Tiffin versus Hampton

[bferkoff]

We received a waitlist offer for Tiffin, having accepted a place at Hampton and now I am torn.

DS doesn't have very strong feelings either way and would be happy with either, although has said he prefers the facilities and sports at Hampton. Fees and distance aren't a problem and aren't being factored into the equation, so we're left with the merits of each school and I just don't know what would suit him best!

Tiffin feels slightly risky because if he doesn't cope with the fast-paced teaching, there isn't a lot of support (I don't think), and I don't know how he'll find it. He's coming from a sweet but sleepy state primary so it would be very different. Hampton feels safer with the class sizes and the scope for support but I don't know if I'm doing him a disservice by planning for the worst.

We've been flip-flopping on an almost hourly basis and any insights would be hugely appreciated!

@12345change hmm I must admit I have not thought about this way. If it hurt anybody- apologies. For that very reason and opportunity to hear some of his second language, I am sending my half-Polish, half-British son to the Catholic school.

We had the same dilemma as you OP and chose Hampton. My son is in his second year and it has been a great choice for him. He is not sporty and has found extracurricular activities that he enjoys in the lunchtime clubs. He has a lovely group of friends, the teachers seem excellent to me we had our most recent parent's evening yesterday, the school is kind and nurturing.

I felt that he'd be lost in the crowd at Tiffin and also felt nervous that we'd never actually been inside the school (no on-site open day in 2022 due to Covid restrictions). The class sizes will be bigger and they will be subject to the same budget constraints as other state schools.

Go with your gut feeling, you know your son better than anyone.

My much younger cousins went to hampton (recently graduated from uni) and they were very happy there. What impressed me most wast not the academic education - which was excellent - but the fact that they and their friends are such charming, confident and kind people, which speaks to the ethos of the school as well as they values of the families that send their kids there.

I have a boy at Hampton, so am biased. DS2 to follow…
the quality of teaching is strong, class sizes good and when there was an incident of unpleasant words, I was surprised how efficiently and fast it was dealt with.
DS is shy, and the only boy. From his primary. Hampton tutors put his arms around him and he settled in well.
the ethos is a lot more relaxed and supportive- but getting good results- arts is amazing and there are plenty of sporty and non sporty kids.
I cannot compare to Tiffin. But if money is no object, go for Hampton.
STEM teaching is superb…

This is exactly true. No extra money is going to state schools, it's just another spin to get people to vote labour (through envy) and it will never happen. That money will, like all the other 'extra funds' will line the pockets of whoever. What will happen and has already started is that private schools will cut their bursaries- some have already. It will make the system even more elitist, not less so. People really need to open their eyes and use their brain. State school funding- Tiffin is also a state school- will not be getting better. It means resources, buildings and services will be cut. Not pretty.

@lolo99 you seem very well informed about what Labour are going to do, are you in the shadow cabinet? 🙄If you're right - top universities will give even more places to state school educated children as a consequence due to the inequality...and rightly so.

I doubt they will. It's all nonsense. Not informed about labour but very informed about the education system and funding under labour and Tory. All spin, all profess to be giving extra money to schools- we NEVER see it and infact we are all having cuts!!!!

I am fairly well informed about the university system, FE and HE in general as it's my area of work. So I am aware of all the cuts etc. We will see what happens with the next government but I would like to take a more optimistic view. There will be more places available to state children if the inequalities continue. Whether people continue to want to go to university is another issue.

Even if Labour puts some tax on that would be minimal. Not significant enough to impact the parents. If the school places will be much more expensive so there will be demand for the states schools places. Taking tax from private schools to build more state schools may not be the best economy.