent schools have no availability this year. We will have school visits and I hope this will make the decision easier, but my worry is whether they are indeed superior to "outstanding" public schools and if it is worth paying 18K if it is not a top independent school? Any recent experience on these schools? How they compare to public schools in Surrey and which one would you go for? Thanks in advance!

[helenjb]

Hi, I am considering HCH for Sixth form for my daughter - does anyone have any experience/feedback they can share please?

A levels likely to be Biology, Maths/Add Maths, Chemistry, Psychology

[user1487342522]

Hi,
is this school any good? have noticed that a lot of comments have been deleted!

[TeddTess]

er... no

[Kitibom79]

Hi, considering HCH for my yr5 DS. Is it difficult to get in?

[ReceptionMum]

If there are any parents whose children are in this school, would appreciate your current views on HCH - good and not so good points, in your opinion and experience.

Our DD will start reception this Sept and we decided to go for a local state school. Although, unfortunately, it is almost certain that we will not get any of the 3 schools that we liked (all very close but all oversubscribed) but will get our 4th preference choice. We will still give it a go but kind of keeping HCH as a plan B option, if "all goes wrong" and she does not settle. She is a summer born, so somewhere with smaller classes and more individual/caring attention will be much easier to her - this was my impression of the school when I visited it last year. Financially, this won't be easy, we will unlikely be able to pay for all school years at independent (have got a younger DS as well), but I was thinking if we have to "wait" somewhere and then re-apply for a state primary for 7+ intake (a higher chance to get into a good junior school which is our closest).

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[Gozogozo]

This is a very interesting school. It seems to have some outstanding teachers & some average to awful, & have quite a high teacher turnover. The structure of proprietor who is quite - unpredictable - plus very stern headmaster who still is open to new ideas eg sixth form school hours is possibly challenging for parents. I want to like it because I perceive it as a school seeking to keep alive a love of learning for its own sake, but I dont know enough about it to be 100%.

Parents I have met have been very very happy with it. But I don't know any enough to ask what their expectations of their children's futures were before they started. I have a dc who is bright & really loves to learn more about everything in depth & this is their time to do it! & it is clear that dc is very academic. I know that dc could do well anywhere but could they fulfil their potential at this school? Any opinions would be really helpful.

[yummymum35]

You hit the nail on the head Miggsie, really special atmosphere I often see the head speaking to children with the utmost interest and respect something I had never seen in other schools where teachers treat children without the respect they deserve. You're right about HCH they do things in a way which makes you think "wow, really?" hence the poster above saying its not for everyone.

Another mother I've grown close to whose DS is in my DD's class has another child in year 6, very bright girl previously at another local selective independent but just "not that interested" now she comes home showing her work and wanting to delve into the subject further, that really convinced me to look beyond the minor niggles and focus on the more important things.

[Miggsie]

OK my child is at HCH.
We all love it - I find the parents have more issues than the children with the approach.

It isn't standard, I still reel about some things HCH does BUT I actually think our "mainstream" education has it wrong and HCH probably has it right.

BTW anyone who thinks it isn't academic has it wrong - the upper years do work far more interesting and varied than standard schools, kids take exams when they are ready, not when it is age appropriate. The school has the highest pass rate in the country for Mandarin for example.

We chose the school as we wanted our child to have a happy school experience. Our child is very bright and turned down 2 offers from super selectives as they were "boring" - she thought their exams too easy but HCH was fun and different. They teach appropriate to the abilities of the class.

In how many schools do the teachers and children hug each other? At one concert the younger kids happily sat round their teacher hugging her legs, she didn't mind at all. Very friendly atmosphere.

The lower school is very French - in approach, temperament and teaching, that's something that takes getting used to.

I don't mind the teachers not being teacher qualified, IMO that qualification is rubbish and doesn't really tell you if the person is a good teacher from the kid's point of view.

Dominic the history teacher for example is utterly inspiring and so knowledgeable: any child taught by him is very fortunate. Wish I'd been taught history by him.

The school is also so friendly - kids welcome new kids happily, all the kids play together. DD has never had any bullying problems for being clever (or any bullying at all) which she got at her last school for instance.

[yummymum35]

Pumpkin clearly you are not happy there, probably best to take your child out if its not right for you. As for publicity for the new sixth form I really don't think they need anymore! I've seen the head being interviewed on bbc world news, the Sunday Times and pretty much every other broadsheet.

[Mutteroo]

Pumpkin89, may I ask why you are keeping your child at this school if its so bad? As you're paying a large amount of money, shouldn't you be getting the school that suits your child best? Not criticising, just wondering?

[girlpower27]

My DS started in nursery, some initial problems separating from me in the mornings though after around a month this was quickly overcome with the help of the nursery teacher who is very caring. This year he is in reception and again very happy his teacher gives him all the attention he needs and really makes me feel confident to have him participating in concerts and lots of creative activities. Have looked into qualifications and apart from lots of experience teachers are indeed qualified.