Hampton School
Independent Day (Boys) · Est. 1556
Loading map…
Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HD
Year 7 Places
~170
annual intake — one of London's largest
Termly Fee
£9,972
per term, inc. VAT (2024/25)
Total Pupils
~1,200
boys, day school
Founded
1556
Royal charter school
A-Level A*
34.7%
A* rate at A-Level (2024)
Oxbridge
20–30
boys to Oxbridge annually
Best For
Academically ambitious, well-rounded boys who want to achieve outstanding results while playing serious sport, joining the jazz band, and thriving in one of South West London's most energetic and genuinely friendly school communities.
Watch Out For
No percentage pass mark is published or valid — Hampton sets its own bespoke competitive papers where places are awarded by rank. The 'Words & Reasoning' paper is unique to Hampton and is consistently under-prepared for. The registration deadline is 1 November in Year 6, earlier than many families expect.
Entry Points
- 11+ (main intake, ~170 places); 10+ (small intake); 13+ (Common Entrance); 16+ Sixth Form
The Complete Admissions Timeline
Every key date, deadline and decision point — with insider intelligence you won't find on the school website. Click any item to reveal verified insider knowledge.
The critical window:
Key Dates At-a-Glance — Hampton 11+ Entry
- 1
Open Events
September / October, Year 6
- 2
Registration deadline
1 November, Year 6
- 3
Entrance exams
Late November, Year 6
- 4
Interviews (shortlisted)
January
- 5
Offer letters dispatched
Mid-February
- 6
Acceptance deadline
Early March
Inside the Hampton School 11+ Assessment
Hampton uses three bespoke written papers — all set by the school, none using ISEB, CEM, or any external adaptive system. The format is fixed (not adaptive), and offers are awarded by competitive rank, not a percentage threshold. The 'Words & Reasoning' paper is unique to Hampton and is the most commonly under-prepared component: it blends VR/NVR skills with practical comprehension of real-world texts — a format unlike anything on standard tutoring programmes. Creative writing uses a visual stimulus rather than a title or opening line. Exams are held in late November, earlier than most London schools.
English (40 min)
40 minutes · Handwritten: reading comprehension + image-based creative writing
Comprehension sections at Hampton reward analytical response and inference, not summary. The image-based creative writing format is consistently under-practised — most tutoring centres focus on title-prompt or opening-line formats exclusively.
Maths (45 min)
45 minutes · Handwritten, no calculator, working out required
Boys who can compute answers quickly but cannot explain their reasoning in written working lose significant marks. The non-routine problems require logical endurance — practising only standard curriculum questions is insufficient preparation for the hardest questions.
Words & Reasoning (40 min)
40 minutes · Handwritten: practical comprehension + VR/NVR question types
Families who only do standard English and Maths preparation arrive at the Words & Reasoning paper with no familiarity with the format. Digital NVR-only programmes are also inadequate — the visual and practical comprehension elements require paper-based, real-world practice.
Topic Difficulty & Weight
Difficulty (%) and exam weight by topic area
Key takeaway: The English paper has two sections: reading comprehension (prose passage) and creative writing. The creative writing prompt is image-based — boys are shown a visual stimulus and asked to write a descriptive piece responding to it. This is a specific and unusual format that rewards genuine observational writing and original vocabulary. Boys who have only ever practised title-prompt or first-line creative writing are consistently caught out.
Topic Breakdown
Known Exam Traps — English (40 min)
Build a weekly habit of image-based writing from Year 5. Show a photograph or painting for 60 seconds, then write for 20 minutes. Develop the skill of translating visual observation into precise, original language. The best responses have a strong authorial voice, not just a list of what is visible.
For every comprehension practice session, ask: 'Am I explaining what the author chose to do — and why?' Require specific textual reference and authorial intent in every answer.
Maintain an active vocabulary notebook from Year 4. Focus on precise descriptive language — sensory detail, specific nouns, strong verbs. Read widely and analytically, noting how skilled authors achieve effects with specific word choices.
The pattern: Comprehension sections at Hampton reward analytical response and inference, not summary. The image-based creative writing format is consistently under-practised — most tutoring centres focus on title-prompt or opening-line formats exclusively.
If you can only improve in one area, make it
Visual Stimulus Writing & Analytical Comprehension
What this means in practice:
Dedicate 60%+ of prep time to this area
Practice under timed conditions regularly
Review mistakes immediately after each session
Track progress weekly to spot patterns
All focus areas ranked by impact:
#1
Visual Stimulus Writing & Analytical Comprehension
English (40 min)
#2
Multi-Step Problem Solving & Shown Working
Maths (45 min)
#3
Practical Comprehension, Maps & Visual Reasoning
Words & Reasoning (40 min)
Results & League Table Position
Hampton consistently ranks among the top co-educational schools in England. These figures are benchmarked against national averages so you can see the full picture.
A-Level A* Rate
Not published
Public A-Level breakdown not published.
A-Level A*/A Rate
Not published
Use the narrative summary below.
GCSE Attainment 8
Not published
Public GCSE breakdown not published.
A-Level A*-B Rate
Not published
Top-tier academic reputation.
A-Level Results vs National Average
Hampton vs England average (%)
A detailed A-Level grade distribution is not publicly published for this school.
A*
Not published
A*/A
Not published
A*-B
Not published
What this means:
GCSE Grade Distribution
Hampton vs National distribution (%)
Detailed GCSE grade-distribution data is not publicly published for this school.
Grade 9-7
Not published
Attainment 8
Not published
What this means:
University Destinations
Where Hampton leavers go — % of cohort
The school signals strong progression outcomes, but does not publish a detailed destination split in the public admissions material used for this brief.
Notable Academic Achievements
League Table Position:
Insider Intel: What Other Parents Don't Know
These are the verified insights you will not find on the school website, in Good Schools Guide, or from any single tutoring agency. Each insight is compiled and cross-referenced from 95+ sources including official documents, parent reports, and tutoring industry data.This is the intelligence that gives ClassAce families an edge.
The Words & Reasoning paper is the biggest single prep gap
The vast majority of families preparing for Hampton focus on English and Maths. The Words & Reasoning paper is 40 minutes of exam time — equivalent to the entire English paper — and is not covered by ISEB, Bond, or most digital platforms. Boys who arrive at this paper without specific preparation are disadvantaged relative to peers who have practised information extraction from real-world texts.
The 1 November registration deadline is earlier than most London independents
Many families targeting Hampton alongside other schools are caught by the November 1 deadline, which falls weeks before registration closes at schools using the ISEB Pre-Test or the London Consortium exam. Missing it closes the 11+ route entirely.
Creative writing uses a visual stimulus — not a title
Hampton's creative writing prompt is an image. Boys are asked to write a descriptive piece in response to what they see. This is a specific and unusual format that rewards observational language, sensory detail, and original perspective. Standard title-prompt preparation is insufficient.
The school now actively wants well-rounded boys, not just 'mini maths geniuses'
A confirmed 2024 forum observation from an experienced tutor: Hampton has evolved its admission profile to seek boys strong in both Maths and English, not exclusively top-of-cohort mathematicians. A very strong Maths result combined with a weak English performance is less likely to succeed than it would have been a decade ago.
No sibling guarantee — every boy is assessed individually
Having an older brother at Hampton confers no admissions advantage. All boys must pass the written assessments on their own merit, regardless of family connections. This is confirmed official policy and catches families every year.
The two-interview format is designed to catch different aspects of character
Two different teachers, 15 minutes each, on different subjects. The school is deliberately testing for breadth of engagement, not just one polished conversation. Boys should have genuine talking points across multiple areas — sport, reading, music, interests outside school — not a single rehearsed story.
The LEH coach network is one of the best transport advantages in South West London
Hampton shares over 30 coach routes with Lady Eleanor Holles. For families in Richmond, Ealing, Wimbledon, Weybridge, and across Surrey and Middlesex, this transforms the logistics of daily attendance at a school on the edge of Greater London.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
The errors we see most often from families preparing for Hampton School. Avoid these and you're already ahead of the majority of applicants.
Trusting the '75%' pass mark figure
Fix: Prepare to the highest standard across all three papers. The only meaningful target is outperforming the cohort — not reaching a specific percentage.
Missing the 1 November registration deadline
Fix: Set a calendar reminder for October 15 to begin the registration process. The online application, photo upload, and £150 fee must all be in place by November 1.
Ignoring the Words & Reasoning paper in preparation
Fix: Explicitly include W&R preparation in any tutoring programme from Year 5. The tutor must be aware the paper exists. Use real-world materials: bus timetables, weather charts, factual articles, and simple maps.
Not showing working in Maths
Fix: Train the working-out habit from the beginning of Year 5. Every multi-step problem should have full annotated working, even when the answer is obvious.
Assuming the exam is the ISEB Pre-Test
Fix: Use Hampton-specific resources and past papers where available. Supplement with general 11+ preparation but explicitly cover the W&R paper's unique practical comprehension format.
Hampton vs Competitor Schools
How does Hampton School compare to the schools your child is most likely also applying to? This analysis covers the key factors that actually matter to families.
Important context: Hampton sits in direct competition with KCS Wimbledon, St Paul's, Dulwich College, and Kingston Grammar for the same pool of highly able South West London boys. It is considerably larger than most competitors and is unique for its sister-school relationship with LEH.
| Factor | FeaturedHampton School | KCS Wimbledon | St Paul's School | Dulwich College | Kingston Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Independent Day (Boys) | Independent Day (Boys) | Independent Day (Boys) | Independent Day (Boys) | Independent Day (Co-ed) |
| Co-educational | |||||
| VR in Exam | |||||
| Annual Fee | £29,916 | ~£30,000 | ~£33,000 | ~£27,000 | ~£24,000 |
| 11+ Difficulty | Very Hard | Very Hard | Very Hard | Hard | Hard |
| Interview Style | Two 15-min 1:1 interviews | 1:1 interview | Individual interview | Individual interview | Individual interview |
Why Parents Choose Hampton
- One of the largest 11+ intakes in London — ~170 placesWith ~170 Year 7 places, Hampton offers materially better odds than most comparable schools while maintaining equivalent academic outcomes. This does not mean it is easy to get in — but the numbers are less punishing than a school offering 80 places to the same pool.
- The LEH relationship is a genuine practical advantageHampton and Lady Eleanor Holles share 30+ coach routes and run extensive joint co-curricular programmes — drama, CCF, music, orchestra. For families in South West London, the daily logistics of an otherwise remote location are solved by the coach network.
- Outstanding academic outcomes without the high-pressure cultureNational Rank 14 at GCSE and 57= at A-Level, 20–30 Oxbridge places per year — delivered in a school described consistently by parents and alumni as grounded, friendly, and supportive. The pastoral care is frequently rated as exceptional.
- Exceptional sport, especially rowing and footballHampton has one of the best rowing programmes of any London independent school and is a serious football school. For a boy who wants to compete at a high level in sport while achieving outstanding academic grades, this combination is rare.
- The Words & Reasoning paper rewards the well-preparedFor families who know about the W&R paper and prepare for it specifically, it becomes a genuine differentiator — many competitors arrive under-prepared and underperform on a component they have never encountered.
Points to Consider
- The 1 November registration deadline is 6–8 weeks earlier than ISEB schoolsFamilies targeting multiple schools and managing by the January ISEB/Consortium calendar are routinely caught by Hampton's November 1 cut-off. It is the single most common avoidable logistics failure for this school.
- No sibling guarantee — confirmed official policyHaving an older brother at Hampton is not an admissions advantage. All boys are assessed on their own merit. This catches families who have assumed continuity.
- The Words & Reasoning paper is not covered by ISEB preparationIt is a full 40-minute paper — equivalent to the entire English paper — and is completely absent from ISEB, Bond, and most digital tutoring platforms. Families using purely ISEB-focused preparation are leaving a third of the exam entirely unprepared.
- No published pass mark — any percentage figure you find is invalidThe '75%' figure circulating on forums is an AI-generated estimate with no source reference. Using it as a preparation target creates either false confidence or false despair. The only real target is competitive rank within the cohort.
Scholarships & Financial Support
Academic Scholarships are awarded to the highest-performing entrants from the main assessment — no separate exam is required. Families seeking financial assistance should apply for a means-tested bursary at the point of registration, not after receiving an offer.
| Scholarship Type | Value | Available Places | Selection Method | Stackable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship | ~10% of fees + prestige recognition | Small number per year | Identified from main assessment performance — no separate exam required | Yes |
| Music Scholarship | Fee reduction (% not published) | Small number per year | Separate audition in January — Grade 5+ standard. Must be declared at registration. | Yes |
| Means-Tested Bursary | Up to 100% of fees | Available to all eligible applicants | Income-assessed — must be declared on the initial registration form | No |
* Bursary interest must be declared at registration. Families who miss this step cannot apply retrospectively for the same entry cohort.
You now know things about this school most applicant families never find out.
This is the Hampton School profile. ClassAce gives you the same intelligence for every school on your shortlist, plus a personalised preparation plan built around your child.
Free while we build. No credit card required.
School guides included
Explore detailed profiles for your target schools while ClassAce is free to use
Personalised prep plans
AI-powered learning plans built around your child's specific targets, strengths and weak areas
Verified exam preparation
Practice papers, topic drills and timed tests aligned to the exact format of each school's exam
Parent community
Connect with other parents navigating the same admissions journey — share and learn
Everything included in ClassAce
Full access to every piece of intelligence we've gathered — organised to give you an unfair advantage in the admissions process.
- Full insider intelligence on all shortlisted schools
- Unlock pass mark data and score benchmarks
- Personalised gap analysis for your child
- Exam practice papers matched to school format
- Interview preparation guides
- Real-time admissions calendar with reminders
- Scholarship and bursary eligibility calculator
- Peer comparison data from ClassAce families
ClassAce Free Access
Browse every school profile for free. ClassAce helps you turn your target schools into a clearer preparation route, with practice and planning tools available while we build.
Create Free AccountNo card required.
Intelligence Score
Updated · 95 sources
Coverage
Measures how much of the admissions picture is directly evidenced rather than inferred from comparable schools or legacy material.
Freshness
This edition was last checked recently. Recency scores fall when public evidence ages or current-cycle detail is sparse.
Use it well
Treat lower-scoring areas as prompts to verify with admissions, not as automatic red flags. The score is about evidence quality, not school quality.
Keep researching
More from ClassAce
School Match quiz
Answer a few questions and get a shortlist matched to your child and your area.
11+ exam formats
How entrance exams differ between schools — boards, papers, and timings compared.
Daily 11+ challenge
One free exam-style question a day. Build the habit before the mocks begin.
Near Hampton