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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Hampton or Dulwich?

25 replies

Tolacar · 13/02/2018 18:26

My DS has been offered a place at both...but a scholarship at DC. The travel time is similar but he would have to leave at 6.55 for DC and 7.30 for Hampton. I'm struggling to make a choice as they are both fantastic schools....any help or opinions would be fantastic! DS is an all rounder but strong in maths and sports. Happy go lucky likeable boy and very sociable. Thanks so much. A lovely but difficult position to be in.

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Kapscott20003 · 13/02/2018 19:20

Both are great schools, but in terms of school league tables (if that is a consideration), Hampton scores much higher than Dulwich. Hampton is also very strong re maths. My DS was offered a place at Hampton and will be going there, it was his first choice and we live very close to the School.

Original poster

Tolacar · 13/02/2018 21:36

Thanks Kapscott20003. Hampton is also my sons preferred and I agree they are stronger in maths. I guess if you are close to the school it's a no brainer! 😁

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Wobblypig · 14/02/2018 01:05

Happy-go-lucky I think sounds more like Dulwich but to be honest I would go with shortest commute

noitsnotteatimeyet · 14/02/2018 07:50

Try asking a 15 year old if they’d want to get out of the house before 7 every single school day and you’d have your answer I suspect. Sleep is incredibly important for teenagers so I’d go for whichever choice will give your son more time in bed ...

Either school would be absolutely fine academically - differences in league tables mean very little at the top end and also on an individual basis.

Your son is more likely to do well at a school where he’s happy and has enough time to enjoy life. There are plenty of boys at Dulwich getting stellar results and conversely I’m sure there are boys at Hampton who don’t reach their potential.

I have to wonder though how many good schools, state and private, he’ll be passing on his way to school if you live equidistant from Dulwich and Hampton and why you didn’t apply for schools with a rather easier journey for your son ..,

soooooooonowwhat · 14/02/2018 08:09

Tolacar first of all massive congrats on your ds doing so well in the exams! Dulwich is ds's 'joint' first choice (I say joint but it's his favourite along with two of the other three schools we applied to) so we are seriously considering it. I guess the question is, what is it that you like about each school? We didn't apply to Hampton because we knew it wasn't right for ds, mainly because ds is very much into art and drama, and not in the least sporty and we felt Hampton wasn't the right fit for him. I would say Hampton is a brilliant school for a child who is academic and sporty, and from what I understand maths is very strong there so in theory it sounds perfect for your ds. Personally I love Dulwich, I love the ethos, the head and what seems to me a genuine commitment to wider learning beyond the curriculum, especially with all the different events and speakers like Dulwich political and tech week etc. Ds is big into philosophy and debate and I got the impression that's v strong at Dulwich and for us we also like the international network Dulwich has. Both are obviously excellent for a sporty ds. They are both highly sought after schools, quite different from what I understand but likely to deliver a brilliant education. If your ds has been offered an academic scholarship at Dulwich he is likely to do well at either school, although likely to be top sets at Dulwich and maybe upper middle at Hampton, so maybe think about whether he would do better towards the top of the cohort or would he be more motivated in a school where he was academically less stand out? In our case, I was thinking in terms of ds finding like minding dcs to discuss philosophy etc and I think that there will be plenty of those at Dulwich (ds also offered an academic scholarship) so for us it's plenty academic enough but as pp said based solely on league tables Hampton is the more 'academic' option. Good luck with whatever you choose, I'm sure your ds will do brilliantly wherever!

AnotherNewt · 14/02/2018 08:21

I would go with your DS's preference.

Both are excellent schools, he will be fine academically at either (whatever subject is his preference - don't be concerned about the leve of maths at DC, any school which regularly has boys qualifying for the Kangaroo and Olympiad cannot be considered lacking!)

He's done really well.

It's time to think about where he believes he'll be happiest during his teen years. And if that's Hampton, that's reason enough to go for it.

firstboard · 14/02/2018 16:15

Both are great schools and your son would reach his potential in any of them.
I would prefer the one where he has to leave at 7.30 am, that 35 mins in morning is too precious because he would be doing it for 5+ years.

I think the Tution fee of Dulwich is higher than Hampton ( DC is around 22k and H is around 15/16) . So calculate the money saved effectively .

nocampinghere · 14/02/2018 17:07

6.55am is not an acceptable time for a child/teen to leave the house. every day. for 7 years.

Original poster

Tolacar · 20/02/2018 07:13

Thank you everyone for your comments. Apologies for not replying sooner, on an extended half term break.
noitsnotteatimeyet we did apply for closer schools, one of which we got a place and one is a waitlist. However the offer we got, we felt the school wasn't right for him.
We are going to see Hampton on Thursday so let's see what happens after that. Just need to make a decision and get this stress over and done with. I agree with having the shortest commute. 6.55 is too early!
Thanks again.

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PaperdollCartoon · 20/02/2018 07:17

Shorter commute will make all the difference, not just in the morning but in the evening too if your DS does any extra curriculars.

Original poster

Tolacar · 20/02/2018 07:50

The distance is actually further in miles but the commute is quicker. My only concern is hampton don't do a late coach. Not that it's a prob for me to go and get him, just don't want to be doing it frequently!

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Firefox1066 · 20/02/2018 09:28

Once again, congrats to your DS Tolacar! He has done amazingly well. In your position, Hampton would be the no brainer for me, especially given the commute. Both schools are excellent and would give him an outstanding and varied education imo. But leaving at 6:55 is pretty brutal for a young child (and teen).

Original poster

Tolacar · 24/02/2018 08:23

Still agonising here...saw Hampton again this week. Hoping to see DC next week. This is one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. I've spoken to parents at both schools and researched both thoroughly. 😞

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noitsnotteatimeyet · 24/02/2018 08:27

Speak to any 15 year old boy ... ask them if they’d be happy having to leave the house before 7 every day (and presumably getting home later at the end of the day) and you’d have your answer. Honestly they are both good schools and your ds will be absolutely fine at either so go with the one which has the easiest commute - I can’t understand the angst over this!

JoJoSM2 · 24/02/2018 08:48

If he gets more sleep, less commute, yo get lower fees + better academic performance at Hampton, it looks like a no-brainer to me.

nocampinghere · 24/02/2018 12:45

Tell us more about the commute
I'm assuming for Hampton he'd be getting on the school coach? At what time? how far is it from your house?

what's the journey plan for DC?

TeddTess · 24/02/2018 12:48

I turned down what i think was probably the most perfect school for DD2, with a (small) scholarship, because it would have meant leaving the house just before 7 for the school coach (which would take her practically door to door so very easy).

After seeing how totally exhausted she is getting out of the house for 7.50 for the school we chose, yr7 is NOTHING like primary school, they are all on their knees with exhaustion, I am grateful every day i made that decision.

Original poster

Tolacar · 24/02/2018 13:26

Ok commutes....
Both school coaches go from the same stop which is approx 5-7 mins walk from our house. 6.55 DC, 7.32 H. It's an hour to DC because it's a round the houses type of route. H prob about 40 mins. Both buses leave at 4.15....H home by 5, DC approx 5.30. So yes distance in miles to H is greater but quicker commute. There are other bus stop options which are later for DC but that would involve me taking him there which if I didn't have a much younger DS to think about, I would do!
Thank you TedTess....I think that's a very valid point.
H may have slightly lower fees but we have a (Small) scholarship for DC which equates to the cost of the bus and lunch at H. I'm trying not to focus on the scholarship as a deciding factor...and rather choosing the fit. TBH, he would be right at both schools. Maybe I'm overthinking and should go for the gut! I appreciate it's a fortunate position to be in. Thanks

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JoJoSM2 · 24/02/2018 13:49

Have you considered moving closer to one of the schools? Either way it sounds like you DS's days would be very long and draining. And he'll need time for homework, hobbies and downtime etc.

Original poster

Tolacar · 24/02/2018 14:12

Yes but not anytime soon due to younger DS. But would prefer to move SW than SE!

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LadyHaleth · 24/02/2018 14:18

Don't worry about the lack of a late bus at Hampton, there are very few after school clubs or training sessions in the early years - they all happen in the lunch break which is longer than most to accommodate this.

Original poster

Tolacar · 24/02/2018 14:50

Actually I meant to say they do have a late bus that goes to hubs such as Kingston, wimbledon so that's good.

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Original poster

Tolacar · 05/03/2018 14:44

Just wanted to say thanks for all the comments. We chose Hampton and I'm very happy with that!

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Sunshine5050 · 05/03/2018 17:39

@Tolacar so pleased you chose Hampton as I've been following you on various threads. My ds is also signed up for Sept, its a great school and our ds have done well to have the option.

Original poster

Tolacar · 05/03/2018 18:31

Yay! That's great! I might relax a bit now.

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