The Hamptonian November 2023

THE M AGAZINE FOR HA MPTON SCHOOL ALUMNI

HAMPTONIAN

THE

NOVEMBER 2023

Inside this issue

• Alumni News

• Alumni Events

• Feature: Sir Brian May OH (1965) • Fond Farewells

• The Power of Partnerships

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ALUMNI ENQUIRIES To contact us, please get in touch via alumni@ hamptonschool.org.uk and we will direct your enquiry to the most relevant person.

G N I P E KE H C IN TOU

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STAYING CONNECTED

FROM THE ALUMNI OFFICE

Our Hampton School Alumni LinkedIn group is the perfect way to stay in contact with Hamptonians, wherever you are in the world, share news, network and find out about alumni news and events. Simply search Hampton School Alumni.

Welcome to the latest edition of The Hamptonian – the magazine for Hampton School alumni.

Follow @Hampton_Alumni for alumni news

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Add Hampton School Alumni to your Linkedin profile

Alumni website

Visit the alumni page of the School website: www.hamptonschool.org.uk/alumni

It’s wonderful to be able to share and celebrate the achievements and activities of our alumni and school community.

Earlier in the year, the School was visited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The visit from ISI happened to fall in the same week as the ESFA Cup Final, in which once again the U18s were victorious and supported by over 600 current Hamptonians, who made the trip up to Stoke.

Even with the exciting distraction of being crowned Champions, the ISI team judged Hampton to be excellent across all areas (the highest possible recognition). Pupils were praised for making ‘an excellent contribution to the lives of others both within school and in the wider community’.

As you will read within this issue, this contribution to the lives of others extends well beyond the School gates and the current generation of Hamptonians.

In particular, you will hear about our ground-breaking partnership with Reach Academy in Feltham, which is attempting to address the imbalance in which only 20% of young people from our neighbouring towns, move on to higher education, which is less than half the national average. This pioneering model of post-16 education brings together a powerful partnership of education, business and health service providers to broaden choices for local young people and offer them transformative opportunities.

You may have seen Sir Brian May OH (1965), a founding member of Queen and astrophysicist, in the news lately, talking about his work with NASA and the OsirisRex asteroid sample team. But did you know he has a long-held passion for Stereoscopy? We’re delighted to learn more about the subject from Sir Brain and his 200,000-strong collection in our feature article on pages 14 -15.

In our Inspiring Hamptonians section, we highlight alumni whose continued commitment and passion for the School is evident in the support we receive for our careers programme. Thank you to all those that return to share their experiences and careers advice with current pupils.

We also hear from one of the trustees of the Fitzwygram Foundation, Jane Hamilton. Conscious of the cost of living crisis facing many people, the School and Foundation have ambitions

to provide more Free Places to boys whose families could not afford a Hampton education. With the support of alumni and parents past and present, 106 boys currently attend the School on a completely Free Place, a number the Foundation hopes to increase significantly.

Over the years, Hamptonians have very kindly made provision in their Will in support of this ambition. On page 24, one of those alumni, Geoffrey BourneTaylor OH (1957) talks about his decision to help fund more Free Places by leaving a legacy to Foundation.

We hope you enjoy this edition of The Hamptonian and if you have a story to share or ideas for future articles, please do get in touch.

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Alumni News

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Quartet for the End of Time Hampton School Music Department recently welcomed a music quartet, which included pianist Joel Banerjee OH (2018) and clarinettist Thomas Knollys OH (2018), to Hampton to perform Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.

The eight-movement piece of chamber music was written by the French composer under the extreme conditions of a prisoner of war camp during World War II.

Ollie Stanhope MBE OH (2016)

What a year it has been for Great Britain’s PR3 Mixed Coxed Four and Ollie Stanhope OH (2016).

In this boat class, Great Britain is undefeated since 2010, winning every race they competed in in 2022.

They also set a new World Best Time at the 2022 World Rowing Championships and were awarded World Rowing Para Crew of the Year at the 2022 World Rowing Awards.

Alumni Football Friendly At the beginning of January, we were delighted to welcome back Hamptonian footballers from the Class of 2022 and 2021, who played a friendly with the School’s First XI team.

Ollie also took Gold in the PR3 Men’s Pair well done Ollie!

Duke of Edinburgh

Gold Awards

A record number of Hamptonians attended Buckingham Palace this year in recognition of achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Hosted by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, 29 current and former pupils were honoured for completing the challenging programme. This is the largest annual cohort of Hampton DofE Gold winners to be recognised since the scheme launched in the 1950s and included alumni dating back to 2018, and three current Upper Sixth pupils.

Many congratulations to all Hamptonians who achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

NEWLY FORMED LIONS BOAT CLUB

The newly formed Lions Boat Club, recently set up to enable our rowing alumni community to continue to engage with each other and take a boat out or compete together, had its first test at the Eton Old Blades Regatta.

A scratch eight consisting of alumni from 2015- 2021 arrived to a calm, flat and sunny Eton Dorney to face the best Eton and BASHER schools could offer.

Race one was a 750-metre slog against a Shiplake and Cantabrigian composite crew, which the OH crew won by half a length. The Lions crew entered the next race, a 500-metre, with some leaden legs.

Despite this, the Lions found themselves down only by half a length on the magically refreshed Eton crew (who had been easily dispatched by a length the race before) and a third of a length behind the restocked Shiplake composite.

Hampton moved through the field, pushing Shiplake to half a seat before running out of water, conceding a third place.

The final piece, a 250-metre sprint started with furore,

with the Lions holding on to the Shiplake crew throughout the first 200 metres, until a call from Charlie Marcus OH (2018) to sprint resulted in some disconnection within the rhythm. The Lions crew ended in third again, finishing third overall, having enjoyed some excellent six lane racing, which many had not experienced since Marlow and National Schools, many years ago.

If you interested in joining the OH Boat Club or finding out more, email lionsboatclub@ gmail.com.

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Cartoonist marks Coronation Lunch

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Hampton pupils and staff celebrated the coronation of King Charles III with a Coronation Lunch fit for a king! Cartoonist David Lewis OH (1986) returned to School to help celebrate the occasion by creating a memorable cartoon of the day’s events.

Tom R andall OH (2020)

Many congratulations to Tom Randall OH (2020), part of Cambridge University’s Football team at this year’s Varsity match.

Shaun Joash OH (2019) Harry Fieldhouse

Grand Canyon senior forward Shaun Joash added an award to his prolific collegiate resume when he was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region second team. Many congratulations Shaun!

OH (2018)

Many congratulations to Harry Fieldhouse OH (2018) who rowed bow seat for Cambridge at this year’s Lightweight Boat Race, beating Oxford by 11 lengths.

Luke Michels OH (2022)

It’s all Hockey for Tony!

Many congratulations to Tony Gibbs OH (1965) on his Gold medal at the Australian Champion Masters Hockey (over 75s) with team Victoria, held in October.

Long-time friends Barney and Luke wanted to take on a challenge to raise money for The Max Windle Memorial Trust, a mental health charity who provide support to young adults. As rugby lovers, they cycled around the Five Nations rugby stadiums – covering 1400 miles in just two weeks across France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England, raising over £13,000 along the way. They started their ride at the Stade du France on the 20 July and finished at Twickenham exactly two weeks later on the 4 August, cycling through all weathers and terrain. Some of the rugby governing bodies kindly welcomed Luke and Barney to the stadiums, with the RFU covering their story in a news article. Well done to you both!

Rollo Orme OH (2020) Congratulations to Rollo, Vice President of OULRC, who coxed the Oxford boat in this year’s Lightweight Boat Race.

Image x 1

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Alumni Events AN EVENING WITH THE LYNAGHS We were delighted to welcome alumnus and Harlequins winger Louis Lynagh OH (2019), and his father, Wallaby legend and current parent Michael Lynagh, back to Hampton for our latest Talk! event.

The two rugby greats were hosted by The Times Deputy Rugby Correspondent, Will Kelleher OH (2010).

WALTER BAILEY AND ALEX GREEN MEMORIAL FOOTBALL MATCHES

Talking all things rugby from school trophies to the World Cup and everything in between, a good time was had by all.

On a wet and windy Saturday in March, we were delighted to see such a great turnout for the annual Walter Bailey and Alex Green memorial football matches.

All proceeds from ticket sales and refreshments on the night went to our dedicated charity, the Fitzwygram Foundation, set up to provide more Free Places at Hampton. Thank you to all those who attended and helped us raise over £2500!

Held in memory of Alex Green OH (2014) and former teacher and referee, Walter Bailey, Hampton First XI took

on the Old Hamptonians First XI for the Walter Bailey Cup and the Second teams played for the Alex Green Cup. Always played in good spirits, the School won both matches with the First team winning 4-1 and the Second team

winning on penalties after a 9-9 draw!

Thank you to all those who braved the unsettled weather to take part and support.

CELEBRATING OUR

CLASS OF 2023!

In May, we said a fond farewell to our Class of 2023, at this year’s Leavers’ Reception. Many memories were shared, as the boys reminisced about their time at the School.

Thank you for all you have contributed to Hampton life. We wish you the very best of luck in the next chapter of your lives and are delighted to welcome you to our alumni community.

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BOWLED OVER AT THE ALUMNI SUMMER LUNCHEON

HAMPTONIANS AT HENLEY

We were delighted to see so many Hamptonians join us for the annual alumni lunch at Henley Royal Regatta 2023.

It was wonderful to see Mike Hart OH (1970) celebrate the 50th anniversary of winning the 1973 Double Sculls Challenge Cup and Ed Bellamy OH (1989) and the 1988 Hampton

VII celebrate the 35th anniversary of securing the ‘Triple’ (School’s Head of the River, National Schools’ Championship and the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, Henley).

Thank you to all those who joined us and many congratulations to Mike and Ed!

The sun shone on returning Hamptonians from 1947-1974 and their guests, at the recent Alumni Summer Luncheon, which took place on the same day as the School vs the Old Hamptonians’ cricket match.

Alumni enjoyed lunch, followed by an afternoon of watching cricket, with the School beating the OHA by nine wickets.

LEAVERS’ REUNIONS Over the last year we have hosted reunions for the Class of 1981, 1983, 1998, 2012 and 2013.

As well as a tour of the School, the gatherings are an opportunity for year groups to come together, share memories of their time at the School and rekindle friendships.

If you’d like to organise a reunion, we’re happy to help, so do please contact us at alumni@ hamptonschool.org.uk to discuss further.

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INSPIRING HAMPTONIANS

FOND FAREWELLS

CAREERS WEEK

Among members of the Common Room who moved on from Hampton this year, we said goodbye to five members of staff who between them have chalked up over 130 years of outstanding service to the School.

Current Hamptonians were wowed with the passion, knowledge and expertise of the alumni volunteers who came back virtually to talk all things careers, during this year’s Careers Week.

Taking place over four evenings, the event allowed current pupils to hear from and ask questions of alumni from a whole host of different areas. Panel sessions were held on careers in Science, Medicine, Media, Communications and Public Affairs, Computer Science and Finance.

Many thanks go to the following alumni who volunteered their time and expertise to support the Week:

John Allden OH (2015), Ben Hansford OH (2015), Henry Golding OH (1999), Athi Dharmaratnam OH (2016), Luke Minors OH (2008), Dr Charlie Vickers OH (2006), Dr Ed Mitchell OH (1991), Sam Benstead OH (2011), Ollie Samuels OH (2013), Simon Nayyar MBE OH (1985), Andrew Caesar-Gordon OH (1986), Anil Sharma OH (2001) and Timothy Alexander OH (2012).

A PE and History teacher, and founder of the popular Adventure Society, David Clarke also oversaw a thriving Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme during his 39 years as a Hampton teacher.

Alasdair McBay dedicated over 25 years to Hampton School. Alongside his contributions to the Maths department and his invaluable role on the Senior Leadership team, Alasdair oversaw a flourishing Hampton Chess programme and in a fitting end to his time at the School, saw the Hampton Chess team crowned 2023 National Schools’ Chess Champions.

ODGEN TRUST STEM EVENT In March, 120 Year 10 pupils from seven partner schools across the local area attended an Odgen Trust STEM Careers Day at the School.

We were delighted to welcome Adrian Ede OH (1977), retired Project Manager and Chartered Engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry, Andrew McHutchon OH (2005), Senior Data Scientist at McLaren Racing and Dr Ian White OH

(1991), current parent working at the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology at UCL, who offered Hamptonians and partner school pupils fascinating insight into their careers. Thank you to all those involved for giving up your time and expertise to support the event.

Hamptonians are renowned for supporting those around them – if you would like to support our careers programme, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us on alumni@hamptonschool.org.uk.

Cleaning Supervisor Mrs Jean Diggens retired after 29 years of service to the School. Hampton has looked its very best every day under her care and attention.

Elizabeth Hutchinson (UCAS Administrator) and SIMS Administrator, Anne Ghaney, have been integral members of our Support Staff helping to ensure the smooth running of the School for 24 and 22 years respectively.

We wish the very best to all Hampton colleagues who have moved on to chapters new and thank them for their invaluable contribution to the School.

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stereoscope viewer, known at the OWL. He has even combined his two passions of astrophysics and stereoscopy to help scientists build up images of our solar system.

“A stereoscopic picture is 100 times more evocative than a flat picture” enthuses Sir Brian. “When you look with your stereo viewer, it’s as if you’re seeing through the eyes of the person who took the picture.”

“My astro stereo partner, Claudia Manzoni, and I have been working with NASA and the European Space Agency.

We are using Victorian stereoscopy in the 21st century, which shows how relevant it is.”

Sir Brian’s interest started as a young boy with giveaway cards inside boxes of Weetabix and the chance to send off for a plastic 3D viewer, price one-and-sixpence.

It resulted in a lifelong fascination with stereoscopy.

“I was only about twelve years old”, he recalls.

“There was a little card in the Weetabix box featuring two hippos in the water. It was a free gift, but you had to send away some money to get the viewer. Once that arrived and I saw the image through the lens, I was blown away.

LIFE IN STEREO WITH SIR BRIAN MAY OH (1965) Sir Brian May OH (1965) was awarded a Knighthood for services to music and charity in His Majesty King Charles III’s 2023 New Year Honours List.

A founding member of Queen, Sir Brian is a global rock legend, who has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, both with Queen and as a solo artist.

He was named ‘Greatest Guitarist of All Time’ by Total Guitar Magazine Sir Brian is also an astrophysicist and was awarded a PhD by London’s Imperial College in 2007. In addition,

he is widely renowned for his work as an animal welfare campaigner and co-founded the Save Me animal welfare organisation. Perhaps a lesserknown fact about the music icon is that Sir Brian is among the foremost collectors of images created by means of stereoscopy, the Victorian technique that brought about the birth of 3D.

Stereoscopy, sometimes called stereoscopic imaging, is a technique that uses the illusion of depth to create a single 3D image from two flat perspectives when viewed by each eye separately.

“I also started taking my own images with a little instant camera I bought in Woolworths. I would take a picture, move a few inches, take another picture and then those images would go into the viewer. It was quite incredible to me.”

As a student at Imperial College, walking past the Christie’s auction house on his way to lectures, the young May often saw boxes of stereoscopes for sale.

His interest already sparked, he would frequently visit the auction house just for the chance to handle and view them.

Musical success brought the funds that enabled him to fully embrace his hobby and he currently has a 600-strong collection of stereoscopes.

Among the photographs in his collection are two little known stereocopic portraits of Charles Dickens. One was taken moments before the author began reading extracts from his Christmas Stories to an audience in 1858, and another is of the author writing at his desk.

In 2019, Sir Brian set up a charitable organisation called the Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy, with the aim of preserving his unique collection as well as making it accessible to the public.

“This is a gift to the nation” he says, “It will be a national archive long after I’ve passed away. It’s like starting a museum so that future generations can enjoy this incredible material.”

With that vision in mind, the Watts Gallery in Surrey, is holding an exhibition of photographs from the archive, where you can get close-up to over 150 historic stereoscopic pictures.

Running until February of next year, the interactive exhibition, Victorian Virtual Reality – co-curated by Emilly Burns and Tegan Rush, from Watts Gallery, and by Rebecca Sharpe and Denis Pellerin, from the Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy – explores the collection in all its variety, from celebrity portraits to snapshots of Victorian life and travel.

Aside from the exhibition, Sir Brian has published a number of books on the subject and patented his own

Sir Brian’s ambition is to get an OWL viewer into every home. More than anything though, he wants people to go along to the exhibition and enjoy it.

“I want them to feel just as the Victorians would have felt,” he enthuses. “It’s like seeing actual magic.”

Victorian Virtual Reality: Photographs from the Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy runs at the Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Compton until Saturday 25 February 2024. Visit: wattsgallery. org.uk for further information.

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THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS FELTHAM COLLEGE SIXTH FORM Hampton School has a proud history of working with the wider community and after a six-year collaboration with Reach Academy Feltham and Lady Eleanor Holles School, the pioneering Feltham College Sixth Form opened in September 2022.

Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has praised the innovative model of post-16 education as: “an excellent example of what can be achieved when the state and independent education sectors come together. All educationalists are united in their passion to help young people thrive and succeed and this is the very essence of what Feltham College is all about - uniting resources and expertise to support young people who deserve every opportunity to fulfil their hopes and ambitions.”

The college’s founding partners started working together to help local, young people realise their full potential and help transform the lives of young people living in one of the most deprived areas of the UK, where only 20% of young people move on to higher education.

This is in stark contrast to neighbouring wards, where the figure is over 80%.

Feltham College is a distinctive and forward-thinking Sixth Form model.

What makes it stand apart from other cross-sector initiatives, is the ongoing daily collaboration throughout the academic year. The exposure to subject experts for the students, the collaboration of brilliant minds across the three schools and the broader academic and extra-curricular opportunities now available to the children of Feltham is unique. Young people in Feltham see and feel the effort and energy of Feltham College and know that they are worthy of investment and deserving of success. Every single young person is supported to go onto

university or a high tariff apprenticeship of their choice. The foundation partners hope Feltham College’s innovative approach will provide a helpful blueprint for those in other areas of the UK seeking to boost post-16 provision.

Without doubt, the partnership initiative that Reach Academy, Feltham, LEH and Hampton have nurtured over the past six years is making a true difference to the lives of young people in the Feltham area, and Feltham College Sixth Form will continue to see more and more children move on to lives of choice and opportunity.

Only a year old, the College has already established a reputation for excellence - admission registrations have doubled on last year and 98% of parents say they would recommend the school. In addition, 70% of A Level grades last year were A*-B, compared to a local average of 59%. The average grade for vocational courses was a Distinction*, the highest mark achievable. 94% of A Level students secured their first or second choice of university.

Alongside the Foundation Partners, there is also investment from leading healthcare and business providers: Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust is involved in supporting the Health and Social Care Course; East London Arts and Music School supports some creative courses; and London restaurateur and celebrity chef Jacob Kenedy, supports catering courses.

In addition, an Early Years Foundation Degree is available in partnership with Kingston University.

Kevin Knibbs, Headmaster, Hampton School adds:

“Feltham College is offering transformative opportunities to the young people in the Feltham area, helping them to realise their academic and all-round potential.”

Success though, is not just measured in results, outcomes and numbers of children staying in school post-16 in the local area, but also in terms of the way local young people are beginning to see themselves with more selfbelief and self-confidence to succeed. The is a partnership and industry partners are focused on a shared vision and values, and committed to ensuring that every single young person at the college gets the best chances possible to succeed.

Rebecca Cramer, CEO of the Reach Trust says:

“The long-standing, successful partnership with Hampton and Lady Eleanor Holles has already benefited many of our pupils helping all of our recent cohort secure places on university courses and apprenticeships of their choice. Coming together to establish Feltham College has enabled our partnership to grow and flourish.”

SOMO AWARD

Hampton School was delighted to receive a 2023 SOMO award, in recognition of its commitment to improving social mobility, for its extensive range of partnership activities and commitment to providing free places.

The national Social Mobility Awards celebrate UK companies leading the way in advancing social mobility.

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WISDOM BEFORE WEALTH

By Jane Hamilton – Fitzwygram Foundation Trustee

The Hampton motto ‘Wisdom Before Wealth’ is an honourable one.

But what if you don’t have the wisdom – or rather the knowledge – to access a Hampton education, let alone the wealth?

Twenty-five years on and I have dedicated my career as a journalist to widening access and opportunities for other working-class children. I advise a number of companies and charities and have two weekly columns in The Sun and The Times promoting fair career opportunities for all young people.

But when it came to educating my own son, my old fears resurfaced.

Despite his state school headmistress recommending Hampton as ‘your son personified in a School’, I was terrified we wouldn’t fit in. Would everyone be posh? Would they be driving Rolls Royces and Bentleys? What if my Essex accent shows me up?

Currently, only seven per cent of children in the UK attend independent schools. For many of the remaining 93 per cent, a private education is seen as unaffordable, unattainable and simply too far removed from everyday reality to imagine it could apply to you or your children.

Growing up in a working-class family in Essex, private schools conjured up images of top-hatted Eton toffs. I’d never met a single person who’d been independently educated and imagined it to be a rarefied realm that I’d never encounter. Bursaries and scholarships were words I’d yet to learn and I had no clue that private schools ran schemes to support underprivileged pupils.

But after becoming the first in my family to attend University, my entrenched views began to change. I read Social and Political Science at Cambridge and rubbing shoulders with those Etonians and yes Hamptonians – revealed all the possibilities that private schools offer.

Of course, within moments of stepping through the gates, I realised that Hampton embraces families from all backgrounds. But if I - as a successful Oxbridge-educated writer - felt that fear, then what does a new immigrant family or a struggling single parent on benefits feel when faced with the chance for their son to attend Hampton?

I see the Foundation’s role as providing this crucial ‘Wisdom’ for potential families who would otherwise feel Hampton is beyond their reach. The Foundation is not simply ‘opening the door of opportunity’ but ‘holding the hands of new families, ushering them through that door and embracing them into the Hampton fold’.

The truism ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ undoubtedly puts off many people from even dreaming of applying, let alone filling out the admissions form.

Through longstanding partnerships with local schools and activities such as the Lion Learning Saturday Schools, Hampton identifies local boys who may benefit from a Fitzwygram Scholarship.

The Foundation then actively partners with these boys’ families, bring the wisdom of ‘showing not telling’ to provide superb and far-reaching support. It’s not a simple bursary scheme but offers ongoing pastoral care for boys and their families alongside covering the costs of all the extras from uniforms and shoes to bus fares, music lessons and even translators if needed.

And this is what the Fitzwygram Foundation is here to change. Hampton was founded in 1557 to support the education of local underprivileged children and the need for this is as strong today as it was almost 500 years ago.

While I faced serious social struggles to fit in, I admired the confidence, oration and networking skills innate to former independent students. My time at Uni also opened my mind to what a ‘good education’ could look like and set me on a lifelong path as a social mobility campaigner.

To prepare for the Hampton Open Day where prospective parents look around the School, I bought a new ‘private school mum’ outfit which I hoped would make me blend in, then hid our battered old car on Nightingale Road as I didn’t want to be judged.

But to make this happen we need both Wisdom and Wealth.

I know from my own lived experience that it’s not enough to be told ‘you can apply’. To effect real change, you need to be shown ‘this place is for you, you’ll fit in and you have what it takes’.

The result? Truly transformative opportunities which change the life of each Fitzwygram Scholar and their wider family.

I have been supporting the Foundation’s work since 2018 when my son joined the school – and for me the fact that Hampton even had a dedicated social mobility charity is proof of how special the School is.

The work of the School, alongside our supporters and Trustees, mean we now have plenty of the Wisdom to make the Scholarships work – but we still need more Wealth to ensure the Foundation reaches its true potential.

Supporting a scholar for a year costs around £25,000 while an in-perpetuity scholarship can be funded for over £500,000. The Foundation’s aim is to have ten per cent of boys on fully free places by 2025.

Every donation – however small ensures more boys have a transformative Hampton education.

So if Hampton helped changed your life for the better, please consider keeping up the School’s proud tradition and use some of your wealth to build wisdom for our future generations.

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HAMPTON’S RECORDBREAKING FOOTBALL CLUB OWNERS: FOUR YEARS ON Hampton Sports Chronicle Co-Editor, Josh, recently caught up with Calogero Scannella OH (2018), one of the owners of successful club, Walton and Hersham Football Club.

Learn more about the club’s journey, in this edited version of Josh’s article (written in April 2023).

Football is a sport that captivates the hearts of millions around the world and has the power to unite and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.

For Calogero and six of his year group (Stephen Karidis, Jack Newton, Thomas Bradbury, Sartej Tucker, Ben Madelin and Reme Edetanlen, who is no longer involved), their passion for the game has led them down a path that they never expected. Just four years ago, the young entrepreneurs had finished their time at Hampton, and decided to purchase struggling 10th tier side, Walton and Hersham FC. In spite of some unexpected and unprecedented obstacles, the club currently stands first

in the league and look to show no signs of slowing down in their pursuit of three consecutive promotions.

Whilst you could be forgiven for succumbing to the extraordinary pressure of running a club, Scannella and his co-owners have not. Since their ownership, the club has boosted an average match day attendance from 40 to 400 people, hosted 1100 fans in an FA Cup qualifying match and gained backto-back promotions in their 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns. Their success becomes even more astounding when they entered the role as the youngest football club owners in the world.

Fellow Hamptonian Sartej, came up with the idea of a match-day vlog and three years on, matchday vlogs are uploaded after every game, with their TikTok account boasting over one million followers.

Looking to bring exposure and create a brand for the side, Scannella explained that “it becomes a more appealing club for people to look at; an exciting project”. They are also looking to develop their merchandise and “have a lot of things in the pipeline to move and use the platform that (they’ve) built”.

Scannella iterated the importance of “growing the football club and growing the community, just as much as winning football matches” as an objective, which

The side’s success can, of course, not be attributed to a sole cause.

“Everyone is willing to go above and beyond to keep it rolling” Scannella remarked. “You will never know if something works unless you try it”.

One of the club’s most distinguishing and well-renowned features is undoubtedly their social media presence. The journey began in early 2020, when a Hampton parent asked to attend a game and film a 90-minute documentary, which was well received.

The owners decided during lockdown to post small clips of the footage, the few of which received over 950K views.

has certainly been fulfilled so far. Supporting “long term sustainability” are equally crucial, according to the 23-year-old.

Looking ahead to the future, Calogero and his co-owners show no lack of enthusiasm and optimism regarding their continued involvement in the club. He spoke of the team’s aspiration to reach the National South Division within five years, at which point they “will reach (their) first ceiling of competing with full time clubs”.

Asked about his favourite part of the job, Scannella responded

“Everything. Nonleague football is so much more engaging

for people, so much better in terms of the overall experience. Not only can you speak to the players, the players to the fans and idea of community is there; it’s also the fact that we keep building it that’s even better.”

Their story serves as a reminder that anything is possible if you take initiative and are willing to put in the effort. With their innovative approach and fresh perspective, Hamptonians have breathed new life into a football club, revitalizing the local community and inspiring a new generation of fans.

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School News Hampton has been judged to be excellent (the highest possible recognition) across all categories in the School’s latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report.

Inspectors found that Hamptonians’ achievements are exceptional across academic and co-curricular areas of School life. The ISI team also commented that Hampton

pupils’ outstanding analytical and thinking skills’ lead to academic achievements far and above national and worldwide averages’.

2023 CHESS CHAMPIONS

The Hampton Chess Team who have been crowned 2023 National Chess Champions.

The team of six spans the year groups and includes: Jai Kothari (First Year); Alex Lapidus (Second Year); Anirudh Shidlagatta (Third Year); Rajat Makkar; (Fifth Year); Naavya Sharma (L6) and Henry Shard (U6).

Hampton was one of 26 teams to reach the final of the English Chess Federation’s National Schools’ Championships, which was held at Nottingham University.

After two days of matches and over 12 hours of chess, the Hamptonians were crowned overall winners. Many congratulations to the team!

HITTING THE TARGET ON MORE FREE PLACES AT HAMPTON

As part of the School’s celebrations marking the coronation of King Charles III, Hamptonians took to the 3G pitch and were challenged to hit crown targets and score as many goals as they could during the lunch break. The HSPA generously donated £5 for each crown target hit and £1 for each goal, with all money raised going to the Fitzwygram Foundation, funding more Free Places at Hampton.

Despite the drizzle, the boys rose to the challenge and scored 1419 goals and hit the crown targets 33 times, raising £1,584.

Thank you to those that took part and the HSPA for their wonderful support!

U18 ESFA CHAMPIONS 2023 Hampton’s First XI have been crowned U18 English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) Champions for the second time in four years, following a stunning victory against Shrewsbury School in the National Cup Final.

Congratulations to Hampton’s First XI on the perfect end to a superb season across all competitions. The final was a wonderful whole-School occasion, with unwavering support from the Hampton fans both at Stoke City and back at School.

SPONSORED ROW 2023 Pupils and parents from the Hampton and Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Clubs have raised over £80,000 (including gift aid) after completing a remarkable 80-mile sponsored row on the River Thames to raise funds for local charity Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Four Hampton Eights, three LEH Eights, a mixed Quad, and two parent Eights tackled 80 miles and 28 locks as they covered the distance from Radley College Boat Club to Hampton. The oarsmen and women aged from 15 to over 50, overcame blistered hands, aching muscles and every weather condition from soaring temperatures to torrential downpours, to complete the row.

A LEVEL AND GCSE RESULTS

There were joyful scenes in the Cloisters for Hamptonians and their families as they gathered to celebrate our Class of 2023’s very impressive A Level results. Around half the year group – 90 pupils – recorded a clean sweep of the top grades (A or A*) and 90% of results were at A*, A or B. In a year that saw the widely-publicised return to 2019 grading standards, Hamptonians excelled and surpassed pre-pandemic GCSE results at the School. 75% of all grades were 9-8 (formerly A*), with 921 grade 9s awarded, making this the most common grade received by Hamptonians.

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SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE! Geoffrey Bourne Taylor OH (1957)

ALUMNI REMEMBERED We commemorate and pay tribute to the lives of alumni, staff and friends of Hampton School who are no longer with us. If you would like to submit an obituary, please contact us at alumni@hamptonschool.org.uk.

My heart swelled as I read in the July 2022 alumni newsletter about the School’s response to the displaced Ukrainian refugees that were to be given places at Hampton.

I thought: ‘What a privilege it is to be an OH!’ And how wonderful that over all those hundreds of years since Hammond founded that ‘howse with seates in yt for Children to be towght in’ that our school has not lost sight of those philanthropic sentiments. I am truly proud that Hampton has, as always, stepped up to the mark. And that is what surely sets our School apart from many others. Of course, those that see ‘private education’ as divisive in a world where there is so much inequality have a point. Cynics have highlighted other independent schools that have suddenly found their moral compass (and justified their tax status….), ploughing funds into educating the less fortunate. But Hampton is amongst very few schools that have been doing that from the start.

After the second World War, as a voluntary aided grammar school, Hampton gave me and so many of my contemporaries an education that brought us that coveted privilege called ‘social mobility’, able to hold our own with the best of them; our lists of distinguished alumni across all walks of life speak volumes. I take great pride in the fact that I entered Hampton simply on merit – surely the purest of credentials! In my case, that decent education led to senior office in the police service, followed by nearly 20 years holding my own amongst the great minds of an Oxford Senior Common Room; this, despite having left Hampton at 16 to get a job that would contribute to family finances. That is what I call social mobility! Would you believe that the present Headmaster was an undergraduate at the College under my care – I must have got something right!

Readers will have seen the plentiful achievements that have illustrated the wisdom of our Fitzwygram Foundation (at the inception of which I had the privilege of involvement), which has enabled so many recipients to enjoy life-changing experiences through a Hampton education entirely free and entirely on merit (just as we ‘grammarians’ did). I think the scheme has shown its worth and certainly, support from generous donors has underlined the enthusiasm the Foundation has fostered. As I look back on my experience in Oxford, the next consolidating step is surely to encourage the Foundation’s fan base to consider the building of a secure capital sum for the future; I know that one way to achieve this is to encourage alumni and others to consider leaving a little something to the School, when they write their Wills.

The Foundation and the School are, at this very moment preparing such a campaign. For the reasons I have already given above, I have signed up to this - of course I have! We grammar school boys are (unfortunately) now reaching that age!

Now, to get to the point of this article: I want to address, directly, those beneficiaries, who, like me, have more to be thankful for than just our own wits. We

BRIAN TURNER OH (1961)

Brian sadly passed away in February, aged 79.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his family and the many people who know him.

have that Hampton education to thank for our modest successes in life – possibly even our fame! Even a small percentage of your estate, added to others, will provide those opportunities that we (possibly, at the time) took for granted. And, to those famous ones (you know who you are….as well as we do!), I suggest you might think of ‘naming’ a Fitzwygram Scholarship: it’s a pretty neat way of being immortalised!

Geoffrey Bourne-Taylor (1952-1957)

PAT GUBBINS OH (1942)

We were sad to learn of the passing of Pat. A gentleman who played cricket for the Old Hamptonians’ Cricket Club in the spirit that created it. Pat stayed involved long after he hung up his spikes and remained an avid boundary spectator.

JACK WELLS OH (1946) We are sad to announce the passing of Jack Wells OH (1946).

Jack was a stalwart of the Old Hamptonians’ Association for many years, fulfilling a number of roles including Chairman in 1975-1976.

Captain of our Third XI Cricket Team between 1966-1975, Jack was instrumental in giving Hamptonians the opportunity to exhibit their cricketing talents, many of whom went on in future years to form the bedrock for an era of unparalleled success for the Club.

In his later years, Jack was a regular attendee in support of the team at the annual Over 50’s cricket match in Dorking. It was always a pleasure to meet up with Jack and his wife, Cynthia at the match, the last time being 2019.

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OLD HAMPTONIAN’S ASSOCIATION

OLD HAMPTONIANS’ CRICKET CLUB The Old Hamptonians’ Cricket Club (OHCC) has had another extremely successful season across all teams, gaining promotion for the First and Second XI and delivering a cup competition victory.

29 wickets, the second highest in the league. At the end of a title winning season, pastures new await the OHCC Second XI in Division 1 next year, where they will be going toe-to-toe with some of the largest cricketing clubs in Surrey.

This is, without a doubt, a challenge the club will relish.

Old Hamptonians First XI won the Surrey Division Two title the final weekend of the season with a victory at home to Stoke D’Abernon Cricket Club. A 106-run opening stand between Toby Godfray OH (2016) and Tim Walker OH (2010) helped the First XI to an eight-wicket victory, securing promotion to Division 1 next year – a first in the club’s history. The success of the campaign has been aided in huge part by old boys including Max Vyvyvan OH (2017), Jamie Morley OH (2015) and Rob Bentley OH (2015), who have contributed with both the bat and ball.

This is an incredibly special feat that has been years in the making.

One indication of how far the OHCC has come in recent times is the accomplishments of its Second XI. This year, the OHCC Second XI made history by going the entire season unbeaten, winning the league title in game week 15, and amassing the most points of any side in the entire Surrey Championship. There are too many individual outstanding performances to list, however, it is not often we are able to congratulate three separate centurions in one year: Ben Chippendale (138 vs Sanderstead), Ollie George OH (2017) (104 vs Epsom, OH 2017) and Jack Rosser (100 vs Ewell). In the bowling department, Elliott Morley’s OH (2013) hat-trick vs fellow promotees Beddington must be mentioned. So too should Max Bailey’s OH (2021)

The Old Hamptonians secured back to back titles in The Cricketers Trophy, a national alumni cup competition, defeating Old Roffensians in the Final by six wickets.

Man of the Match was awarded to Chris Searle OH (2017) after his fiery opening spell, with

other notable performances from Guy Harper OH (2014), Tim Walker OH (2010) and Richard Brown OH (2005).

Winning this tournament back-to-back is no mean feat and is a testament to the recruitment from our alumni network over the past few seasons.

OLD HAMPTONIANS’ FOOTBALL CLUB

OLD HAMPTONIANS’ RUGBY CLUB

OLD HAMPTONIANS GOLF CLUB

The football league season kicked off at the beginning of September, with two teams competing in the Amateur Football Combination.

The 2022/2023 season was a special one for the OHRFC, winning a league title for the first time since the 1994/1995 season.

The First XI compete in the Senior 1 South, after finishing fifth in a highly competitive league. The Second XI compete in Division 2 South after suffering relegation, but availability looks good and they will be looking to bounce back straight away.

The team entered Counties 4 with confidence and hope to continue their post-pandemic recovery, continuing up the leagues.

Brian Collison OH (1970) sadly passed away in April and in his memory, the club will host an annual golf day, which will be held on 20 October, Brian’s birthday. He loved playing golf with friends, was a member at three clubs and was Centenary Captain at Bramley Golf Club, a club that has a special place in his heart.

The teams have enjoyed a strong preseason and are looking strong going into the hunt for promotion.

George Gregory OH (2017) has taken on the role as Chairman, so please get in contact with him at 07500 967004, or George.gregory1@aol.com if you would like to play.

This year’s Chris Mapletoft Festival of Rugby held at Hampton, was a very special occasion. Now in its tenth year, the festival is held in celebration of the life of Chris Mapletoft OH (2013). Over 75 former Hamptonian rugby players gathered to play a touch tournament (won by the 2019 Leavers team), before the ‘Mapletoft XV’, a team of leavers from 2013-2020, took on the ‘Recent Leavers XV’, comprising of alumni from 2021-2023. After another hard-fought match, the Recent Leavers team took the trophy with a 45-33 win.

The inaugural event was hosted at Bramley Golf Club, where players had brunch followed by a Texas Scramble.

The day supported one of Brian’s favourite charities, the On Course Foundation.

If you’re interested in joining the club, please contact Bob Hudson (bobhudson@hotmail.com) or Ray Rastall (ray.rastall@fosterdenovo.com).

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2023 LEAVERS’ DEPOSIT CAMPAIGN Every year the School invites parents of our leaving year to participate in the Leavers’ Deposit Campaign. It is an opportunity for the year group to signal their collective support for the School and for those Hamptonians who will follow in their footsteps.

alumni@hamptonschool.org.uk • 020 8979 5526

This year the campaign raised over £35,000 for the Fitzwygram Foundation, helping to fund more Free Places at the School. Thank you to all those who generously donated all or part of their deposit.