Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

Hampton or Trinity

26 replies

JustJuice187 · 27/02/2020 09:21

So DS2 passed both at 10plus. We are half way between both so journey is the same to both for us. DS1 is at Trinity and it's the right school for him as he's very musical. He joined at 11 so I wasn't as stressed about the journey as I am about DS2 doing it at 10!
DS2 is very sporty but not into rugby. We really like Hampton but litterally don't know anyone there.
Are there any parents coming from Wimbledon area who could tell me about the journey for their boys. We had the taster day yesterday and a lot of the boys seem to already know each other from preps.
Would love to hear other parents experiences.
Thanks

OP posts:
Frostyskies1223 · 27/02/2020 09:28

If you managed the traffic yesterday around Hampton you will have a good idea about how variable the journey can be! The 10 plus is popular with some preps as a practice, whilst many parents will pay the deposit it doesn't mean they will all take up the places in 2021. I think at the year 7 entry point they take ds from 40-50 schools.

Seeline · 27/02/2020 09:30

Don't know Hampton at all, but DS is at T.

You must know T well if DS1 is already there. What is it that you think won't suit DS2? Surely he can tag along with his brother on the journey for the first week of so until he gets the hang of it?

My DS was a JBug - it was brilliant preparation for the first form. The boys were really well looked after for the transition year.

Also do not underestimate the simplicity of having two children at the same school - there are rarely clashes with other events - parents evenings, concerts, sports events etc. My DC2 is a girl so we often have evenings where things are happening at both schools which can lead to problems.

Original poster
JustJuice187 · 27/02/2020 10:01

Thanks both.
Yes the journey to Hampton is definitely variable!
Tagging along with DS2 not my idea option for DS1 tbh but yes you're right it's definitely good to have them at the same school.
Having said that there is quite a big age gap between them so not that much of a consideration - I'd prefer to treat DS2 as an individual and find the right school for him

OP posts:
Original poster
JustJuice187 · 27/02/2020 11:11

@Frostyskies1223 - does your DS tend to take the school bus? How are the public transport options?

OP posts:
Frostyskies1223 · 27/02/2020 12:22

Hampton train station is a 20 min walk from the school, it tends to be older dc who use it. 6th formers can drive themselves once they past their driving test. Otherwise it's TFL buses or school bus shared with LEH which is popular and safe & if the bus is late due to traffic congestion then everyone is in the same situation.

PopGoesTheWeaz · 27/02/2020 13:17

T have a chaperone service for the first term (or half term) from Wimbledon tram I belive

Original poster
JustJuice187 · 27/02/2020 15:53

Thanks @Frostyskies1223

OP posts:
montlieu · 03/03/2020 21:36

the chaperone service works from variable departure points. we are in CJ and have benefited twice from it. they just match the nearest sixth former to the younger students point of departure. it's been very helpful for us, for the journey but also to get to know other local boys.

Lexus1979 · 15/01/2023 13:39

Hi, Just keen to know which one anyone would choose between Hampton and trinity. My son has passed both Trinity and Hampton 10 plus

But Trinity boys join in year 6 Vs Hamptons deferred entry at year 7

Even if given a scholarhship at Trinity, I believe it would be max 10-20%

Hampton is ahead in league tables and probably a notch better that Trinity

Has anyone been on the same boat and made a choice. I am flexible to move to any part of London.

poppybuttons · 15/01/2023 14:24

Have you visited the Hampton area and would you like to live there? These results indicate your ds would probably do well wherever he ends up with a grammar option too. Maybe base the choice on your home rather than the school. There is very little between all the top schools if you aren't after a certain sport or music opportunity.

Lexus1979 · 15/01/2023 21:43

HI, I would like to compare the schools alone ( removing distance, fees). The comparison is quality of teaching, Happiness quotient, Ethos,

I visited both the schools on the open day. I found the trinity school a bit run down compared to Hampton ( Some class rooms, corridor) But yes, I am interested in the quality of teaching.
So want to ask people who have had kids at both schools or have had to choose between the 2,

poppybuttons · 15/01/2023 22:50

To consider both schools you would
need to move house for 1 of them. I know your ds is young so it's harder to judge but the GCSE / A level curriculums are so fixed in the U.K. that most schools teach in the same way, yes you can choose on ethos and hampton is a down to earth school but I'm sure trinity is too. If you follow all the threads when the results come out in Feb then you see time and time again dc/ parents choose by journey time and sports offered as those are the largest differences between top schools.

Sweetnhappy1 · 16/01/2023 07:17

poppybuttons · 15/01/2023 22:50

To consider both schools you would
need to move house for 1 of them. I know your ds is young so it's harder to judge but the GCSE / A level curriculums are so fixed in the U.K. that most schools teach in the same way, yes you can choose on ethos and hampton is a down to earth school but I'm sure trinity is too. If you follow all the threads when the results come out in Feb then you see time and time again dc/ parents choose by journey time and sports offered as those are the largest differences between top schools.

They wouldn't necessarily have to move house, it depends where they live. There are plenty of boys on the Wimbledon school coach to Hampton and plenty who get the tram from Wimbledon to Trinity.

Wobblypig · 16/01/2023 19:58

Lexus - our prep school strongly encouraged us to go to Hampton. In fact entered for us without asking us. My son didn’t do the exam but we got a letter after saying he just failed the exam by a few points and should try again next year. We were astounded by this . We had already decided against Hampton based on some very bad behaviour from Hampton prep on the sports field.
That said we have very close friends who are very happy there.
My son has been very happy at Trinity but I tend to think from a purely results based assessment the differences between all these type of schools is over stated.
What do you want from a school apart from good GCSEs and A levels?

Lexus1979 · 17/01/2023 09:50

Thank you @Sweetnhappy1
I am renting and can move to any part of london. DIstance is never an isue for me

@Wobblypig I would take what you said with a pinch of Salt.
You have had a bad experience in your prep school which translated into a bad outcome

I have had so many positive feed backs from parents whose DS are at Hampton
So is the case at Trinity

  1. I mainly wanted to know about parents who got offers from both and which one they chose
  2. Also want to hear from parents who have had kids at Trinity and Hampton
Lexus1979 · 17/01/2023 10:00

Also I attended thge Head masters speech at Hampton
30 kids are selected at 10 plus - Say 20 actually join the school ( All 30 accept the place by paying a deposit but not necessailry join the school . its a safe option)
100 plus students come from 11 plus
and only 20 students are direct entry from Hampton prep school

Meaning apart from from 20, rest 120+ kids have entered via an exam

Wobblypig · 17/01/2023 12:11

Lexus - you may be asking for the impossible since the schools are in opposite directions for travel and both are good schools so if one child was happy there I can’t see parents hunting for a different school in a completely different directions.

I only gave a background to my choice and did say that both are good schools and we have friends that are happy there.

Does your child have a preference?

Lexus1979 · 17/01/2023 13:27

@Wobblypig I again repeat myself. DIstance is not to be discussed here.
I dont know why you are stressing travel. As some one said, you can live in wimbledon. And as stated, I am renting and can move anywhere. if i choose Hampton, I move closer to that school. And both schools have a good coach network with an overlap in Wimbledon.

And Lets not discuss travel or distance anymore please. i have laid out myquestions for people who have been on the same boat at me

Only difference is Trinity - he joins in yr 6 and hampton he joins in yr 7

So I need to make a decision soon if he wants to do yr 6 at Trinity or decline it and choose Hampton at yr7

1)I mainly wanted to know about parents who got offers from both and which one they chose
2) Also want to hear from parents who have had kids at Trinity and Hampton

Seeline · 17/01/2023 13:59

My DS started at T in year 6 from a state primary but this was over 10 years ago. It was brilliant for him. He was getting very bored at primary and not being stretched. The experience at T really helped him with preparation for Y7 and gave him a head start over other new boys who started then.

He spent the whole 8 years at T and DD went there for 6th form. It is a fantastic school - we have never had any complaints.

I am not aware of anyone with boys at T and Hampton so not sure you will get anyone to compare the two.

What was your gut feeling when visiting the schools - I think that really is one of the best guides when choosing.

woohooho · 17/01/2023 14:22

I doubt anyone has DSs at both so will be hard to compare. Know lots of happy boys at Hampton though. I think they can do football instead of rugby both terms?
The benefit with the deferred 10+ is you can still look at other schools if you want and your DS gets to enjoy the last year of primary, although you will lose the deposit if they go elsewhere (we did!).
However, you know Trinity so maybe easier to just go with that, although I know nothing about the school! Even if you have a big age gap, presumably it would be a bit of a nightmare logistically for one or the other one even if you had to move?

Lexus1979 · 17/01/2023 14:22

Thakn you @Seeline . Thanks for your feedback

I am in the same boat as @JustJuice187 who started this post last year !

Gut feeling states Hampton. ( deferred year 7 entry), Save one years fees by not joining trinity at year 6. I am waiting scholarship information from T - could be deciding factor.

woohooho · 17/01/2023 14:24

Ive just realised your not the OP @Lexus1979 so ignore all I said about siblings, rugby etc!

Lexus1979 · 17/01/2023 14:25

"The benefit with the deferred 10+ is you can still look at other schools if you want and your DS gets to enjoy the last year of primary, although you will lose the deposit if they go elsewhere (we did!).

COMPLETELY AGREE. More in line with this. Let him enjoy his last year 6 - go on holidays and relax. And also attempt other schools at the 11 plus stage.

Where did your DS land up @woohooho ?

HoneyMobster · 17/01/2023 14:41

Wimbledon is definitely the sweet spot between the two. Know people with children at both schools but no one with children at both.

Of the two I'd have a slight preference for Hampton. DH is an old boy and turned out OK. My DS played sports fixtures against both schools and I have to say they're both pretty well behaved.

woohooho · 17/01/2023 14:46

Lexus1979 · 17/01/2023 14:25

"The benefit with the deferred 10+ is you can still look at other schools if you want and your DS gets to enjoy the last year of primary, although you will lose the deposit if they go elsewhere (we did!).

COMPLETELY AGREE. More in line with this. Let him enjoy his last year 6 - go on holidays and relax. And also attempt other schools at the 11 plus stage.

Where did your DS land up @woohooho ?

Ended up at Latymer Upper - although covid got in the way of Y6!