Class of 2017

Q

Growing Up

A

I came from humble beginnings, raised by a single mother in a small apartment in southwest London. I’m an only child and my mother worked part-time so that she could drop and pick me up from school, consequently there wasn’t much money to go around.

Q

Why Hampton?

A

Hampton came onto the radar as I was looking into secondary schools. One of my mum’s work colleague mentioned the bursary scheme at Hampton and after visiting the school, I fell in love with the place and really wanted to go there.

Q

The application process

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The whole secondary school application process can be stressful but my mum remembers the admissions staff at Hampton were really nice and there was a warmth about the School and the people there. For me, the biggest thing was meeting the Headmaster, but he had such a calming presence that I actually felt really relaxed when I finally got to his office and our conversation went extremely well - acting as a final validation that Hampton was the right place for me.

Q

The Free Place offer

A

I remember feeling extremely nervous heading into the entrance exam but I must have done really well because we got a phone call the next week, and after an interview with the Headmaster, Hampton said they would love to have me and I was offered a full Free Place.

Q

Hampton life

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I found the balance between academics and co-curricular perfect for me; alongside the hours of study there was plenty of down time and fun activities that really helped to build friendships. My favourite subjects included Maths, Chemistry and Physics as I loved learning about new concepts and putting my brain to the test. I really enjoyed my Art and DT classes as well because they were such a different pace added a fresh dynamic to my day. Outside of the classroom, I loved playing football whether with the main teams, participating in social league or simply playing at lunchtime. One thing that stood out at Hampton was the range of options available, I had a great time trying my hand at a lot of things from new sports such as badminton, to other activities like photography club

Q

Settling in and friendships

A

Everyone at Hampton is so down to earth that I really had no trouble making friends with my peer group and also forming great relationships with teachers! Hampton has such a diverse group of pupils and everyone just wants to enjoy their school life and navigate the journey together.

Q

Did you feel different?

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No, I always felt the same as everybody else! With Hampton you really feel at ease, they are extremely welcoming and embrace people from all backgrounds to create an environment where everyone is truly equal.

Q

Results

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I achieved more than I could've imagined both in GCSEs and A-Levels! Hampton really pushed me beyond my limits and provided extensive resources at every turn to continually improve and develop. My academics at Hamptons provided a foundation for my success both at university and work, and will continue to be the bedrock for any future achievements.

Q

Post-Hampton

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I studied Chemical Engineering in the USA before pivoting to consulting at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after I graduated. I was enthralled by the prospect of adventuring to the US and engaging with the broad curriculum. At the time, I was very unsure on what I wanted to do both academically and professionally, and the very flexible and diverse offerings in the US system appealed to me.

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Career

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Today, I work in management consulting at BCG where I offer strategic guidance to industry leaders as they look to address key problems and challenges. I really enjoy the variety. It's always fascinating to completely immerse myself into new industries and supporting those looking to drive change. In the future, I plan to go to business school before returning to BCG and working my way up to Project Leader where I can gain more management experience.

Q

Message to other families

A

A Hampton free place is 100% worth it, and Hampton really does everything to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible and deliver the quality experience you are hoping for.

Q

How important was the Hampton Free Place?

A

The free place at Hampton opened doors to possibilities I never would have encountered without it, and positioned me for success by providing an exceptional education and personal development opportunities. I can wholeheartedly say that I wouldn't be where I am today without the Hampton free place.

Back to overview

About Kolade Balogun

University life:

Vanderbilt, Tennessee

Career:

Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Best Hampton Memory:

Playing football on the fields