Scholarships

Academic Scholarships

Academic Scholars at Hampton have a passion for knowledge and a profound intellectual curiosity. Given Hampton’s highly selective nature, the academic curriculum and extensive co-curricular programme are designed to stretch and challenge all our pupils, but scholars are expected to embrace these opportunities particularly well.

For entry to the First Year at 11+

Potential Academic Scholars at 11+ are identified through the 11+ Entrance Examination and all candidates who sit the assessments are automatically considered.

Edmund Pigeon Scholarships, named after one of the School’s principal benefactors, are awarded annually to boys joining the First Year (Year 7) for academic excellence. A Robert Hammond Scholarship may also be awarded for academic excellence and is usually restricted to boys’ resident for the previous two years in Hampton, Hampton Hill or Hampton Wick.

There is no separate application form for the Academic Scholarship and the number and value of awards varies from year to year.

For entry to the Third Year at 13+

Nathaniel Lacey Scholarships and John Jones Scholarships are awarded annually to boys joining the Third Year (Year 9) for academic excellence. 13+ entry, Academic Scholarships are awarded through the Common Academic Scholarship Examination based on the Common Entrance syllabus. Candidates are recommended by their Prep School Head and are invited to sit written assessments in the May prior to their September joining date.

Applications should be made by the candidate’s parents using the admissions portal. The closing date for 13+ Academic Scholarship applications is 1 February prior to their September joining date.

Please note that Hampton School will not offer a candidate a scholarship if he has already accepted a scholarship offered by another school.

Art Scholarships

Art Scholarships are awarded for entry to the First Year at 11+ and the Third Year at 13+. Art Scholarships recognise creativity, imagination and passion as well as artistic talent across a wide range of media. Hampton offers superb, purpose-built Art facilities, including spacious studios, a ceramics kiln, darkroom, iMacs and printing presses. A stunning gallery space regularly showcases pupils’ work and there are numerous opportunities to visit galleries, museums, art events and lectures. Art scholars are required to play an active, enthusiastic part in the creative life of the School and are encouraged to enter local and national competitions to develop their artistic talents. Many Art Scholars continue their studies in art or design at university or art college. Successful Art Scholars should expect to study Art to GCSE level and ideally beyond.

Please see Mrs Williams, our Head of Art, discuss our Art Scholarship programme below:

What are we looking for?

Successful candidates must demonstrate natural flair and a reasonable level of technical skill as well as a commitment and passion for art.

For entry to the First Year (Year 7), only candidates invited for interview following the written entrance exam will be invited for an Art scholarship assessment and assessment does not guarantee the offer of a place. Candidates joining the School in the Third Year (Year 9) are assessed for the Art Scholarship in the January of Year 8 and will already have accepted their place at Hampton.

Portfolio of work

Candidates are asked to upload a portfolio of recent work in a range of media which will be reviewed by the Head of Art. The following are suggestions of what may be included in the candidate’s portfolio (only work completed in the last two years should be presented, sketch books may be included):

• No more than ten sheets of two-dimensional work in A1 or A2 format, including drawings and paintings from observation (still life, portraits, landscapes) as well as imaginative pieces
• Photographs of 3D work
• Examples of photography, textiles and printmaking

The assessment process

Candidates will be shortlisted for assessment based on their portfolio of work, supporting references and Headteacher’s report.  Assessments take place in the Art Department in January prior to the September of entry. Candidates will be asked to complete a short drawing and/or painting test and to present and discuss their portfolio of work with a member of the Department. Art materials are provided but candidates are also welcome to bring their own materials too if they wish.

Scholarship Applications forms for 11+ and 13+ entry in September 2024 will be available in October.

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Chess Scholarships

Chess Scholarships are awarded for entry to the First Year at 11+ and the Third Year at 13+. Chess is hugely popular at Hampton and the School plays in the Surrey Schools league and the ECF British Schools Championship, winning a number of regional and national titles each year. Chess Scholarships are available to talented chess players playing, or with the potential to play, at national level.

What are we looking for?

Candidates need to demonstrate aptitude and enthusiasm and play to a standard in line with an ECF grading of around 1250 if applying for a Scholarship for entry at 11+ and a grading 1400 or higher for entry at 13+. For entry to the First Year (Year 7), only candidates invited for interview following the written entrance exam will be invited for a Chess scholarship assessment and assessment does not guarantee the offer of a place.  Candidates joining the School in the Third Year (Year 9) will already have accepted their place at Hampton as assessments are held in the January of Year 8.

The assessment process

Assessments take place at the School in January prior to the September of entry and include game play and an informal chat with the Head of Chess. Supporting references from appropriate professionals are required.

Scholarship Applications for 11+ and 13+ entry in September 2024 are now open.

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Choral Scholarships

Choral Scholarships are available to boys joining the First Year at 11+ and are awarded in conjunction with The Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. Choral Scholars are therefore required to be, or to become, choristers of the Chapel Royal. They are also expected to take a leading part in the School Chamber Choir and play a full and enthusiastic part in the musical life of the School throughout their time at Hampton. This can include playing in an orchestra, ensemble or band if their instrumental ability is of a sufficiently high standard.

Hampton Court Chapel Royal choristers rehearse twice a week, and sing at the two choral services held on Sundays and other Holy Days. Further details and information on the regulations for choristers at the Chapel Royal are available on the School website.

The assessment process

Auditions for Choral Scholarships take place at the Chapel Royal. Candidates are asked to perform a song or hymn of their own choice and to sight-read music of an appropriate standard. The audition will also include aural tests and questions on general music topics. Instrumentalists will also have the opportunity to play a piece of their choice should they wish to do so. Please note that only candidates invited for interview following the written entrance exam will be invited for a Choral scholarship assessment and assessment does not guarantee the offer of a place.

Supporting references are required and letters of support from appropriate representative bodies and professionals.

When a Choral Scholar’s voice changes, his obligation to the Chapel Royal ceases, however, he is expected to remain in the School Chamber Choir, or to return to it when he can, and to contribute in other ways to the musical life of the School.

CHAPEL ROYAL INFORMATION CONDITIONS OF CHORISTER

Scholarship Applications forms for 11+ and 13+ entry in September 2024 will be available in October.

KEY DATES

Music Scholarships

Hampton has a longstanding tradition of musical excellence and we are looking for bright, enthusiastic candidates who will lead the School’s orchestras, ensembles, bands and choirs by example and participate fully in the musical life of the School.

We believe passionately in fostering a love of music and inspiring boys to achieve their musical goals and ambitions. Our Music Scholars not only benefit from outstanding music-making facilities but also have the opportunity to learn from a team of first-class specialist musicians who are prominent performers in their field. The experience of studying and performing alongside other equally talented and enthusiastic musicians also provides an added dimension to a richly rewarding School life.

Music Scholarships are awarded for entry at 11+, 13+ and 16+.

Please see Mr Roland, our Director of Music, discuss our Music Scholarship programme below:

Music Scholarships for entry to Hampton at 11+ and 13+ .

Standard at 11+

Candidates are expected to offer at least two instruments (which may include voice), one of which should be at least Grade IV standard. Please note that only candidates invited for interview following the written entrance exam will be invited for a Music scholarship assessment and assessment does not guarantee the offer of a place.

Standard at 13+

Candidates are expected to offer at least two instruments (which may include voice), one of which should be at least Grade VI standard. Candidates are assessed in the January of Year 8 and will already have accepted their place at Hampton.

Standard at 16+

Candidates are expected to offer at least two instruments (which may include voice), one of which should be at least Grade VIII standard. Candidates are assessed in the January of Year 11 and will already have accepted their provisional place at Hampton (conditional upon receipt of satisfactory GCSE results in the August prior to entry).

The Assessment Process

The Pre-audition video (optional)

Candidates are invited to submit a video in support of their application demonstrating their musical ability and enthusiasm should they wish. The video should be no longer than two to three minutes in duration and show the applicant performing a piece of music of their choice which best demonstrates their current level on their MAIN instrument or voice.

Supporting references

Supporting references from the candidate’s Head of Music (where appropriate) and other professionals are required.

The Audition

Candidates are invited for audition based on their application form, supporting references and pre-audition video (if submitted).

Candidates will be asked to play two contrasting pieces, of their choice, on their first instrument. A skilled and sympathetic accompanist will be in attendance, but candidates are welcome to bring their own accompanist if preferred. There is no written paper but the audition will include sight-reading (on the principal instrument), aural tests and questions about general music topics.

Scholarship Applications forms for 11+ and 13+ entry in September 2024 will be available in October.

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Performing Arts Scholarships

Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded for entry to the First Year at 11+ and the Third Year at 13+. The arts are an important and exceptionally vibrant part of Hampton life. Our superb Performing Arts centre, The Hammond Theatre, gives Performing Arts Scholars the opportunity to fulfil their potential in all aspects of theatre.

Scholarships are awarded to candidates demonstrating significant ability and potential in Drama and/or Musical Theatre, and a strong commitment to working as part of the performing arts team throughout their time at the School. Performing Arts Scholars are expected to immerse themselves fully in the life of the Drama Department by auditioning for School productions and playing an active part on stage or behind the scenes. For Musical Theatre candidates, we would expect applicants to demonstrate significant ability and potential either as a singer or dancer, alongside accomplished acting ability.

What are we looking for?

Applicants should have experience of performing on stage and be able to show a sustained interest in the performing arts and theatre. Candidates may have attended a performing arts school such as Stagecoach and/or taken LAMDA exams, but this is not a requirement. For entry to the First Year (Year 7), only candidates invited for interview following the written entrance exam will be invited for a Performing Arts scholarship assessment and assessment does not guarantee the offer of a place.  Candidates joining the School in the Third Year (Year 9) will already have accepted their place at Hampton as assessments are held in the January of Year 8.

The assessment process

Auditions take place at the School in January prior to the September of entry. Candidates invited for assessment will be asked to prepare and perform a short monologue from a published play, or prepare and perform a short piece from a published musical (for Musical Theatre candidates), and perform an unseen audition piece (ten minutes preparation time is allowed immediately prior to the unseen audition piece assessment).

The assessment will also include a short interview with the Director of Drama. Supporting references from the candidate’s Head of Drama (where appropriate) and other representative bodies and professionals are required. Please supply telephone contact numbers where applicable.

Scholarship Applications forms for 11+ and 13+ entry in September 2024 will be available in October.

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Sport Scholarships

Hampton is unusual – probably unique – among the UK’s top academic schools in concurrently being one of the country’s best sporting schools. Many Hamptonians achieve regional and national representative honours in their chosen sport.

Sport Scholarships are awarded at 11+ and 13+ to exceptionally talented and committed sportsmen who have demonstrated ability and potential in one or more of the School’s main sports (Association Football, Athletics, Cricket, Rowing (13+ only), Rugby Union, Tennis) or who are very strong ‘all-rounders’.

Sport Scholars benefit from:

• Use of outstanding sports facilities, including gym and all-weather pitch
• Strength and conditioning training
• First-class specialist coaching from experts in the field
• Expectation to serve as a role model to peers
• Opportunity to attend workshops, matches and international tours
• Psychological and physical endurance training
• A personalised health and wellbeing programme

What are we looking for?

Hampton is nationally renowned for having exceptionally high sporting standards, meaning that scholarship candidates will need to demonstrate they are playing (or have the potential to compete) at county, national or international level. Candidates must be an outstanding ‘A’ team player or equivalent in their current school setting and/or an excellent club level performer. We also expect candidates to have a high degree of fitness. As a guide, 11+ candidates are expected to be able to comfortably run at least 2300m in 12 minutes, 2500m for 13+ candidates

Candidates who are awarded a Sport Scholarship are expected to contribute fully to the sporting life of the School across all three terms of the academic year throughout their time at Hampton. Retention of the award is dependent on excellent effort and performance, exemplary conduct and sportsmanship during training and matches, and a positive contribution to team spirit. Scholarship holders are expected to lead by example and high levels of motivation and commitment to training, teamwork and competition are required.

The assessment process

Candidates are shortlisted for assessment based on their performance in the written entrance examination papers, their achievements to date in their chosen sports and references provided in support of their application (including letters of support from representative bodies and appropriate sporting professionals). Please note, an invitation to join the Sport Scholarship assessment process does not guarantee the offer of a place at the School. Hampton does not award Sport Scholarships to boys who will find the academic pace of School life too demanding.

Stage 1: The first stage of assessment takes place on a weekday morning, during which boys are assessed in their two chosen sports. These include practical tests such as drills and games led by our specialist coaches. Candidates are asked to wear appropriate sports kit.

Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates are invited for Stage 2 of the assessment process later in January. This stage focuses on athletic testing including endurance, power agility and coordination. Candidates also meet individually with a member of the Sports department for an informal interview and discussion (no preparation is required).

Please see Mr Mills, our Director of Sport, discuss our Sport Scholarship programme below:

Scholarship Applications forms for 11+ and 13+ entry in September 2024 will be available in October.

KEY DATES