Reed's School, Kingston Grammar School (KGS), and Hampton School comparison

[Ian85]

Hi all, My son is fortunate to have received offers from Reed's School, Kingston Grammar School (KGS), and Hampton School. While recognizing the key difference of co-education and league table results, I'm particularly interested in understanding the day-to-day culture and experiences at each school.

While academic results play a role, I believe the quality of teaching and opportunities for personal growth are equally important. All three schools boast impressive results, with Hampton clearly having the edge, but i am curious on the below for the 3 schools:

Learning environment: Is there a strong emphasis on collaboration or independent study?
School culture: Does the environment support individual pursuits and well-rounded development?
Student well-being: How does the school prioritize student mental health?

Some have described Hampton as a high-pressure environment. To what extent is this true across all three schools? Can a bright student achieve outstanding results without undue stress ?

Reed's recent efforts last 2-3 years to improve A-level results and its impressive facilities are appealing, and KGS is co-ed which is very important , but without very good facilities on site in Kingston.

Any insights from parents who have experience with all three schools would be invaluable. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Congrats! No advice but following as we are seriously considering an offer from Reeds.

Keeping a watch on this one too.

As am I ! 😃

Hi all Hampton parent here. I don’t find there is a lot of academic pressure. Homework is light in our experience, often just to finish off what they did in the lesson so if you work hard in the day you don’t have a lot to do at night. There is huge amounts of academic inspiration which is what my son loves. His eyes are completely lit up when he comes home to tell me about his lessons and his clubs, I can feel him buzzing. It’s an incredible school. I just asked him and he says he doesn’t feel any stress, but he is motivated to try his best.

Independent work and collaboration is equal I think. DS is doing group work in music and drama and the STEM fair and in all of his clubs (MUN, history society, etc) but there are independent projects going on too.

The teachers and heads of year are approachable and so responsive if you have a worry about anything pastoral. The very few worries I’ve had were dealt with very quickly and efficiently. PSHE sessions and well tailored. Lessons on ‘banter’ and holding grudges etc have really had an impact.

I would say for gentle/sensitive boys first year can be a baptism of fire socially but they very quickly adapt (in our experience) and learn how to cope with big groups of boys. It’s not plain sailing but they are lessons I’m very glad he is learning and he is stronger for it. Second year is much more settled socially with less of the boys trying to prove themselves! Even in first year when socially things could be a bit daunting the clubs and lessons and warm environment makes hard moments a lot easier. The huge range of very niche clubs help all personalities find their tribe!

Hope this helps. I had same worries two years ago with a few offers in the table for our DS and I’m very glad we took the plunge and chose Hampton.

Wish it was as easy for my DD! Currently trying to choose between LEH, KGS and Surbiton.

Reed’s parent - great pastorally and feel they actually get to know your child and good balance of individual/group work. Have a daughter at SHS which I was worried she’d get lost in but equally lovely school with great support from staff surprisingly for a bigger school pastoral is great. 😊

The ongoing disability discrimination case against the school with the
link:

Which school @BigBumMumm

Wow Reed’s is a great school, we love it and hope our son gets a place, it’s great to have facilities onsite instead of dead time travelling. It depends on what you want from the school and also distance from where you live. Do you have any tips for the interview at Reed’s and want sort of questions they ask? We absolutely love this school. Good luck in your choice I am sure you will make the right choice.

I couldn’t see the school on the link,

Hi @Ian85 ... which school did you choose? How's it going?