Hampton School - News from Hampton Autumn 2025

AUTUMN 2025 NEWS FROM HAMPTON | 01

Les

NEWS FROM

HAMPTON TH E N EWSLET T ER F O R HAM PTO N S CHO O L

A UTU M N 2025 In This Issue • AVON TYRRELL • EUROPEAN CITIES TRIP • EXAMINATION RESULTS • HAMPTON TEA • MUSIC CONCERTS • SMALL BOATS HEAD • THIRD YEAR TEAM BUILDING

Misérables

LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, MUSICALITÉ!

The joint Hampton and LEH Senior School Musical Les Misérables was a triumph.

A cast and crew of 77 pupils, supported by talented Hampton musicians, transported audiences to 19th century France for this iconic tale of love, loss, and revolution. From soaring solos to stirring ensemble numbers, this was a show that will be remembered for years to come.

‘

Every pupil involved in the show was nothing short of outstanding, bold and driven.

Formidable!

Mrs Alice Jones, Director of Drama

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RECORD

GCSE RESULTS

Hamptonians were on cloud nine as they celebrated the School’s best-ever GCSE results, achieving an extraordinary 1,294 grade 9s.

An impressive 84% of all grades awarded were 9–8 (A* equivalent), and 96% were 9–7 (A*–A), reflecting the outstanding commitment and talent of Fifth Year Hamptonians.

A LEVEL SUCESS

The Class of 2025 celebrated an exceptional set of A Level results.

Over half the year group achieved a clean sweep of top grades (A* or A) with 72% of all grades awarded at A*–A and over 91% at A*–B. These superb results enabled our Leavers to secure places on prestigious courses at leading universities across the UK and overseas.

“

This multi-talented year group has impressed across all areas of School life and fully embraced what it means to be a Hamptonian.

The Headmaster, Kevin Knibbs

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REMEMBRANCE POPPIES Lower School artists created a display of 196 ceramic poppies to honour former pupils who died in the First and Second World Wars.

The handmade poppies were arranged around the School’s historic Mulberry Tree to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

NO LIMITS WEEK Hamptonians were challenged to try as many co-curricular clubs as possible during No Limits Week.

With over 130 clubs and activities on offer, there was something for everyone. From Code Ninjas and Chemistry Club to Karate and Knitting Club, pupils thoroughly enjoyed discovering new interests.

KINDERTRANSPORT

REFUGEE Hampton was privileged to welcome Kurt Marx a Kindertransport refugee who fled Nazi Germany in 1939.

Centenarian Mr Marx spoke to Hamptonians about experiencing the horrors of the antisemitic Kristallnacht, and arriving in the United Kingdom alone as a young Jewish teenager.

Sharing his remarkable story, Mr Marx urged pupils to ensure the atrocities of the Holocaust are never forgotten and to stand firm against hatred and intolerance.

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AVON TYRRELL

The Avon Tyrrell adventure trip to the New Forest was a great way for First Years to forge new friendships while having lots of fun.

From high ropes and archery to orienteering and tree climbing, pupils threw themselves into every activity.

A highlight for many was the exciting raft building competition, which saw teams launch their inventive creations onto Avon Tyrrell Lake with fingers crossed that they would stay afloat.

THIRD

YEAR

TEAMBUILDING Teambuilding Day saw new joiners and current Hamptonians tackle a range of fun activities.

Group challenges including the Spiders Web, Sky Walk and Deep Sea Rescue helped Third Years build communication and teamwork skills while getting to know their new tutors and Form groups.

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INTRODUCING THE

HAMPTON

BLEND Fourth Year pupil and tea afficionado Gabriel created a unique blend for Hampton School.

The Hampton Blend a mix of oolong, green and black teas - is a tasty and refreshing brew that has been a hit with all who have sampled it.

We welcomed a range of guest speakers to Hampton this term.

Global Head of Economics at Deutsche Bank, Jim Reid OH (1992), spoke about the influences shaping the worldwide economy; Kyle Odefey introduced audiences to the brave new world of AI avatars; and historian Helen Castor offered an illuminating insight into the life and reign of Elizabeth I.

SCIENCE

ISSP

TALK!

DAY

The annual ISSP Science Day welcomed Year 9 pupils from local partner schools for a day of hands-on discovery.

The young scientists’ experiments, ranged from testing the effect of pH on enzymes to designing hot air balloons to understand upthrust.

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NEW PUPILS’ CONCERT New Hamptonians treated us to an evening of outstanding music-making.

In a vibrant programme that spanned Beethoven and Mozart to Blur and Metallica, young musicians showcased their talents on instruments from bassoon and trumpet to electric guitar, sitar, and drums.

THE TEMPEST First and Second Year thespians staged a lively performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Blending action, comedy and romance, 30 Hamptonians from Drama Club, supported by a pupil tech team, brought the tale of a wizard’s storm and a disrupted voyage to life for an appreciative audience.

CAROL SERVICE St Mary’s Parish Church was packed with Hamptonians and their families for the annual Festival of Readings and Carols, a long-standing and treasured Hampton tradition. This year, over 140 pupils sang in five choirs accompanied

by Hampton musicians.

ST CECILIA’S CONCERT The Hammond Theatre was transformed into an elegant dining venue for the annual St Cecilia’s Day Concert.

The outstanding music recital featured works by Saint-Saëns, Richard Rodgers, and Bob Dylan, raising valuable funds for the Music Society.

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KINGSTON FESTIVAL Hamptonians excelled at this year’s Kingston Festival.

Lower Sixth musician Samuel won the Rowland Howells Cup as well as the David Speed Andrew's Cup for an exceptional vocal performance.

Samuel was also a member of the Clarinet Ensemble which took home two awards including the Addison Denny Rosebowl.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Hampton’s musicians and choristers ushered in the festive season with three spectacular Christmas Concerts.

Over 330 Hamptonians showcased their outstanding musical talent in our ensembles and choirs. Highlights included the First Year Choir’s joyful rendition of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and impressive solo performances by Upper Sixth musicians Leo and Jian, accompanied by the 60-strong Symphony Orchestra.

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TENERIFE TRIP Third Year Geographers enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Tenerife, exploring dramatic volcanic landscapes and the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Highlights included a cable car ride up Mount Teide with a visit to the solar observatory; braving Europe’s largest lava tunnels at Cueva del Viento; and exploring the Pyramids of Güímar.

DUKE OF

EDINBURGH

Over 60 Hamptonians pushed their limits on Silver and Gold DofE expeditions, conquering Dorset’s rugged coastline and the dramatic peaks of the Lake District.

Battling sunshine, rain, and overnight frost, they trekked a combined 2,800km, cooking under the stars and camping each night - a true test of resilience, teamwork and determination.

EUROPEAN

CITIES Sixth Form Historians embarked on a whirlwind tour of Central Europe.

In Munich, they explored sites tied to the Third Reich and paid a moving visit to the Dachau Memorial. Vienna revealed the grandeur of the Habsburgs and Cold War tensions, while Prague’s Castle and Museum of Communism deepened understanding of Soviet influence across the region.

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SOUTH

DOWNS

First Year Hamptonians traded the classroom for the countryside on their South Downs trip.

Against a backdrop of rolling chalk hills, pupils explored the landscape while learning about contour lines, sedimentary rock formations, and sustainable land use.

It was a brilliant day of hands-on learning in the fresh air.

MADRID Sixth Form Hispanists headed to Madrid for an immersive week of language and culture.

Following language lessons in the morning, afternoons were packed with cultural experiences, from exploring Toledo’s historic streets to witnessing Spanish history brought to life at Puy du Fou.

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CROSS COUNTRY

Hampton entered three age-group teams for the Richmond Schools’ Cross Country Competition held in Bushy Park.

In perfect weather conditions, junior runners excelled with First Years Arthur and Bertie selected to represent Richmond in the Middlesex Schools’ Championships.

RUGBY Congratulations to Lower Sixth Former Stanley on selection for England Rugby’s U18 Men’s Pathway development team.

Stanley has also been a member of the Harlequins’ youth scheme since the age of 14.

Plaudits also to our U13s who brought home the Plate after remaining unbeaten in the 2025 Middlesex Cup.

FOOTBALL Our footballers are on fine form with many teams competing in the final stages of the ISFA and ESFA national competitions.

The First XI kicked off the season with victory in the 2025 ISFA National Football Sixes tournament and currently sit at the top of the HUDL league.

BASKETBALL Basketball continues to grow in popularity at Hampton with 100 boys now regularly playing across the year groups.

Recent highlights have seen wins for the senior team in the Surrey League, and the U12s reaching the finals of the Richmond Borough Basketball Tournament.

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U17 NATIONAL

CHAMPIONS Hampton’s U17 cricketers have been crowned national ECB champions.

Facing a strong Rugby School at Edgbaston, Hampton topped off an exceptional season to bring home the winners’ trophy

ROWING The 2025 Hampton Small Boats Head saw 700 junior crews from across the UK competing on the River Thames.

Thanks to all in the Boat Club community who helped make the day such a success and congratulations to Hampton oarsmen who put on some exceptional performances with wins in the Junior Coxed Fours, J16 Coxed Fours, J15 Coxed Quads and J15 Double Sculls.

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INDEPENDENT

BOYS’ SCHOOL

of the Year Hampton has been named Boys’ School of the Year at the 2025 Independent Schools of the Year Awards.

Judged by a panel of leading head teachers and educationalists, these awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the sector.

This recognition is testament to our talented pupils and the commitment and dedication of our teaching and support staff.