Senior School at Hampton Court House

Hampton Court House is an independent, co-educational day school beside Bushy Park, near Richmond on the South West London and Surrey border. Our Senior School is where pupils in Years 7 to 11 grow into confident, curious young people, guided throughout by our ethos of Achievement with Heart. 

We combine academic challenge with character. Pupils are encouraged to think independently, act with integrity and make a positive contribution to the world around them. 

Book your Admissions Morning 

Senior School at a glance 

1. Stage: Senior School, Years 7–11 (approximately ages 11–16) 
2. School: Independent, co-educational day school for ages 2–18 
3. Location: Hampton Court Road, Richmond-upon-Thames, London KT8 9BS, beside Bushy Park 
4. Main entry points: Year 7 (11+) and Year 9 (13+)  
5. Qualifications: GCSEs, studied in Years 10 and 11 
6. Next step: Our Sixth Form, Years 12 and 13 
7. Visits: Weekly Admissions Mornings during term time, or a personal tour 

What is Senior School at Hampton Court House? 

Senior School at Hampton Court House is the Years 7–11 stage of our independent, co-educational day school near Richmond, on the South West London and Surrey border. For pupils aged approximately 11–16, it combines an ambitious curriculum, individual pastoral support and focused GCSE preparation, with a clear pathway into our Sixth Form. 

Senior School is one part of an all-through education for ages 2–18. Children can join us in The Little Courtiers Early Years and continue through Prep, Senior School and Sixth Form. You can find out more about Hampton Court House and our approach, and discover what makes us different.

When families compare private secondary schools in London and Surrey, results are only part of the question. The rest is whether a school will stretch their child and know them well. Senior School at Hampton Court House is designed to do both. 

An Ambitious and Engaging Senior Curriculum 

Our Senior curriculum is broad and rigorous, with core subjects taught in depth. Lessons are discussion-led: pupils are expected to question, debate and refine their ideas, not simply take notes. 

Our purposeful informality  approach where students don’t wear uniforms and address teachers by their first names creates both trust and respect. Warm, respectful relationships between teachers and pupils make it easier to speak up, test an argument and learn from a wrong answer. Because teachers know each pupil well, they can adjust their approach, adding challenge where a pupil is ready and support where they need it. 

Key Stage 3: Years 7 to 9 

The first three years of Senior School build broad foundations across the curriculum. Alongside subject knowledge, pupils develop the habits that serve them at GCSE and beyond: critical thinking, collaboration, resilience and clear communication. 

Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11 

In Year 9, pupils choose between 9 and 10 GCSE options, building on their interests alongside the core subjects. As a small school and in line with our ethos we make every effort to ensure that each student can take their chosen optional subjects, through our classscheduling . Years 10 and 11 then focus on GCSE study, with teaching that adapts to the needs of each pupil. 

Full details of subjects and choices are in our Senior Curriculum section, including the GCSE Options 2026–27 guide. 

Explore the Senior Curriculum 

Academic Achievement and GCSE Preparation 

We want every pupil to finish Year 11 with results that open doors, and the confidence to make good use of them. 

2026 GCSE results  were outstanding with 23% of grades at Grade 9 (A*), 43% Grades 9-8 (A*) and 63% of grades at 9–7 (A*/A) 

GCSE preparation is steady rather than last-minute. From choosing options in Year 9 to the final exams in Year 11, pupils are guided by subject teachers and tutors who know their progress well. Academic clinics give pupils extra time to consolidate topics and ask questions, and the discussion-led approach of Key Stage 3 means they reach their GCSE years already used to thinking for themselves. 

For subject-by-subject detail, visit the Senior Curriculum pages. 

Pastoral Care & Life Beyond the Classroom 

Every pupil truly known and supported 

Pastoral care sits at the centre of Senior School. Each pupil belongs to a small tutor group and has regular tutor time, building a close relationship with an adult who knows them well. Strong links between pupils, tutors, teachers and families mean that any potential concerns are noticed early and successes are celebrated. 

We want every pupil to feel safe, to belong and to grow in self-awareness and confidence. 

ISI inspection, October 2025 Inspectors reported that pupils feel safe, happy, listened to and supported. Pupils described the school as “warm”, “inclusive” and “unique”.  

Read more about wellbeing and pastoral care at Hampton Court House. 

Enrichment, leadership and service 

Achievement with Heart extends well beyond lessons. Our co-curricular programme includes: 

1. Sport, including sports partnerships with St Mary’s University, East Molesey Rowing Club and X-Cel sports hub that give pupils access to world class specialist sporting facilities  
2. Creative and performing arts, with termly productions and performances 
3. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold 
4. Leadership roles and student voice initiatives 
5. Competitions, academic clinics and enrichment 
6. Experiential learning with trips, theatre and concert visits in London and  internationally including trips to the Arctic, Thailand and Morocco.  

Pupils also fundraise each term for charities, including Rafiki Thabo and Kingston Foodbank. 

Preparing for the Future: Senior to Sixth Form 

Senior School prepares pupils academically, emotionally, socially and personally for the next stage of their education and for life beyond school. 

At the end of Year 11, pupils who meet our entry requirements can move into Year 12 in our award-winning Preparing for Life Sixth Form. Preference is given to current students but external students are warmly invited to apply and will be considered subject to meeting academic entry criteria. Sixth Form is a separate stage for Years 12 and 13. It builds on the confidence and independence developed in Senior School, with a wider focus on wellbeing, leadership, cultural literacy and community engagement. 

Discover our Sixth Form 

Visit Our Senior School 

The best way to understand Senior School is to see our school in action for yourself. Book a personal tour with our Admissions team or join one of our weekly Admissions Mornings during term time for a welcome talk by our principal, a tour of the school with our students and time for questions. Parents and their children are invited to get a real understanding of our unique school and culture.  

You can book a personal tour with our friendly Admissions team any time that suits you. Admissions Mornings for Lower Prep (up to Year 4) are on Tuesdays, and Upper Prep (Years 5 and 6). Admissions mornings are on Wednesdays.  

Sixth Form students and parents are invited to book a Private tour with our Admissions team, where they will also meet current Sixth Form students, our head of Sixth Form and Head of Academics. 

Book your Admissions Morning · Book your Personal Tour  

Ready for the next step? See Senior Admissions, review our fees or view and download our Prospectus.