Anyone tell me about hampton court house school

[After8itsgrownuptime]

Hey all, just that really. Does anyone have any experience of the prep and senior school? Am considering for my DD who is arty but not particularly sporty

A friend's children went there and did well. It's a bit quirky, suited the dreamier, quieter personality types they were. They are both bright but both have ADHD. Both went on to good unis and are doing really well. I got the impression it was quite eccentric but like being part of a large family. Her youngest left three years ago, so I don't know whether it has changed since.

Thanks, that’s very helpful. I think it’s quite quirky but the results are as good as a lot of the bigger schools And the kids seem very happy. I think previously it used to have a local rep as the last resort if you couldn’t get in elsewhere but I get the impression that this has changed

It seems to have a marmite reputation but I think for the right child it’s amazing. Friends dc is thriving there.

If you ever read threads about private schools potential parents will generally gush about the main advantage of them being that you can match your DC to the right school. But then, particularly in London, when parents have collected a large number of offers the advice will be to go with the nearest/easiest journey because the schools are all so similar!

HCH is genuinely trying to offer something different and if you think that it will suit your DC then you know your child best and you are probably right.

Thanks everyone - all good insights and good to know. Think we will go back post lockdown and have another look at the school with DD.

I grew up over the road from it and went to one of the more mainstream private schools nearby - it was always the weird school when I was growing up, all the other local schools mixed socially but the HCH kids literally never hung out with any of the rest of us, or attended or participated in any events, sports, music, MUN, debate or similar. I have no idea what sort of education they got but it always seemed really cliquey and insular.

(again local view)

I'd describe it a quirky, and very very marmite.

The parents who love it, really love it... They have a focus on french and teach a lot of the curriculum in french.

I have a good friend who had to remove her child as he wasn't learning anything....

I would also have a look at some more standard schools - Twickenham Prep, Jack and Jill all have good reputations and less risk than HCH....where if you fit you do well and if you don't fit you leave....

Thanks all. DD is currently in a main stream prep and is happy there, but I’m keen to avoid the 11+ and all the pain and pressure that involves

I’m keen to avoid the 11+ and all the pain and pressure that involves

In that case I'd send her to the local comp and save yourself a fortune.

That’s not the right path for DD and she is lucky enough to have the option to move schools now and not go through the process. I just wanted to know if her option of HCH was a good option to take.

I think it would depend on how motivated and capable of self regulation she is, and what sort of trajectory you want her to be on, achievement wise. What are your other options? I know which local schools i wouldnt recommend, ha

I see what you mean @ticking they teach Maths yr 1 to yr 4 in French!
Think you need to be very sure this quirky school is what you want.
Bonne chance!

Thanks ladies..I’m getting the impression that it might be a bit of a left field choice

@After8itsgrownuptime What year is she in now? Radnor House start at y5 with no 11+ - superb school - highly recommend it.

We looked at Radnor, but I was told by a couple of friends who have kids there (and all love it) that it’s a marmite school and they were right. Nice school but not for us - thanks for the recommendation though. Always good to get views from parents that attend and have experience

Should say that she is what 5, will be 6 in September

@SomeoneElseEntirelyNow which local schools would you not recommend please?

Just LEH actually, but it sounds like that's not what youre looking for regardless

Just jumping in on this thread does anyone have any idea whether this would suit a more geeky child (maths whizz and loves computers).

@After8itsgrownuptime... Interesting, I'd say Radnor is a middle of the road, co-ed, small caring school....not really sure what there is that people could dislike?

@SomeoneElseEntirelyNow - LEH was never on our list, like you say. Just too pressured for DD.

@ticking - we just didn’t get that feeling about it when we visited and the lack of space concerned me too. Like I say, I have 3 or 4 friends with children there who are very happy, but we just didn’t take to it.

Friend was recommended HCH School for her geeky sensitive son for secondary. 3 years down the line child now in state comp and thriving having been miserable, bullied and unstretched there.

Can I just ask why you wouldn't recommend LEH please?

@Meredusoleil - LEH is very academic and puts quite a lot of pressure on to achieve top grades. That's not for everyone.

Oh OK. That's fair enough!