Hampton School and Tiffin School are two very well-regarded schools in south-west London. Both have strong academic reputations and send many pupils to top universities each year. However, the two schools operate quite differently, particularly when it comes to admissions, funding and the overall structure of the school.

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

Admissions and entry

One of the biggest differences between the two schools is how pupils are admitted.

Hampton School is an independent boys’ day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. Entry is usually through the 11+ examination, although there are also opportunities to join at later stages such as sixth form. As an independent school, families pay tuition fees and pupils are selected through entrance tests, interviews and references from their current school.

Tiffin School is a state grammar school for boys. Entry to Year 7 is determined through a highly competitive 11+ entrance examination. Because the school is state funded there are no tuition fees, but places are extremely competitive and many pupils prepare for the exam well in advance.

Academic results

Both Hampton School and Tiffin School achieve excellent academic results.

Hampton School regularly produces very strong GCSE and A-level results. A large proportion of pupils achieve top grades and many go on to study at leading universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

Tiffin School is widely known as one of the strongest academic state schools in the country. Its GCSE and A-level results are consistently high and the school often appears near the top of league tables for state schools.

School environment

The atmosphere of the two schools reflects their different traditions.

Hampton School is a traditional independent boys’ school with a strong emphasis on academic achievement combined with a wide co-curricular programme. Sport, music, drama and societies play a major role in school life, and the school encourages pupils to develop interests beyond the classroom.

Tiffin School has the feel of a traditional grammar school with a strong academic focus. Pupils are generally very motivated and the school places significant emphasis on intellectual challenge and academic success.

Facilities and extracurricular life

Both schools offer a wide range of activities outside the classroom.

Hampton School has extensive facilities including sports fields, performance spaces and modern teaching buildings. The school is particularly well known for its sporting opportunities and large range of clubs and societies.

Tiffin School also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as music, sport, debating and academic clubs. However, as a state school it operates within public funding limits and its facilities are generally more modest than those of independent schools.

Cost

Cost is one of the clearest differences between the two schools.

Hampton School charges significant tuition fees each term, which support its facilities, staffing and extracurricular programme.

Tiffin School is free to attend because it is part of the state education system.

Co-education

Both schools are primarily boys’ schools, although there is a difference in the sixth form.

Hampton School is a boys’ school throughout.

Tiffin School teaches boys from Years 7 to 11 but its sixth form is co-educational, allowing girls to join for A-level study.

Location

The schools are located fairly close to each other in south-west London.

Hampton School is located in Hampton near the River Thames and close to Hampton Court Palace.

Tiffin School is located in Kingston upon Thames, a short distance away, making it easily accessible from many parts of Surrey and south-west London.

Overall

Hampton School and Tiffin School both offer excellent educational opportunities but they represent two different models of schooling.

Hampton School provides the advantages of an independent education, including extensive facilities, a broad co-curricular programme and smaller class sizes, although families must pay school fees.

Tiffin School offers an academically outstanding state education without tuition fees, but entry is highly competitive through the 11+ examination.

For many families the choice comes down to whether they prefer the independent school environment or the selective state grammar school route, as both schools have strong academic outcomes and prepare pupils well for university.