Latymer Upper vs Hampton

[Stringplait]

Currently in lucky position to have offers from Latymer Upper and Hampton but really struggling to decide as we haven’t been able to visit either school and so have only got a “feel” for each through what’s available online.
Obviously they are both great schools for many of the same and a few different reasons, but would love to hear thoughts/experiences from people who have children at either, or happen to know both and can compare...
We have a preference for coed but not before ensuring it’s the right school for DS, and we live closer to LU but also in a good location to make use of Hampton coach. So even the more obvious differences haven’t helped us decide!
Everyone I ask seems to always conclude with the thought “but Hampton is such a great school” and it’s hard to know whether people are saying this because they feel Latymer already speaks for itself and Hampton is the historically slightly less well-known/prestigious of the two so needs the mention, or if it’s because it really does have the edge! V happy to be corrected either way on that latter point, definitely not trying to be divisive, offend anyone or start a debate, just trying to understand the differences beyond the obvious and anything you can share will be gratefully received!
Essentially I would love to know if anyone can comment on any of the following:
How happy are the children at these schools?
Do reasonably sporty boys who aren’t star players but enjoy and want to do sports/play in fixtures get a decent amount of sport?
How is the pastoral care at each school?
Has anyone chosen one over the other and later regretted it or been happy with choice?
Where do children socialise outside of school? Ive heard Hampton boys socialise mostly around Kingston which isn’t an easy place for us to get to ... On the other hand no idea where Latymer kids socialise? And do they meet mostly at each others’ houses or out and about?
What is the teaching style like in the two schools?

@3WildOnes

I know boys at both schools. The boys I know at LU are a bit more streetwise, they party more, they seem a little older than their contemporaries at Hampton.

I was coming in here to say something like this. DD (16) has friends from all the west london schools and the Latymer ones she knows are always on the wilder side in terms of sex/ alcohol/ drugs. Perfectly happy to say she doesn't know everyone at the school but this combined with the terrible reports about sexual impropriety among pupils at Latymer reported on Everyone's Invited did give us pause for thought when wondering where to apply for youngest DS.

We absolutely will go. No firm decisions are being made until we’ve been to the offer holder events for both schools. It’s such a hard choice as I feel there is so little between the schools academically and I’m terms of ethos. How is the pastoral care at Hampton? And whilst I know they have a school coach from SW London, do you know how many boys in your son’s year come from this side - Hammersmith, Putney, Fulham, Chelsea?

Sorry, my msg was in response to @sunshineclouds24

@Alexia234 in answer to your question, things DS loves about Latymer are (in no particular order) the teachers and teaching style - not prescriptive, all about discussion, thinking and exploring topics in their depths. We often hear about how fun a subject was that day.
Has made some really nice friends, says they are fun, kind and really interesting people.
Loves the diverse backgrounds amongst pupils, with many speaking more than one language, making for interesting perspectives in conversations.
Really enjoys the sports, lots of opportunities to get involved at all levels and to play in fixtures.
Obviously it’s not been that long yet, but as parents, so far we like what we’ve seen; the school is very progressive, teaching for future skills, use lots of research to back this up, and we get the sense they really know what they’re doing. Feels like our DS is in safe hands whilst being given the freedom to explore/develop.

Thank you @Stringplait all really reassuring and exactly the reasons we really liked the school as a teacher seemed a cut above the other schools we saw much more involved and interactive even at the open day. I am feeling slightly concerned about the reputation of the boys from Latymer given I have a DD from and all girls Prep …. Are there other parents feel that the party reputation for Latimer is well deserved? I’ve heard that girls at the Hammersmith girls schools can be significantly worse in terms of boy obsessions and behaviour than the Latymer girls who are a lot more used to the co-Ed environment as “normal”. I’m sure there are many diff stories/ rhumors but would be great to try get the bigger picture

@Gettingcloser21 , re pastoral care, they know the ds and I've never had any issues. Re geography, we are on the Esher side and my ds's class covered leatherhead, Ascot and Wimbledon. I don't think it's practical if you live more than a couple of mins from the far end of the bus route stops hence Chelsea is a no go. I would add the rowing is in Sunbury and not near any public transport so if your ds is interested in rowing it's a long way to get to Sunbury on a Sunday lunchtime for a 2 hour session in year 9 or to collect at 6pm midweek.
I hope you enjoy your offer mornings at both schools.

We are in the same boat. But with KGS in the mix. Live in St Margarets so Hampton more obvious. But Latymer appeals because co-ed and has the diversity (international, ethinicity, neurodiversity) and cool factor which I feel Hampton lacks. But DS is really not good at making friends so living so far will just add another barrier to socialising. It would be great to get an idea of how many children live more towards Richmond. We would also consider moving to Kew so he can catch the tube.
Also what about inspirational teachers? Any difference?
Inclusivity and encouragement for sports for those lacking talent?

@Alexia234

Thank you *@Stringplait* all really reassuring and exactly the reasons we really liked the school as a teacher seemed a cut above the other schools we saw much more involved and interactive even at the open day. I am feeling slightly concerned about the reputation of the boys from Latymer given I have a DD from and all girls Prep …. Are there other parents feel that the party reputation for Latimer is well deserved? I’ve heard that girls at the Hammersmith girls schools can be significantly worse in terms of boy obsessions and behaviour than the Latymer girls who are a lot more used to the co-Ed environment as “normal”. I’m sure there are many diff stories/ rhumors but would be great to try get the bigger picture

I would agree with @stringplait completely re LU. I think it's important to take all the reputations of the schools with a pinch of salt. They will all have a party set, an uber wealthy set etc etc. They all mix together and it won't make a huge amount of difference what school they go to. My DD is a bit older and at a single sex school. She is not remotely interested in going out, parties etc. One of her good friends is and has been since she was 13. She hangs out with the 'party set' from all the schools. They gather at well known hot spots!

@Luckytohaveoptions

We are in the same boat. But with KGS in the mix. Live in St Margarets so Hampton more obvious. But Latymer appeals because co-ed and has the diversity (international, ethinicity, neurodiversity) and cool factor which I feel Hampton lacks. But DS is really not good at making friends so living so far will just add another barrier to socialising. It would be great to get an idea of how many children live more towards Richmond. We would also consider moving to Kew so he can catch the tube. Also what about inspirational teachers? Any difference? Inclusivity and encouragement for sports for those lacking talent?

Ive just had a look at the map that shows where people live (although you have to opt in so not complete). There are pupils Richmond way but not that many. Although we live much closer and it so happens that there is noone else living very nearby in DS's year so you never know how it will work out. He is not particularly sociable outside school but if he does anything it tends to be around Westfield!

Thank you for checking that wineebaygo. Getting to Westfield would be very challenging and probably result in more chaufferring from me.

The sports grounds are near Westfield as well so worth bearing that in mind for Saturday mornings etc..

I have a very happy DS in Y7 at Hampton and our experience has all been very positive so far. We like the fact that whilst it's an all-boys school there are the links with LEH, the space is amazing, and it has a very down to earth, friendly atmosphere. But - much as we love it - what you will never get away from is that it is very much a suburban school. It's a nice area and the school sports grounds are fantastic but it's never going to have a cool urban vibe in the way that a Hammersmith school will. This isn't an issue for us as we are Surrey based and the school bus is really convenient for DS, but I can totally appreciate that it's more of a conundrum for parents in SW London.

As a PP has said, if all else is equal and you have no real preference between co-ed / all boys, and the DC have no preference either, go for the one with the easiest/most flexible journey for them. They'll be doing it for a long time!

DS will be in the very bottom teams so unlikely to have many Satuday matches but that's good to know.

Thank you @FlyingPandas and that’s very true. 2 hours (!) a day of extra travel for Hampton over LU seems
difficult to justify. With LU, DS can leave home at 8.15am. With Hampton, he’d have to leave at 7am. You’ve all been really honest and helpful. I am
so grateful for your time and for sharing your experiences. Thank you.

@luckytohaveoptions sounds like we are in a similar boat - mulling over Hampton, KGS and SPS (waiting for Tiffin). DS also non a-team for any sports and pref for coed, hoping there are offer holders events for KGS to give us more insight.

Well done to your DS @Avidgardner.
DS got as far as interview at SPS but didn’t receive an offer. Great choice of schools and good luck in your decision making.

Thanks @Gettingcloser21, congratulations to your DS on his LU and Hampton offers, what a great choice to have. I feel they have done so incredibly well considering the added stress of covid. We are leaning slightly towards Hampton, but still very unsure and DS has no clear preference (other than wanting to know which will likely have the least homework!?!). Best of luck in deciding with your DS.

@Avidgardner the head at Hampton confirmed Y7 students have about 40 mins homework per day at a recent event.

DS has been at LU 5 years (also had Hampton offer). Being 20 mins walk away as opposed to leaving at 7am to get the bus is a massive consideration, especially once a teenager. Be warned, if you get into rowing (with great facilities right at the school) there are some 6am starts! He's never hung out at Westfield(!) and I wouldn't describe him as urban; they find their own tribe. His friends live in Richmond, Ealing, Kensington as well as more locally and he can get to all of them himself by tube. Homework in the early years is quite light, and no end of year 7 exams. There's no wrong decision though; they're both great schools.

@Glassfull I hope this works.

With two dd at Latymer I'd definitely say choose the school with the easiest journey. The LU "party "reputation is bollocks, as others have said every year in every school has a party set and they tend to mix with the other party sets. It's down to your child's personality if they get involved with that or not. Neither of my dd are massive party animals, although they go out a bit, and there are plenty of like-minded kids for them to hang out with so they're very happy. The groups seem to co-exist very harmoniously.

Can anyone tell me if their children go from Richmond into Latymer upper? I don’t want to apply if that journey is tricky for year 7s. We would also have a drive to the station.

I just had a look at the parentmap- quite a few coming from Richmond. Easy journey on the district line and I think there's a bus that goes past the school?

thank you. Where can I find that map? Thank you

You can only see it if you're a parent- it's on the school Classlist and parents can opt in to show address, contact details etc.