Our School
Located in a highly desirable corner of South West London, Hampton School is situated on a beautiful 28-acre green field site.
A continuous development and investment programme ensures that the School’s buildings and grounds are maintained to the highest standards ensuring our pupils enjoy the use of first-class facilities, including a state-of-the-art 3G all-weather sports ground, large multi-purpose sports hall and a professional standard Performing Arts theatre, The Hammond Theatre.
Generous teaching resources enhance lessons and students have access to a fully-equipped library, and specialist facilities for Art, Science, Technology and Languages.
The School has outstanding ICT facilities and is proud to be one of the leaders in this field in the independent education sector. Students have access to networked computers throughout the School, including those in three dedicated IT Suites, two Design Technology workshops, and three Science Labs, allowing the boys to access their work anywhere on the School site.
The Millennium Boat House – shared with the neighbouring Lady Eleanor Holles School – is situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames providing a focal point for our internationally renowned and highly successful Boat Club.
Hampton School dates its foundation to 1556/7 when, thanks to a bequest by Robert Hammond, a prominent local businessman, provision was made for the elementary instruction of local children by the Vicar of St Mary’s, Hampton upon Thames:
the … vicar churchwardens and porocheners shall cause a free scoole to be kepte … for euer more to thentent that the children there shalbe brought vpp shall praye for my soull and all Christen soulles.
The School has undergone many transformations since then and, although remaining in the Hampton area, has occupied several different sites. It moved to its current location in the Hanworth Road in 1939. Although it became a State Grammar School in 1910, it reverted to Independent status in 1975.
Today Hampton School is recognised as one of the leading academic boys’ schools in the UK. It has over 1,200 pupils, almost all of whom progress to top universities either in this country or abroad before pursuing a wide range of careers.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Hampton School – A Brief History
1792-1834 Governors’ Minute Book
The Hampton Free School Annex at Hampton Wick
The Mulberry Tree
The Hampton Mulberry tree has stood in the Cloisters for over 75 years and continues to produce delicious fruit in the late summer. The tree was first planted by A.S. Mason, Headmaster 1924-50, when the School was located in the Upper Sunbury Road. It was moved to its current position circa 1939. An item in that year’s issue of The Lion reports:
In one of the squares of the outer quadrangle has been planted a fine young mulberry tree … Given freedom from drastic damage there is no reason why it should not live to see Hampton Grammar School three centuries older than it is now is.
The School Archives are the guardian of its collective memory, aiming to preserve and develop to the best possible professional standards, a collection of material relating to the history of Hampton School both as a separate institution and in relation to Education generally, and to the School’s position within the local community.
Approaches to the Archives should in the first instance always be made in writing to Miss Alexandra Esmond, either by e-mail: A.Esmond@hamptonschool.org.uk or letter, addressed to her at the School. The Archives Policy (covering Access and Accessions) is linked below. For further information on the history of the School see >> Hampton School: A Brief History
Archives Administration
School Song Recording:
Hampton School had a fascinating history during World War Two. Click here to see our World War Two trail.
2020 marks 75 years since Victory in Europe Day and as part of the national commemoration, we have collected stories and memories from members of the Hampton community that tell of how their families and relatives were affected by the Second World War. Click here to read some of these remarkable accounts.
