Founded in 1556 and endowed by the will of Robert Hammond, which provided for a school room beside the parish church and for a master's salary, the present buildings, which are on a single site in a suburban area, with adjoining playing fields, date from 1939. Recent extensions and developments provide very good facilities and accommodation - most recently an arts block, a boathouse (jointly with Lady Eleanor Holles), new pavilion and a state-of-the-art performing arts centre. Academic standards are high and examination results excellent. An extremely strong music department as well as considerable strength in drama and art. A high reputation in games and sports and a large number of county and international representatives; the school particularly excels at football, cricket and rowing. There is a flourishing CCF, an adventure society and the school has a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Pupils: Age range 11-18; 1130 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, at least 6 GCSEs at grade A preferred (required in proposed sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. Entry of 120 at 11 (60% from state primaries), 70 at 13 (mostly from prep schools).
Some 20 pa scholarships and exhibitions at 11 and 13, value 10%-25% fees: including academic, art, music, choral (11+) and all-rounder. Bursaries also available. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; extras £400 (max.) for lunches, insurance.
15+% are doctors, lawyers, etc; 45+% in industry or commerce; 10+% academics; 5+% in the Church; 15+% in the theatre, media, music etc.
Headmaster: Barry Martin appointed in 1997. Educated at Kingston Grammar and Cambridge University (modern languages and economics), Loughborough University (business administration) and University of London (education). Previously Principal of Liverpool College, Director of Studies at Mill Hill, Head of Economics at Repton, Housemaster at Caterham. Has also worked on EC matters in the Bank of England; Chief Examiner for Cambridge A-level Business Studies. Hockey blue and played cricket for Cambridge. Teaching staff: 110 full time, 9 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 39 (33% of staff under 30).
GCSE: 170 pupils in fifth year: 99% gained at least grade C in 7+ subjects (average of 9.5). A-levels: 142 in upper sixth, all passing in 3+ subjects (average in 4.5 subjects) with average final point score of 574.
Virtually all sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (15% after a gap year), 15% to Oxbridge. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 40% in science and engineering, 4% in law, 41% in humanities and social sciences, 3% in art and design, 4% in other subjects.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 29 AS-level subjects, 24 A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3-4 at A-level; in addition, all take A-level general studies. Some 33% take science A-levels; 33% arts/humanities; 33% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Some extra help in English where necessary. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level; also Mandarin. Regular exchanges to France, Germany and Spain, and occasionally to Russia. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg science, geography, history. 150+ computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), almost all networked and with email and internet access. Most pupils take ECDL.
Music: Over a third of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 30 musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, choral society, various chamber groups. Drama: Drama offered. GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. All pupils are involved in drama productions at some stage in school career. Own theatre company on Edinburgh Fringe. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 7 AS-level, 6 A-level. Many pupils have gone on to win prizes in foundation courses and degree shows.
Sport: Boys choose their sport from rugby, soccer, cricket, athletics, tennis, rowing, table tennis, swimming, fencing, basketball, badminton, squash, volleyball, cross-country. Sixth form only: sailing, golf, skiing. National representatives in several sports, world medallists junior rowing championships, England U18 and U16 rugby, England schools football; recent winners of Independent Schools Football Association Cup. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional (RAF and Army sections). Community service optional. Over 30 clubs, from bridge to geographical, debating to war games.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: All upper sixth may act as prefects; head boy, 10 senior prefects and 50 school prefects. Volunteer sixth formers are mentors to junior pupils. Religion: Non-denominational. One traditional religious assembly per week; two church services per year. Active Christian Union and other religious societies. Social: Drama (including joint A-level theatre studies), music, debates etc with Lady Eleanor Holles School. Active visiting speaker programme (some 20 a year). Huge range of school trips: exchanges with Germany, France and Spain; skiing trips, CCF camps, adventure society expeditions etc. Pupils allowed to bring own bike/motorbike/car to school. Meals (incl breakfast) self-service. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect reprimand or perhaps lunch-time detention; those in possession of illegal substances on the premises or on a school activity should expect expulsion.
Old Hamptonians Association, is run from the school.
Barry Sheerman MP; Brian May (Queen); Stephen Kramer QC; Professor Michael Sterling (Vice Chancellor of Birmingham University); Greg Searle (Olympic oarsman).
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