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Original poster

Hampton vs KGS

27 replies

SunsetSeaCow · 02/03/2021 12:01

Hello ... our son has an offer at Hampton school and KGS, and due to Covid we have only done online tours and are finding the resulting choice tricky! Would be very interested to hear experiences of both schools.

KGS is closer as we’re Surbiton area, however Hampton coach stop would be a 10 min walk and not sure how long the coach takes in normal times from Surbiton? Not sure which school he would be likely to have more local friends - perhaps KGS, or do they group them geographically from Hampton for forms anyway?

Wondering how much of a shock each school would be coming from a good state school (but where he coasts a bit), and most importantly is your child happy?

(I realise this is a nice problem to have, and if we’d only been offered one and not the other we would have been happy with either).

OP posts:
TheExtraGuineaPig · 02/03/2021 12:16

Hi there - I can't help with Hampton but I have a DD at KGS. She came from state school and it wasn't a shock at all. She loves the school - it's a very friendly place where they really value diversity (of people and approaches) and critical thinking.

I would have thought your main decision criteria was boys vs coed... and that your son might have a strong preference? The results are slightly better at Hampton but I think that any child would reach their best potential at either. I have a DS going in sept and KGS was his / our first choice, but he was absolutely not keen on a boys school

Logistically KGS is going to be easier for you, and for play dates / meeting after school etc but it is an urban school with no green space directly at school (although in normal times they can go to Fairfield at lunch).

Skatingpark97 · 02/03/2021 12:27

Just a couple of notes re Hampton.
They are grouped by MFL language so you choose French/Spanish/German before they start, but lots of ds from Surbiton/New Maldon/Esher area.
Re sport, there is no hockey at Hampton and they choose football or rugby for both terms.
Lots come from the state system, i think around 50% at age 11 but you would need to check.

BookShark · 02/03/2021 13:41

We had the same dilemma and opted for KGS. For us, the location (no reliance on school buses so much more flexibility, especially as they get older and want to socialise after school) and the co-ed aspect swung it for us. We also liked the atmosphere when we went round although I don't think we had the best Hampton open day experience, so that may be unfair. And DS prefers hockey to rugby, but not to the extent that it would have been a significant factor in our decision.

It does feel daft to turn down Hampton though, but I don't think there's a huge amount to choose between them academically - at least not to the point it would make a difference to DS's individual results.

surreydweller76 · 02/03/2021 13:53

Hi there,
I rarely post on these threads but thought I would hop on as we were in this exact position 3 years ago! We chose KGS and haven’t looked back. DS now in year 9, honestly could not be happier and DD will be joining her brother at KGS in September. We were however, fortunate enough, to look around both schools a number of times and it was the warmth and friendliness at KGS that nudged us over the line. We came from state and transition was very gentle and supported well. Lots of local friends who, in normal times, will hang out in Kingston and surrounding areas. Lovely family like school community with very grounded kids - exactly what we were looking for. That said, we know some very happy boys at Hampton, so also clearly a great school. To be honest, any child will easily fulfil their potential at either school and your biggest deciding factors are probably boys vs co-ed, large vs smaller year group and logistics. We did always have a preference for co-ed and have found the small(ish) year group to be brilliant for inclusion and acknowledgement of any particular achievements. DS is thriving and has grown enormously in confidence over the last couple of years. I have no doubt that DD will do the same. Your DS has done very well and good luck with your decision. Do feel free to pm me if you have any KGS specific questions.

Overthisnow · 02/03/2021 14:09

KGS would be much better in terms of commute. So easy. I'm not sure relying on years of getting a school coach from some where as urban as Surbiton to Hampton makes sense. Do check out the journey on public transport as that needs to be doable - I'm sure it would be

As well as single sex, obviously, sport is a key difference: Hampton do rugby, whereas KGS don't (KGS do hockey - very high standard - but Hampton don't)

I have a DC at KGS. Very happy with the school. Very nurturing and I liked the Rach

245jammydoggers · 02/03/2021 14:16

We had a similar decision with Tiffin also in the mix and went for Hampton .
Also from a state school -the only one and had no problems settling in. They have Avon Tyrrell (hopefully will be overnight this year )
My son loves the open space of Hampton .
He finds the lessons engaging and challenging and talks about them with enthusiasm something which did not happen at primary .
He relishing this new challenge .
PM me if you want more ...

Overthisnow · 02/03/2021 14:18

Sorry, sent too soon!

I like the fact KGS is small school compared to most others in the area - 110 in a year. Makes for a lovely community.

Because they don't have a feeder school, there are a very healthy number from state primary. I would say at least 50%, if not more. My DC came from a state primary and hasn't been a problem at all. Very down to earth parents; a lot with both parents working. We really liked Hampton too, but from where we live it would be relying on the school coach for years (it may not be so bad for you?). Like the fact many transport options for Kingston and easy for us to get to for parents' evenings, performances etc.

Worth considering is the fact KGS sports fields are in Thames Ditton which would be easy for you to get to from Surbition on Saturday mornings for sport. Both are excellent. You won't go wrong with either

Original poster
SunsetSeaCow · 02/03/2021 20:26

Thanks so much for everyone taking the time to reply, it is really appreciated! All excellent points - we really love both schools (well as far as you can without setting foot in them!) but think we will be opting for KGS. Our son (and us) didn’t really have strong thoughts re co-ed/ single sex, but the easier commute and not relying on the school bus is definitely a factor, and nice to hear so many of you appreciating the good community feel!

OP posts:
Overthisnow · 02/03/2021 20:39

Congrats for making a decision SunsetSeaCow! You couldn't have made a bad decision with either of those two schools, however (from experience) the journey is so important and you'll thank yourself every Saturday morning that the sports ground is only up the road from you!

Every week we say to ourselves how pleased we are that our DC is at KGS. It's really is a lovely school.

surreydweller76 · 03/03/2021 09:43

Congrats on your decision @SunsetSeaCow! Exciting stuff!

Original poster
SunsetSeaCow · 03/03/2021 10:39

Thanks! Yes agree both great schools and journey matters! Pleased to hear you’re so happy with KGS!

OP posts:
lamplightnow · 03/03/2021 14:55

!KGS is closer as we’re Surbiton area, however Hampton coach stop would be a 10 min walk and not sure how long the coach takes in normal times from Surbiton? "

The coach timetable with pick up/drop off times is on their website.
They keep to the times quite well.

YellowOranges · 03/03/2021 15:01

We're deciding between KGS and RGS and are also gravitating more towards KGS, mainly for the co-ed aspect. It's reassuring to hear others have had positive experiences!

I wondered about the slight possible academic edge RGS might have but as PPs have said, there's probably not too much in it.

QuidditchQueen · 03/03/2021 15:07

Both schools are fab-well done your DS!
My don had offers from those -we actually chose another school (St Pauls -5 mins from us) but he loved the welcome he had at KGS and that would have been his choice

Maomao11 · 03/03/2021 15:28

We are on the waiting list for KGS, hoping for movement of the next few days - fingers crossed

surreydweller76 · 03/03/2021 15:56

Keeping fingers crossed for you @Maomao11. I think the acceptance deadline of Friday is one of the later ones compared to some other schools, so hold on in there for a few more days. Good luck!

Rai28 · 18/12/2021 12:07

Hi,I'm new here ..we got interview call from Hampton and we are not able to make decisions my DS not sporty at all very sensitive I'm worried will he able to settle there?? We have laytimar and kgs on the list.

sunshineclouds24 · 18/12/2021 12:53

@Rai28 , my ds is at Hampton and there are as many unsporty sensitive ds as there are sporty and there are few arrogant prep schools types as they are weeded out at interview stage.
Did you get a phone call for a scholarship interview or an email for an interview in Jan?
Do you have KGS / Latymer at 10 plus or are they still to come?

Rai28 · 18/12/2021 14:02

12:53sunshineclouds24.. thanks for reply no scholarship for us only interview email in jan but my DS exams goes really well and we doing 11+
All the independent schools have limited seats and its very competitive this year .

sunshineclouds24 · 18/12/2021 14:12

@Rai28 , until you have all the offer letters in front of you in mid February there is no point worrying about which school. Good luck to your ds re the Hampton interview, he needs to show he is interested in the world around him and is enthusiastic about (each) school he is interviewed for. He should also be reading a book he is happy to talk about.
Re Hampton, it's a good idea to study the website and read the first year weekly blog that is published in the What's on section of the website. If there is any pause in the interview he can refer to something that interested him on the website.

Oldmonk · 19/12/2021 22:10

Would be interested to know bit more tips on interview.. will there be academic questions? 2 sets of interviews apparently?

sunshineclouds24 · 19/12/2021 22:45

@Oldmonk , you probably have more information than most because last year they used ISEB before the interview stage so the interview had exam type questions. Pre-pandemic (2018) it was 1 interview which had an academic part and then a general chat.
The academic part is used by many schools, the dc is shown a picture and has to describe what they see, you can't prepare for it.

missshine · 18/01/2022 14:04

Dear lovely mums,

My son just got confirmed for an 11+ interview at KGS. It mentions it's a general interview; no further details. Can someone please advise, based on their experience, what kind of questions should we be expecting? Any guidance on prep? We are all very stressed as he didnot do well for Hampton ; hence only have this one. Any advice will be greatly appreciated ; as you may have guessed this is our first experience of the process. thanks a lot.

sunshineclouds24 · 18/01/2022 14:17

@missshine , I posted yesterday on the SW London girls private and grammar thread and another poster added too. It's a straight forward I/v.

missshine · 18/01/2022 14:28

thanks a lot @sunshineclouds24- going to have look now.