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Secondary education

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Original poster

Hampton school vs Dulwich college

16 replies

hniu · 05/03/2016 17:28

Hi! Have to choose between Hampton and Dulwich and would be very grateful for any insiders view of the 2 schools.

We found nothing but praise about both schools, which makes our choice extremely difficult.

Hampton is more local to us and seems stronger academically. However, from the open day we had an impression that Dulwich is more diverse and flamboyant, while Hampton school being a lot more formal, trying to do everything "by the book". Not sure if that is correct, as open days and reports could be misleading. Therefore we would be very grateful for any insider views!

OP posts:
cakeisalaystheanswer · 05/03/2016 18:18

They are nowhere near each other, where are you?

GinandJag · 05/03/2016 18:28

Can't imagine where you would live to reach each school easily.

Kuppenbender · 05/03/2016 19:24

Not quite sure what to say. DS is extremely happy at Hampton which makes it hard for me not to sound like a promotional brochure. The school seems to cater very well to musicians, academics, athletes and artists etc...

I'm not sure what you mean with 'by the book'. They seem quite forward thinking and adventurous to me with their Mindfulness courses, Future Problem Solving and use of technology in the class, but then I'm sure Dulwich have interesting ideas of their own.

'More local to us' seems to me to be quite a compelling factor when choosing between the two.

chickindude · 05/03/2016 20:40

It would take forever to get to Dulwich from Hampton. They are absolutely nowhere near each other.
1 hour with no traffic during the day ( at a push) well over 2 hours with traffic. Public transport would take longer.
If you live near Hampton, I don't think you have much to think about really.

Original poster
hniu · 05/03/2016 21:56

We live in Norbiton area. There are school coaches for both schools, but Hampton is nearer.

OP posts:
cakeisalaystheanswer · 05/03/2016 22:06

Are you sure Dulwich run a school coach from the Kingston area?

Original poster
hniu · 05/03/2016 22:25

There is one from Raynes park station.

OP posts:
SAHDthatsall · 05/03/2016 22:49

On the schools, I don't know DC that well but feel they are quite similar. DS is in Y7 at H and all is great for us, they work them hard and they play hard too,

On the travel I would caution against such an early coach to DC, it is a long day. We looked at potentially Whitgift for Y6 entry but that would've meant driving him everyday to get a bus just after 7am which I felt was too early, too much.

There's also the after school pickups sometime also, are you able to do that or is there public transport to DC? We played DC at football a couple of weeks ago on Fri pm and I reckon they will have got back to DC at about 5pm if they were lucky. The 111 bus outside the Hampton gates goes to Kingston would work well for you.

cakeisalaystheanswer · 05/03/2016 23:07

Raynes Park Station isn't in Norbiton.

Your DS would I hope be the only one in his year commuting all the way over to Dulwich from the Kingston area so he would have no local friends. Hampton is an excellent school and he is lucky to have a place there, it is easily commutable by public transport and there are loads of boys there from Kingston. DS had a place at Hampton but decided to go elsewhere, DS2 is interested in Dulwich which is now commutable as we have since moved, so I am familiar with both schools. I think Dulwich is much prettier but other than that they are very similar and I would not inflict a long journey on a child to travel to one in preference to the other.

ohtobeanonymous · 06/03/2016 05:17

From what you've said about where you live, Hampton is a 'no brainer'! Dulwich is an absolute B%*$) to get to from Norbiton and would add so much unnecessary travel time to your DC's day.
They are both great schools - he will do best at one where he is not exhausted from travelling and has local friends.

Eastpoint · 06/03/2016 05:28

Hampton every day from where you live. How would he get home after matches, play rehearsals, school trips if he lives across London from Dulwich? He would be socially isolated if he went to school in a completely different part of London.

TeddTess · 06/03/2016 08:54

you are mad to be considering Dulwich from Norbiton !!!

whatwouldrondo · 06/03/2016 12:52

I have reason to consider the pastoral care at Dulwich to be amongst the best in the country and have experienced them going well beyond what you would expect. It is a great school and it is more diverse and "real" than Hampton

BUT

I would never send a child there from Norbiton. His friends will be from Bromley and Bermondsey, how are you going to manage that when he needs picking up from their houses and parties. You do realise that on a good day you will spend well over an hour on the South Circular to get there. I spent six months making that journey almost daily, even sometimes going via the M25 or Carsholton because it was quicker. Don't do that to your son.

Hampton is a great option and there will be plenty of pupils travelling from Kingston on the coach.

S999 · 07/03/2016 00:59

We have taken a place at DC but we are in central London and I think that is definitely manageable...in fact we moved to the right side of London for DS to commute...

AVHB · 17/02/2017 23:06

Hi. Can anyone recommend a good math tutor for Hampton school ? Many thanks in advance

Emilie1 · 14/05/2017 21:49

Hello,

I am also interested in a good math tutor for Hampton School. Please feel free to send me recommendations.

Best wishes,

Emilie

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