From the Headmaster's Study
31 March 2026
Hampton’s site is typically at its most colourfully resplendent during springtime and early summer, but our talented Grounds staff ensure year-round that our playing fields are in the best possible condition. We were thus delighted to see Mr Webb and his colleagues duly recognised as regional ‘Grounds Team of the Year’ at the Independent Schools’ Football Association (ISFA) awards – many congratulations!
The past ten School weeks have been as vibrant, active and purposeful as ever, with Hamptonians embracing the varied activities of English Week, and achieving an impressive array of academic successes across a range of science, linguistics or mathematics competitions/Olympiads. Our Lower Sixth have also demonstrated their intellectual curiosity and innovative flair at two recent national competitions held at Cambridge University. Members of the Environment Society excelled at the Davidson Inventors’ Challenge, where they recorded an impressive second place finish out of 330 entrants. A group of chemists from the same year group secured an equally praiseworthy podium finish at the UK Chemistry Tournament finals.
Hampton’s Music department has been characteristically energetic and productive this term, with an extensive programme culminating in last week’s splendid Spring Concert. Earlier highlights included an inaugural Chamber Music Day, which involved performances by 19 ensembles across the School. The pipeline of musical talent remains remarkably strong, with over 50 pupils entering the annual Piano Competition.
School Drama has similarly flourished, including when the Hammond Theatre hosted a swashbuckling senior production of Treasure Island, in collaboration with Hampton High. Packed audiences enjoyed two exciting evenings on the high seas, incorporating cleverly choreographed swordplay, atmospheric sea shanties by a live pupil band, and a compelling rendition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure.
Meanwhile, our sportsmen have kept spectators on tenterhooks, created their own drama, and given us plenty to cheer throughout the spring term.
In Rowing, the Schools’ Head of the River Race saw the leading Hampton Boat Club crews finishing in the top four of their categories ‒ these encouraging results reflect the hard work invested over the challenging winter months and provide strong foundations for the summer regatta season ahead.
On dry land it has been an excellent Rugby Sevens season. Every year group has secured silverware, including tournament victories for our First, Second, U16 and U13 Sevens squads. At last week’s Rosslyn Park National Schools tournament, it was a notable achievement for our U14s and First VII to reach day two of their competitions, and our U13s were unbeaten in their group.
Our footballers have completed two exceptional terms and done much to enhance Hampton’s place in the top echelon of the schools’ game. An entirely ‘home grown’ First XI won the prestigious HUDL League ‒ a superb achievement given the high standard of competition. Moreover, they will be one of three squads (alongside our Second XI and U12Bs) involved in English Schools’ FA Cup Finals this year – making it a total of 14 Hampton appearances in ESFA finals over the past decade. We can anticipate a very sizeable, committed and joyfully vociferous band of Hampton supporters travelling to these matches at Stoke City FC in May.
Please do take a moment to read more about all the above and many other stories besides in News from Hampton, which should have reached your inbox last week. Further details can also be found via our website’s news feed.
As the Easter break get underway for pupils and teachers alike, we shall see 400+ Hamptonians and colleagues participate in 11 School trips during the holiday period. From touring the First World War battlefields of Belgium and France, to benefitting from the ever-popular Ronda trip, to absorbing Sicilian culture and classical heritage, boys will return from their travels entertained, enlightened and energised. These horizon-broadening opportunities are among the most memorable and formative elements of a Hampton education, so I am profoundly grateful to members of the Common Room for organising and leading them.
Finally… and amply demonstrating that Hamptonians go on to do great things… we wish former School Captain Matt Brittin CBE OH (1986) every happiness and success in his new role as director general of the BBC. His pupil profile in the 1986 edition of The Lion gave an early indication of his leadership abilities and it is comforting to know that one of our most important institutions is in excellent hands:
“He has proved one of the best captains we can remember: an excellent organiser, whose easy and humorous manner has enabled him to get things done without fuss.”
The Lion Magazine,1986
I hope that everyone in our Hampton family – pupils, parents, colleagues and alumni – has a restful and relaxing break. We can doubtless all look forward to another high-octane Hampton summer term thereafter!
With kind regards and best wishes
