Hampton School and St John’s School Leatherhead are two well-known independent schools in the Surrey and south-west London area. Both offer strong academic results, extensive extracurricular programmes and preparation for leading universities. However, they differ in their structure, school culture and overall educational approach.

Official school websites
https://www.hamptonschool.org.uk/
https://www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk/

Admissions and entry

Both schools are selective independent schools, meaning pupils must pass entrance assessments and interviews before being offered a place.

Hampton School is a boys-only independent day school for pupils aged 11–18 located in Hampton, south-west London. Entry usually takes place at 11+, with around 160 places available each year and several applicants competing for each place.

St John’s School Leatherhead is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 11–18. It offers both day and boarding places and admits pupils mainly at 11+ and 13+. Entry normally involves assessments, an experience day and an interview.

Academic results

Both schools achieve strong academic outcomes, although Hampton School is often ranked among the highest performing independent boys’ schools in the UK.

At Hampton School, recent A-level results show a very high proportion of grades at A* and A, reflecting its highly academic intake and rigorous teaching environment.

St John’s School Leatherhead also performs strongly academically. A large proportion of GCSE grades are typically in the 9–7 range and most A-level grades are A*–B.

Students from both schools regularly go on to Russell Group universities, with some securing places at Oxford or Cambridge.

School environment

The two schools differ in their structure and atmosphere.

Hampton School is a traditional boys’ academic school with a long history dating back to the sixteenth century. The school emphasises intellectual curiosity, academic challenge and a very wide co-curricular programme including music, drama and sport.

St John’s School Leatherhead offers a co-educational environment and has a Church of England foundation. The school aims to combine academic success with strong pastoral care and a sense of community.

Families often choose between the two depending on whether they prefer a single-sex or co-educational school environment.

Facilities and extracurricular life

Both schools offer extensive opportunities outside the classroom.

Hampton School has a large campus with sports fields, theatres, music facilities and a wide range of clubs and societies.

St John’s School Leatherhead is set in a campus of around 50 acres and provides facilities for sport, performing arts and boarding as well as a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Sport plays an important role at both schools, and pupils often compete at county or national level.

Fees

Both schools charge independent school tuition fees.

Hampton School fees are around £9,972 per term.

St John’s School Leatherhead fees vary depending on whether pupils are day students or boarders, with day-school fees generally in a similar range to other Surrey independent schools.

Location

The schools are located within a short distance of each other in south-west London and Surrey.

Hampton School is located in Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

St John’s School is located in Leatherhead in Surrey, around ten miles south of Hampton.

Overall

Hampton School and St John’s School Leatherhead are both highly respected independent schools with strong academic results and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.

Hampton School is often chosen by families seeking a highly academic boys’ school with exceptional exam results and a long tradition.

St John’s School Leatherhead appeals to families looking for a co-educational independent school with a strong community ethos and a balance between academic work, sport and pastoral care.

For many families the choice comes down to whether they prefer a single-sex academic environment or a co-educational school with a broader campus experience.