Hampton versus Kingston Grammar

[user1486731328]

Hi, we have offers for both Hampton and KGS for our DS. Can anyone tell me anything about these schools and how to choose between them?

Presumably you have looked round them both - what did you like/dislike about each?

I guess the co-ed vs boys thing is something you must have a feel for

And what about the difference in site/location - Hampton has all the space etc but is rather isolated, KGS much more urban, less space (though Ditton Field is fabulous, where they do their sport) but much more fun place to be at school - they all love having Kingston on the doorstep

KGS is a very happy place generally, fairly laid back. I don't have personal experience of Hampton but all the boys I know who go there seem to like it and do well.

What is your gut feeling? What is your ds like?

I have a DS at Hampton and have been surprised (pleasantly) at how little homework he has. He came from a prep school but seems to have far less than he did there and his reports and grades are all good, so I don't think he's not doing it!
Maybe the change at 11 is more dramatic.
I do love the fact that they don't appear to have holiday homework which means the holiday really is a holiday.
No experience of KGS

They are very different schools.
A few questions to ask yourself

1. the obvious all male vs coed
2. journey to school: coached in to Hampton with the LEH girls vs independent bus/train to KGS. Which will he prefer? The coach is easy and reliable yet DD would have found it quite stressful/claustrophobic with the same characters day in, day out you can't get away from
3. How sporty is your ds? Hampton sport is onsite (rowing at Sunbury) and often at lunchtime. KGS sport is mostly at Ditton Field -how will your ds travel to/from these locations for sport?
4. dd is yr8. her friends from primary who went to Hampton were overwhelmed with homework in yr7. She wasn't -yr7 homework is fairly light, focus is on organisation, extra curricular, transition. Her homework has picked up significantly however since Christmas.

What does your ds think? Which is the best journey?

Our DS also has offers from Hampton and KGS. We are not that clear which would suit best. Hampton appears to have the edge with slightly better results and "exceptional" or "excellent" everything according to ISI. But KGS results are very good, it's "excellent" or "good" on ISI report, it's co-ed (not a great issue but we have a younger DD), and it's nearer. DS favours KGS as a friend is going there too. It seems to be a very caring school and maybe less pressured than Hampton (on homework say?), which might suit DS better. However should we be worried when Hampton obviously feel he can handle it? (900+ boys for 85 places in Y7 after all).

Hampton would require the school coach or train/bus and would take maybe 1 hour more commute time in total each day. Is it worth that sacrifice of time everyday? It's a real conundrum for us.

At least DS would not miss out on extras as most clubs seem to be at the extended lunch time at Hampton. He would get back home earlier if he was at KGS, which means he may be spending more time home alone - so the longer day at Hampton may actually be positive in that one parent is more likely to be at home when he gets back.

Anyway any comments welcome! Thank you

kkk123
there are many boys at KGS who also had offers from Hampton - particularly those living Surbiton/Thames Ditton/Kingston areas.

However those i know from the Twickenham area typically chose Hampton over KGS when they had both offers.

Hampton is an amazing school, I honestly hear nothing but good about it. However I think 5 extra hours a week commuting is a LOT.

Is your dd LEH material? Will she/you want co-ed for her? KGS whilst no sibling policy do seem kind to siblings

You have a lovely choice. We got an offer from Hampton too but have decided the commute would be too long. I also know from other parents that as the boys get older and more into sport training is in the evenings-making it a nightmare at pick up. I honestly think your DS will do well in whichever school, don't over analyse league tables, remember time is very precious so would go with the easiest commute.

Hampton offers a wider range of sport than KGS. Is that important?

I don't know how the KGS students spend their lunch hour, as it has virtually no outside space and situated in the most polluted street in Kingston.
In Hampton the boys are always out, they are playing football, running shoeless, rolling on the ground. If you have a very active boy, who does not like to be cooped up, then Hampton is a better match.

I have children at both Hampton & KGS & know a few others in the same boat.
If you have any specific questions please feel free to pm me.

Thanks for all your comments. It is really interesting to hear different perspectives.

On the commute KGS wins: he prefers the shorter and simpler one to KGS, but admits the coach option to Hampton is ok just longer.

On sport Hampton wins: Our boy is not that sporty although he does like run around at break times. He'd like to try rugby (not at KGS) and other sports that he hasn't been able to do before. He doesn't much like hockey (big at KGS), although these things are not so important that they are deal breakers.

On drama they are equal: He likes drama a lot and both schools seem great at that with curricular and clubs opportunities.

KGS wins for our DD: She is not so academic and scientific, she is totally different - very keen on art and creative type. She would prefer a co-ed so very much in KGS' favour, if she is academic enough to get in. I guess the school might favour her if she was a borderline case if she had a sibling already there, but it doesn't seem to be the KGS policy - although I will ask to check. As they seem so different (at least at the mo) they may well need different schools.

What are peoples views today on both the schools KGS Vs Hampton ?

My son wrote the KGS exam and stated the paper was easy.

Apart from the Coed and Sports factors discussed, do people have any revised views on their academics. I know KGS ranks below Hampton in theleague tables. Is that difference material ?

Any pointers / thoughts/ advices

GCSE results 2023 Hampton 91% 9-7 vs 90% 9-7 at KGS. I would call that difference absolutely tiny. KGS sport is hockey, one of the few schools where boys don't have to play rugby, which can be a huge plus for some.

Having met many parents with kids at both, they all seem very, very happy with their schools. I think they are both amazing schools and academically the difference is insignificant so you will have to go with gut feeling / facilities / boys vs coed.

The only thing against Hampton boys I personally have is the fact that it is boys only school. But if you don't mind, ans your son's friends are mainly male then it is top choice. Fabulous school

Both schools are great and produce very similar GCSE results. Getting to and from Ditton Field for sports at KGS is easy as they provide transport to and from school or they can get the train from Hampton court if that is easier. The sports are excellent, and they field A-E teams so everyone is included. I have friends with boys at Hampton and they are very happy. My DS got offers to both and we chose KGS. This was because we all wanted coed and the commute was far easier. There is enough outdoor space for them at break times, I really wouldn't worry about that. As they get older, they love going into Kingston with their friends for a bite to eat. He has loved KGS and so have we. I suppose it just comes down to coed or single sex, and the commute. Whatever you chose he'll be in a great school.

Thank you ! I thought Hampton had a slight edge in terms of Academic results.
Also is the split between girls and boys 50/50 in each class?
At KGS, is the teaching and academics a bit laid back compared to Hampton or is the school pushy in terms of achieving grades /Home work. A fine balance is always good.

@mrDoubt there is no split in Hampton. It is all boys schoil

I have friends whose sons had offers from both. One went to KGS - he's a very academic and driven lad, not particularly sporty, did extremely well in his GCSEs. Brother is a lot more sporty (football etc) and whilst very bright he's less academically driven and very happy at Hampton (which gets even better results on paper, but also caters for boys who are more focussed on sports). And while it's single sex they interact a lot with the girls at LEH, especially on the shared school buses, so no lack of mingling with girls.

They don't interact with LEH almost at all. Only on the bus. Very very rarely in some drama.

Thank you ! I meant whats the girl / Boy split at KGS in the classroom. Do they allocate close to 50% each.

Ah I see. Sorry. My post was to the person above

At the KGS 11+ information evening we were told that KGS does not have a 50/50 policy on split between girls and boys and that the current year 7 has a higher proportion of girls. It was a fairly significant weighting, possibly over or close to 60% girls, as I recall (I have a DS so not great news)…

I have a DS in first year at KGS. Seems broadly 50/50 in his class although possibly slightly more girls, maybe 13 girls, 12 boys. Not a big issue

Thank you @Dallasdays

Hampton is a fantastic school. The boys are very academically focussed which is what they need.