From the Headmaster's Study
03 July 2026
The final bell of the school year rang at 12 noon today, heralding the start of a well-deserved summer break for pupils and teachers alike. Once again, it has been marvellous to see Hamptonians making the most of their schooldays and excelling in the classroom and beyond.
Indeed, the breadth of activities available here was prominent among many areas commended by our visitors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) earlier this term. I do hope that you’ve had an opportunity to read the ISI report, shared recently via School Post and with a summary of the key findings linked here. Alongside confirming that Hampton meets every regulatory standard, it is especially pleasing that our School is among a small number nationally to have received ISI’s rare ‘Significant Strength’ endorsement. In our case, this was in recognition of ‘the school’s exceptionally comprehensive and well-managed co-curricular programme’ and ‘its highly positive impact on all aspects of pupils’ wellbeing.’
I have a long list of reasons why I wish that I’d been fortunate enough to attend Hampton myself. Doing so would have been a Golden Ticket of the type featured in this term’s splendid Lower and Middle School production, staged in partnership with Hampton High. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory saw lucky Hammond Theatre audiences transported to Willy Wonka’s fantastical world – complete with chocolate river, Glass Elevator, and the irrepressible Oompa Loompas. You can read about this joyful production, alongside many other highlights of summer term 2026, within the pages of News from Hampton.
Our musicians rounded off a characteristically melodious year in fine style with two memorable performances during our final week. Tuesday’s Founders’ Day celebration featured beautiful singing and playing by 60 Hamptonians; over 130 pupils featured in Wednesday evening’s uplifting Summer Concert, including four exceptional Upper Sixth soloists.
Hamptonians have also hit plenty of high notes on our playing fields since the Easter break. Our footballers scaled new heights as the First XI, Second XI, and U12B teams all reached their respective English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) national finals ‒ it seems that Stoke City FC’s stadium is fast becoming Hampton’s second home! Congratulations to all three squads, and no less to the black and yellow army of supporters who travelled to the Potteries and gave such generous-spirited vocal support to their peers. On the river, our rowers have also enjoyed success. An impressive haul of medals at the National Schools’ Regatta included a podium finish for our Championship VIII for the first time in 12 years. Their bronze medal earned them a seeded place at the Henley Royal Regatta, where we were delighted to cheer them on to victory in their opening two races this week.
With more sporting excitement to come over the holidays (I’m not talking about England vs Mexico!), we wish our U13A cricketers well next Wednesday when they play The Manchester Grammar School in the national final of the English Schools’ Cricket Association trophy. In Athletics, three Hamptonians will compete at the English Schools’ Track and Field Championships in Birmingham later this month. We wish all our young sportsmen the very best in their competitions.
For many of our boys, the summer holidays will include adventure on School trips. We say ‘bon voyage’ to the 200+ pupils and colleagues heading off to destinations far and wide, including a three-week expedition to Malawi, and a much-anticipated return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for our 54-strong choir, Voices of Lions. Later today, I shall be joining colleagues from the History department and 45 Fourth Years on the annual Berlin trip – there is no better way to round off the School year than by introducing Hamptonians to the distinctively vibrant and refreshingly pluralistic qualities of my favourite European city.
As we reach the close of the 2025-26 academic year, it feels apposite to pay particular tribute to our Upper Sixth Leavers. They are a remarkably talented group of young men, distinguished by their intellectual curiosity, fellowship and sense of fun. As First Years, their early months at senior school were interrupted by the Covid pandemic – a less-than-ideal start to their time at Hampton! But this was also a shared experience that forged their subsequent determination to embrace everything on offer here… and it was heartwarming to hear one of our School Captains encapsulate the spirit of our Class of 2026 in their final assembly:
“The friendships we have made, the lessons we have learned, and the joys and successes of our School life have formed the backbone of who we are, both as individuals and a community. What makes our year so special is how interconnected we are, and how much mutual support and respect there is for everything that we all do.”
I wish everyone in our School community – pupils, parents, alumni and colleagues alike – a restful, relaxing and enjoyable summer. Let’s hope… although this may be stretching the boundaries of credibility… that England are World Cup winners by the time we reconvene in September for another exciting Hampton year!
