Class of 2016
Luca was awarded a free place to attend Hampton between 2009 and 2016. He believes that it has opened up many opportunities for him.
What were your childhood circumstances?
As a young boy, we lived in social housing and money was tight. Independent school fees were out of the question, so when it came to looking for a secondary school, we began researching the option of applying for bursarial assistance.
How did Hampton School come on the radar?
Hampton was a clear choice for me, it’s great for sport and academics which blended the two things that I was interested in. Hampton for me represented opportunity.
How did you feel hearing you had been offered a free place?
I remember opening the letter after I took the 11+ examination and finding out that I’d been awarded a free place and just going crazy. We were just cheering and there were a few tears. It was emotional because this was a new beginning for me - an incredibly special day.
What was your Hampton schooling like?
I was so excited every single day to walk through those doors and to experience Hampton life to its fullest. From the very first day I decided that I was going to give everything that I could and just envelop myself in Hampton life and make the most of it and ensure that by the time that I’d left, I felt like I’d done and seen everything.
What was the environment like?
Everyone cared - the atmosphere at Hampton is overwhelmingly friendly, both from the boys and from the teaching staff, and there’s also this kind of underlying motivation amongst everyone, you can tell that people are trying to be the best that they can be.
What was a highlight for you?
From an academic perspective, the teaching was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the challenge of studying and learning new things. Developing a love for biology and chemistry informed my university choices. On the co-curricular side of things, in my third year I decided to give rugby a try and realised pretty quickly that I had an affinity for the sport going on to play for Middlesex and London Irish. If it wasn’t for Hampton, I wouldn’t have discovered my ability and my love for the game of rugby.
Did being on a Free Place make you feel any different?
I was not treated any differently than any other boy. Your background doesn’t matter. Once you’re a Hampton boy, you’re a Hampton boy.
Did you make friends?
I’ve got lifelong friends from Hampton and keep in contact with many Hamptonians. The boys are the bedrock of what makes the school so special.
What is your message to others considering a Free Place?
The Hampton free place gave me the opportunity to become the person that I am. Without that free place I wouldn’t be where I am today. It can’t be overstated quite how significant being awarded a free place to this school is. There is no better place for you to be and no better environment for you to learn in and flourish.
What does life hold for you now?
I’m in a really exciting time of my life now, I finished my degree at Bath, got my First in Biochemistry, and then converted to Law. I am now a trainee solicitor at Bristows law firm in London and enjoying every minute.
Get to know Luca
University life:
First in Biochemistry, The University of Bath
Career:
Trainee Solicitor, Bristows LLP