Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Secondary education

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

Flip

Original poster

Hampton School from Putney

16 replies

decisionsdecisionssw15 · 30/01/2019 16:01

Trying to narrow down our choices for DS who will take the 11+ next year.
(I went through it all a few years ago with DD but there are so many more girls schools around!)
We really like Hampton and there is a school bus that DS could take but it just feels so far away. Is it doable- will DS get exhausted? We know a few boys who get the bus and they seem to not mind it.
Other than the St Pauls, Kings Wimbledon type schools where else is there? I think DS would be happier at an all boys school.
Views on Hampton welcome as well! Thanks!

OP posts:

Testbunny · 30/01/2019 19:15

Yes, boys do go from Putney. The bus leaves school at 4pm - gets back c5pm. They do most their clubs / sports during an extended lunchtime so boys can leave at 4 and don't have to stay after school. I don't have kids at the school, but have heard great things about the school from friends with sons there.

1ndig0 · 31/01/2019 08:36

Plenty do the coach OP. Personally I couldn’t think of anything worse than being stuck on the same coach with the same group for nearly a decade, but at least they’re safe, I guess. You could look at KCS which is now much more accessible to boys at 11 plus. I know you wanted all boys schools, but maybe don’t rule out KGS or LU? They still have all the sports teams. Yes there’s girls there, but that’s life! At least if you miss the public bus or train, another one will come along in a few minutes, so it takes a lot of stress out if the daily commute in that sense.

1ndig0 · 31/01/2019 08:40

Also the Hampton coach is shared with LEH so do bear that in mind if your DS prefers not to be around girls as this will be 2 hours every day he’s stuck with them!

Original poster

decisionsdecisionssw15 · 31/01/2019 09:02

Thanks for the replies. He doesn't mind being around girls- he's at a mixed school now but I looked round most of the local co-eds for his sister and I just think all boys is more him. But I quite like the fact that Hampton do a bit with LEH. We will def look at LU and will give Kings a go but I need a few options. KGS is out as he definitely wants to go to a school that plays rugby, although he is not a super sporty type.

OP posts:

sandybayley · 31/01/2019 09:42

How about Dulwich? I'm pretty sure there are coach routes from Putney. Definitely good for rugby. Not sure how you'd do it by public transport though - train to Clapham Junction and change?

EdwinaMarlow · 31/01/2019 09:43

I have friends whose ds does this journey and it is a strain - both for him and family life in general. Very early starts, long days, it's not been ideal. I'd hope one of the other options works out for you. Another obvious co-ed suggestion is Emanuel.

sandybayley · 31/01/2019 09:51

If it's a difficult journey I wouldn't bother. Ease of journey is a big consideration- particularly if a DC is sporty. You don't want to have to always have to give lifts for matches and training.

2kidsand1cat · 31/01/2019 10:05

HI! I just saw your post. I have a daughter using the coach from Putney and a son joining in the journey soon.
For us, knowing the kids from both schools share some time together was something positive to consider when choosing schools. They do some clubs, musicals and trips when older.
So far my DD is very happy to share the trip with the Hampton boys.

Testbunny · 31/01/2019 13:57

Dulwich a worse journey than Hampton from Putney, IMO. Also consider getting to open evenings, concerts etc.

Original poster

decisionsdecisionssw15 · 31/01/2019 14:06

Yes- not even thinking about Dulwich, Whitgift etc- the wrong side of London- although know increasing numbers of boys who go there from around here. Lots to think about! If he were to get the school bus he wouldn't be out of the house much longer than his sister who is at a much nearer school but it's the thought that he has to make the one bus in the morning! And yes, the evening things that parents need to go to..

OP posts:

Testbunny · 31/01/2019 14:33

Yes, a good few boys go to Whitgift, but mainly from East Putney / Wandsworth. I think for Hampton, it would depend on how close you live to the coach stop. You are right, the journey can be the same length of time, compared to a closer school because of the numbers of buses / trains you need to take to get there. There is a coach at 7.30 from Putney, which is the same time as lots of other kids leave in the morning to get public transport

SW153kids · 31/01/2019 15:09

I think proximity to the coach stop is key..... does anyone know if they ever change/add coach stops?

2kidsand1cat · 31/01/2019 16:55

Pretty sure the school can answer any question regarding the coaches. When I asked about routes, the coordinator said they were not planning "at that moment" to add more stops on the Putney one.
Proximity to the coach stop is key, I agree. Lots of kids just walk home from there. We are only 5 minutes away and works great for us.
There is a late coach if your kid wants to stay after school. It leaves Hampton/LEH at 6 and arrives Putney 6.45 ish.

Tid13 · 01/02/2019 12:17

Our son goes to Hampton as of this academic year. We're not from your neck of the woods, but his coach also goes at 7:30 and returns at about 17:00. We drop him at the stop in the morning by car and daughter and I also get dropped off at public transport stops as we are all going to work/school at the same time, but in different directions. He walks home 10-15 mins in the evening.

The time on the coach after school actually serves as good "decompression" time from a busy day and means he's actually ready to crack on with homework as soon as he gets home, and unlike public transport he is at least guaranteed a seat and a place to put his bag (sometimes bags if sports, and musical instruments for some kids too), and I think they have wi-fi which of course is the most important thing for a 12 year old these days! To be fair it does mean he sometimes does some homework/research on the coach if he feels like it.

The other advantage of the coach is that he has got to know a bunch of other pupils that aren't in his class, and some across the year groups which is a nice "vertical integration" through the school, and of course the LEH girls, though I suspect that will become more important to him in the future than it is now!

He seems pretty happy with the journey, and on one occasion when he was offered a lift home by a relative if he liked he said he'd rather get the coach with his mates!

Original poster

decisionsdecisionssw15 · 05/02/2019 09:14

Thanks all for the replies. Definitely on our list to consider.
Anyone know how difficult it's been to get into this year? Although realise results aren't out yet! Have reasonable bright boys been getting interviews at 11+?

OP posts:

mumislearning · 05/02/2019 09:41

Hi,
There is a thread Hampton Test 2019, which has most of the numbers. Good luck with the results next week.

Flip