WORKING AT HAMPTON
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE COLLEAGUES
“Pupils develop deep knowledge and sophisticated understanding across all areas of learning and employ skills well beyond expectations for their age.”
We are delighted that you are considering joining the Hampton Common Room.
Established over 460 years ago, Hampton is one of the country’s foremost, highest-achieving and best-resourced independent schools. Our School community is a vibrant, engaging and happy one in which to teach and learn. Members of our Common Room are talented, committed and highly supportive of one another and their pupils; colleagues share their love of learning with young people who are bright, attentive and aspirational.
Hampton staff enjoy a range of benefits, including generous salaries. Private health insurance cover is provided, along with free lunches in a private staff dining room, and excellent CPD provision. Subsidised accommodation within School-owned properties in the local area may also be available for new colleagues. Those with children who meet the Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep School and/or senior school entrance requirements benefit from substantial remission on fees. A reciprocal fee remission arrangement is offered to staff whose daughters meet the entry criteria for our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Alongside those joining us as teachers, we recruit talented individuals for a wide range of support and business roles across the School Trust. Teaching staff join us from university, PGCE courses or as experienced teachers, but also from a variety of sectors including post-doctoral research, universities, industry and commerce. Successful candidates who are new entrants to the teaching profession are supported towards qualified teaching status via an in-post PGCE course offered in conjunction with the University of Buckingham.
Hampton is a very highly-regarded name on any teaching CV and our School often acts as a professional springboard. Many colleagues have successfully moved on to middle or senior leadership roles, with 10 former members of the Common Room appointed as HMC/GSA Heads over recent years.
I hope this booklet offers you an insight into life as a member of our Common Room, but please do contact us directly if you have further questions about working here.
Kevin Knibbs MA (Oxon) Headmaster
ABOUT HAMPTON
We are a lively, friendly and caring School community where we aspire to enable our boys not only to make sense of the world, but also to want to go out and improve it. Hamptonians are encouraged and expected to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect.
Situated on a green-field site in a leafy suburb of South West London, we are fortunate to have over 27 acres of playing fields within our spacious grounds. Pupils and staff alike benefit from first-class facilities across all areas of School life. These include a state-of-theart 3G sportsground, a large and well-appointed Sports Hall, and the superb Hammond Theatre for the Performing Arts, along with an excellent library and specialist facilities for Art, Music, Science, Technology, Computer Science and Languages (Modern and Classical). Our older pupils enjoy impressive Sixth Form private study and Careers provision in The Barry Martin Centre. The Millennium Boat House, shared with our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles, enjoys a prime location on the nearby River Thames and provides the focal point for our popular and successful Boat Club
Hamptonians examination results and university entrance record consistently rank among the best achieved nationally and indeed internationally. Nearly all Hampton leavers go on to undergraduate courses at Russell Group or equivalent universities; many pupils are offered places at Oxford and Cambridge annually, and a significant number move on to global top-10 universities. We support pupils who wish to study at universities in North America, some of whom secure academic and/or sporting scholarships.
Our alumni network is extremely strong and former pupils (OHs) remain very committed to their School, in no small part due to the exceptionally warm and mutually respectful relationships between staff and pupils here.
“One of the most genuinely inclusive, diverse independent schools in the London area.”
TESTIMONIALS
One of the country’s highest achieving and most generously resourced independent schools, Hampton is a happy, friendly, and caring community where outstanding, innovative teaching is complemented by exceptional pastoral care.
Nivetha Vasanthakumar
I love the School’s strong academic focus, especially the buzz and energy in the Sixth Form Further Maths classes. But what truly makes Hampton special is its diversity and the way it celebrates people from all backgrounds. On top of that, being part of such a collaborative and supportive department makes teaching here an absolute joy!
Daan Fuldner
My career progression has been really quick after starting five years ago as a newly qualified teacher. I’m now joint Head of First Year and on the cocurricular side of things, am running a football team and involved with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the Adventure Society, which involves going on loads of different trips.
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The strong focus on the boys’ happiness, alongside ‘really good teaching’, helps them achieve exceptionally well.”
Vonn Jiminez
For new teachers starting here you’re in absolutely safe hands. You’re offered a really good mentor, proper career progression and training. The boys are intellectually curious and so well-behaved - they’re kind to each other and lessons are stimulating and fun.
David Schofield
I worked in Management Consulting and Investment Banking for about 14 years and it was a great career but I wanted something more. Working with young people is just terrific. This is an amazing school and becoming a teacher at Hampton has fulfilled all my expectations.
Sarah Hendry
We are open to applications from every background whether you are just out of university or have been teaching for several years and looking for a new challenge and opportunity. Whatever your experience, you will be provided with all the support you need to thrive here at Hampton.
Amy Garnett
I love being part of the Admissions Team and supporting families as they start their Hampton journey. Every day is different, one day might be meeting prospective pupils, the next organising events or helping parents navigate our admissions process. It’s busy, exciting and great fun, and the team is incredibly supportive. Hampton actively encourages you to develop your career and I’ve learned so many new skills.
Pippa Message
We want colleagues to feel valued and anyone joining Hampton will receive a full induction programme which caters to their needs and aspirations. It’s very important to us that we enable both our support and our teaching staff to progress in the manner that they wish to.
Peter Riggs
I thoroughly enjoy working at Hampton, everyone’s so friendly and supportive and no two days are the same, which keeps things exciting! Since joining in September, I’ve really developed my skills in photography, videography, and am enjoying creating content for social media and marketing campaigns.
HAMPTON: A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK
Our School is situated in Hampton, a charming, family-friendly area of South West London, close to Bushy Park, Hampton Court Palace and the River Thames.
The nearby communities of Hampton, Hampton Hill and Teddington offer a welcoming, village-like atmosphere, with numerous independent shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as thriving sports clubs and arts associations. Just a short distance away, the riverside towns of Richmond and Twickenham, and larger towns of Kingston, Wimbledon and Guildford, provide further amenities and are easily accessible.
Central London is a 40-minute train ride away from Hampton rail station, with faster trains running to London Waterloo from Surbiton, Twickenham and Richmond. The boroughs of Richmond-upon-Thames, Kingston and Spelthorne are ideal for families, with an excellent choice of schools and other public services.
Great schools, 80 per cent GP satisfaction and the lowest crime rate in London, Richmond has it all.” “
TRAVELLING TO HAMPTON SCHOOL
Colleagues are able to travel to work from a wide radius, using convenient public transport links in this area of South West London.
Great reasons
TO WORK AT HAMPTON
Hampton’s Common Room is a notably warm, inclusive and collegial community. We recognise and value the dedication of our employees, and offer both a supportive work environment and a wide range of benefits to promote colleagues’ wellbeing, work-life balance and professional development.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Generous Annual Leave
We offer generous annual holiday leave (typically 17 weeks per year) to support a healthy work-life balance and ensure that colleagues have time to rest, relax and re-charge.
Family Friendly Policies
Our family-friendly policies include enhanced maternity and adoption pay, shared parental leave and flexible working arrangements to support colleagues’ personal and professional lives.
In-house Counselling Service
In supporting staff wellbeing and mental health, members of the Common Room have access to our on-site School Counsellors (subject to availability).
Healthcare Cash Plan
Colleagues may opt into the Medicash healthcare cash plan to enjoy a range of benefits, including medical fee reimbursements, discounted cinema tickets and online shopping discounts.
Private Health Care
Comprehensive private health insurance is available for eligible staff members.
Sports Injury Clinic
Our on-site Sports Injury Clinic, led by a Chartered Physiotherapist, offers consultations to colleagues for injury prevention and treatment.
LIFESTYLE
Adventure Society and Co-curricular Programme
There are many opportunities to get involved in wider School life, whether you enjoy golf, hiking in the Lake District/Snowdonia on a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award trip, or skiing in the Alps.
Cycle-to-Work Scheme
Embrace a healthy, eco-friendly commute by purchasing a bicycle through our Cycle-to-Work scheme.
Fitness Suite and Sports Facilities
Stay active with our on-site Fitness Suite and sports facilities (induction required), available to all members of the Common Room.
Physical Health and Wellbeing Programme
From yoga and running to team sports, our health and wellbeing programme offers something for everyone. Our Director of Sport will be happy to guide you on how to get started.
Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) Swimming Pool
Colleagues are able to access recreational swimming at the LEH pool (outside of School hours).
Convenient Transport Links
Bus, road and rail links are convenient for all School sites.
Central London is a 40-minute train ride away from Hampton station, with faster trains running to London Waterloo from Surbiton, Twickenham and Richmond. The nearby riverside towns of Richmond and Twickenham, and the larger towns of Kingston and Wimbledon have much to offer and are easily accessible.
SCHOOL OWNED ACCOMMODATION
Subject to availability, we are pleased to offer a number of subsidised staff accommodation options in several newlyrenovated properties, all within walking distance of the School. The accommodation supports a convenient work–life balance, particularly when relocating to the area.
FINANCIAL WELLBEING AND SECURITY
Death-in-Service Benefit
We offer peace of mind with an insurance policy that provides two years’ salary to nominated dependents.
Employee
Loan Policy
Access to interest-free loans, including those for season travel tickets and professional development, providing financial options should you need it, subject to eligibility.
Personal Accident Insurance
Know you’re protected with accident insurance that covers partial or permanent disability, in the duty of your work, whether on or off School premises.
Pension Planning
Both teaching and support staff are eligible to join the Aviva APTIS Defined Contribution Scheme, offering secure, flexible options to plan for your retirement.
School
Fee Reduction
Colleagues’ children are eligible, at the discretion of Governors, for fee reduction on tuition fees upon meeting our entrance assessment requirements. A reciprocal fee remission arrangement is offered to staff whose daughters attend our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Continued Professional Development
We are committed to professional growth through a comprehensive CPD programme designed to ensure pedagogical and career development.
Structured Induction Support
All those joining Hampton benefit from a tailored induction programme. For new teachers, this includes weekly information sessions during the first autumn term. Colleagues who are new to teaching are offered the opportunity to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) via the University of Buckingham’s in-post training programme.
Professional Development Sabbaticals
Sabbaticals for personal and professional enrichment are available for eligible members, subject to availability. Time spent away from working life at Hampton provides an opportunity to re-charge, explore new ideas, and bring fresh professional and personal insights back to our School community.
ON-SITE BENEFITS
Complimentary School Lunch
Colleagues enjoy freshly-prepared, complimentary School lunches. Senior School staff have access to a private Common Room dining room; at Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep, lunches are delivered directly to the School.
Library Access
Members of the Common Room have access to an extensive collection of over 19,000 books, journals, and digital resources in our Library, which provides an inspiring and welcoming space for research and relaxation.
IT Equipment and Resources
All staff are provided with technology such as a laptop and/ or iPad to support their professional roles. School-owned mobile phones are made available for trips and events.
On-Site Parking
Convenient on-site parking is available, including some spaces with electric charging points
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY
Social Events
Join us for summer and Christmas Common Room parties and enjoy discounts on tickets for the Hammond Theatre’s diverse range of performances, including as a National Theatre Live venue.
Community and Outreach
Hampton fosters a strong sense of social responsibility and colleagues are encouraged to give generously of their time and talents to support the School’s various outreach initiatives.
Emotional and Mental Health and Wellbeing
Our comprehensive wellbeing programme includes activities such as yoga, mindfulness, a choral society, book clubs and more to support your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Please Note: The benefits listed above are non-contractual benefits and are currently offered at the discretion of the Governors and may be amended, changed, or withdrawn without notice.
Hampton is a happy, friendly and caring community founded on shared values of kindness, mutual support and respect.
If you share our belief in the importance of providing an inspiring, forward-thinking and stimulating liberal education for today’s young people, we shall welcome your application to join us at Hampton. A warm, sincere and personal welcome awaits you from prospective colleagues and pupils alike.”
Kevin Knibbs MA (Oxon) Headmaster