Free Places & Bursaries

I remember arriving at Hampton and immediately feeling  welcomed. From the very beginning, it was a place you genuinely wanted to be. At the end of each day, instead of looking forward to going home, it was more a feeling of, “already?” – because you wanted to stay, spend time with your friends and make the most of everything on offer.

The opportunities at Hampton are almost limitless. Whether in sport, co-curricular activities or wider school life, there is always something to get involved in. You can explore your interests, try completely new things and constantly challenge yourself. There is such a variety that everyone can find something they enjoy, and still feel like there is more to discover.

Academically, the experience was just as strong. Lessons were consistently engaging and inspiring. Hampton clearly looks for teachers who bring something extra to the classroom – individuals who are passionate about their subjects and capable of bringing them to life. Those teachers had a profound influence on me. They didn’t just help me understand the material; they made learning enjoyable and meaningful, and that has stayed with me long beyond school.

What sets Hampton apart, however, is that it goes beyond academic success. Of course, the School supports you to achieve excellent results, but it also focuses on developing you as a person. You learn how to treat others with respect, how to be considerate, patient and thoughtful in your interactions. Those values are embedded in daily life at the School and become a natural part of who you are.

That is reflected in the people who leave Hampton. Everyone I know from my time there is genuinely kind, grounded and enjoyable to be around. The friendships you form are incredibly strong. Hampton gave me not only an outstanding education but also some of my closest friends – relationships that have lasted well beyond school. We’ve remained a central part of each other’s lives, even standing as best men at one another’s weddings.

Looking back, Hampton gave me so much. It provided the foundation for future success, but equally importantly, it shaped the kind of person I have become. The combination of high academic standards, broad opportunities and a genuinely caring environment creates something quite unique.

For any family considering applying for a free place, my advice would be simple: come and see the school for yourself. Talk to the teachers, meet the pupils and experience the atmosphere. You will quickly understand what makes Hampton so special.

I grew up in Hampton with my mum and walked past Hampton daily and from a very early age I decided that this was the school I wanted to attend.

After I passed the 11+ examination, my mum spoke to the School about our situation. We could never have afforded the fees and the School was very understanding and easy to deal with. The admissions team made everything straightforward, and I was offered a completely free place. We didn’t even know that was possible at the time, so it was wonderful news.

From my very first day, Hampton felt like somewhere I could thrive. Every day brought something new, and the range of opportunities on offer is almost impossible to fully take advantage of. I immersed myself in as many activities as I could – clubs, sports and societies.

This combination of challenge and support allowed me to achieve results that secured a place at the University of Oxford, where studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

For any family considering a free place at Hampton, please apply. Don’t feel any sort of anxiety about the process or what it will entail. The School is there to help you every step of the way.

Luca is one of many Hamptonians who attended the School on a Free Place. From the outset he made the most of everything Hampton had to offer and excelled academically and on the sports field. Luca credits his Hampton education with completely changing his life.

Now, a successful solicitor at Bristows law firm in London, Luca is also an ambassador for Hampton School’s Charity, the Fitzwygram Foundation, set up to fund further Free Places to boys from less privileged backgrounds who would thrive at the School 

I come from humble beginnings, raised by a single mother in a small flat in South West London. Money was limited and independent school fees were out of reach.

Accessing a free place at Hampton came on the radar as we explored options and after visiting the School, I immediately felt drawn to it. There was a warmth about Hampton – in the people, the atmosphere and the approach – that really stood out. The admissions process could have been daunting, but we both remember how welcoming and supportive the staff were throughout.

I remember feeling very nervous before the entrance exam, but things moved quickly afterwards. We received a phone call the following week, and after an interview with the Headmaster, I was offered a full free place. It was an extraordinary moment for both my mum and me – a real turning point.

Once I joined Hampton, I found the balance between academic work and co-curricular life ideal. Outside the classroom, sport and activities played a huge role in my experience. What stood out most was the sense of community. Everyone is grounded and approachable, which made it easy to form strong friendships and build positive relationships with teachers.

Academically, Hampton challenged me to push beyond my limits and provided the resources and support to help me succeed. I went on to study Chemical Engineering in the United States and today, I work at Boston Consulting Group, where I support organisations in tackling complex strategic challenges.

I lived in Hounslow with my mum, dad, and little sister. To be honest a private education never crossed our minds but then we started hearing about the free places scheme at Hampton. When we walked through Hampton’s doors – it felt just right, and all the people were welcoming. I already loved chess at that time and knowing that Hampton had a strong Chess culture and that the school would support me all the way, was the icing on the cake.

Having a free place never made a difference, I felt the same as everyone else and no one talks about your background – everyone just talks about the opportunities you have available to you. I really liked the lessons – especially Chemistry but there was so much more than academic work on offer. I got involved in the orchestra and the male a cappella choir Voices of Lions, and did some football. But my first love has always been chess and I was a passionate member of the chess team. The school supported my independent chess career too and in Fifth Year I became the Under 18 British Chess Champion, which was amazing.