Ages 
One of the most genuinely inclusive, diverse independent schools in the London area, producing boys who are very conscious of their privileged education and make the very best of it - making a positive contribution to society is seen as an intrinsic part of that. It’s a fast-paced school and ‘your child has to be ready to run’, but we’d echo the head’s view that it’s ‘a values-led and not target-driven community’. ‘I wouldn’t have wanted any other school’, divulged one very satisfied customer. An ‘open and energetic’ school that is constantly striving to do even better. One parent summed it up perfectly: ‘Friendly, down-to-earth and ambitious: I’d recommend it to anyone’.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,335 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 374 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £29,916 pa
- Local authority
- London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Kevin Knibbs
Since 2013, Kevin Knibbs MA, previously deputy head since 2007 and before that history master, head of lower school and senior master at Bolton School Boys’ Division. Read modern history at Oxford, gaining two football blues in the process. Open and
Entrance
Highly selective. Around eight applicants per place and about half are interviewed. No sibling policy. Around 160 places at 11+, over half of whom join from 70 local state primaries; entry is via school’s own entrance exam plus interview and
- Open days
- Morning and afternoon onsite visits throughout September and October - see website for details.
Exit
Only around eight per cent leave after GCSEs. Universal praise for the ‘personally tailored’ advice on HE choices. Around 20 boys (19 in 2024) head for Oxbridge each year in a wide range of subjects, but all agree ‘it’s not an Oxbridge or nothing
Latest results
In 2024, 96 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 77 per cent A*/A at A level (94 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Academic life, like everything at Hampton, moves at quite a pace. It’s cool to be clever, and there’s a prevailing spirit of intellectual curiosity. Parents feel that Hampton gets a better balance than some competitors between academics and other
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Very experienced and well-regarded SEN team supports boys with a range of needs including ADHD, sensory processing and autism. Around 380 pupils currently access varying levels of SEN support, plus around 16 with EAL Both one-to-one and small group
Arts & extracurricular
‘An unbelievable breadth of clubs’, from beekeeping (delicious Hampton honey!) to board games to architectural Lego, means that everyone can find something to join, however obscure their interest. Many clubs were initiated by boys and ‘if something
Sport
With sports fields stretching as far as the eye can see, an enormous ‘3G’ artificial pitch (packed with boys at lunchtime) and a superb boathouse on the Thames, it’s no surprise that sport features highly among reasons to choose Hampton. Very high
Ethos & heritage
The school was set up over 450 years ago thanks to a bequest of property and land by local brewer and businessman, Robert Hammond. Formerly a grammar school but went independent in 1975. Somewhat austere 1930s LCC signature frontage with attractive
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
It’s a big and busy school, but no-one feels lost (colour-coded stairwells are a boon for new joiners). Parents praise the school’s thoughtful approach to integrating newcomers at both 11+ and 13+. Form groups take into account interests, geography,
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Hamptonians enjoy busy, active School lives filled with an exciting array of academic and co-curricular activities which we believe should be fully embraced without the distraction of smartphones. Pupils in the First to Fifth Year and therefore not permitted to use mobile phones during the School day; Sixth Formers may use them in designated areas only. A comprehensive Digital Wellbeing curriculum teaches safe, healthy technology use.
First Year pupils are strongly encouraged to only bring a basic non-smart phone to School. These devices will allow them to communicate when travelling to and from School without the unhelpful distractions associated with smartphones.
Pupils & parents
Thoroughly decent, intellectually sparky yet grounded boys who are great company. 'The boys model our values. They are big-hearted and generous-spirited. They show that nice guys can be winners too’, approves the head. Some of the politest boys you
Money matters
Ninety-five boys (about seven per cent) are on completely free places, including trips and uniforms. School’s aspiration is to increase this to 10n per cent by 2028, all at 11+. Academic, all-rounder, art, choral, performing arts, music and sport
- Fee information
- £29,916 pa
The last word
One of the most genuinely inclusive, diverse independent schools in the London area, producing boys who are very conscious of their privileged education and make the very best of it - making a positive contribution to society is seen as an intrinsic
