An Education as Individual as Your Child
Hampton Court House offers a deeply personal, purposeful and distinctive education. Our guiding belief is simple yet powerful: every child is truly known, valued and developed as a unique individual. From the moment your child joins Hampton Court House, they are recognised not as part of a cohort, but as an individual with their own talents, interests and potential. This philosophy shapes every aspect of school life – from the way we teach, to how we build relationships, support wellbeing and prepare young people for life beyond school.
Truly Personal Learning and purposeful informality – where every child is known
Our purposely informal ethos with no uniforms, a deep respect for student voice, small class sizes and first-name teacher terms builds deep student – teacher relationships and a warm supportive learning environment. Every child is seen, heard and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Academic Excellence and Personal Growth
HCH combines academic ambition with warmth, trust and genuine care. Students are encouraged to think critically, question confidently and develop intellectual independence. Our students consistently achieve gold, silver and bronze certificates across both the Junior and Intermediate Maths Challenges and HCH is one of the few schools participating in the Maths Kangaroo and Olympiad competitions. One of our Year 8 students recently scored full marks in a UKMT paper, an accomplishment that is exceptionally rare, going on to secure first place in the Junior Olympiad and qualify for the Cayley Olympiad. Outstanding GCSE and A-Level outcomes reflect a progressive approach grounded in motivation and engagement. At GCSE, 24% of all grades awarded were A* (9), 43% of grades were A*(9-8) and 63% of all grades were A*/ A (9-7). At A-Level, 18% of all grades awarded were A*, 49% of all grades were A*/A and 75% of all grades were A*/B, with a 100% acceptance rate for medical applicants. Our students take up places at prestigious institutions including Russell Group and Oxbridge, as well as international universities.
However, at HCH success is measured not only by grades, but by progress, confidence and personal growth. Our data shows that we lift children off their academic flightpath by up to 1.6 grades higher than their predicted grades. But our aim is not just academic success, but more importantly to develop well-rounded individuals – young people who leave our school with independence, empathy, and emotional intelligence. This well-rounded approach aimed at educating the whole child – intellectually, emotionally, and socially – not only improves academic performance – but also results in young people prepared to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world.
Strong French and Language focus with a holistic approach
Our holistic education approach combines strong academics with experiential learning, a focus on modern language proficiency and creative artistic exploration. We offer the Label FrancÉducation accredited French immersion programme from Years 1-4, and a choice of French, Spanish, Mandarin and Latin from Year 5. Following French Immersion students can elect to participate in FLAM (French as a First language) following the French Ministry of Education’s curriculum and enabling them to obtain the DELF B2 language certification required by French Speaking universities, and to obtain a French GCSE one year earlier in Year 10.
Practicing artists, actors and musicians teach and mentor students in Drama, Art, Photography and Music. Experiential learning occurs frequently with students participating in immersive local and international trips and experiences to France, Italy and Spain as well as the Arctic, Thailand and Morocco. We offer a broad range of sports for each student to discover a sport for life from football, netball and basketball to rowing – with access to world class sporting facilities in partnership with nearby St Mary’s University, East Molesey rowing club and X-Cel sports hub. Sports lessons and over 50 clubs encourage students to try new sports such as Padel, Golf, Table Tennis and Judo and experience different activities from Zoo club to Lego Robotics to Pottery and Coding Club.
Seamless Progression through School
From Reception to Sixth Form, HCH offers a continuous and enriching educational journey without the stress of 11+ and 13+ entrance exams. Our nursery is aimed at preparing children for school with child-led learning activities supported by expert lessons with literacy and numeracy being a focus. This is followed in Reception by an accelerated Phonics and reading programme and the Mathematics White Rose curriculum introducing fundamental concepts through hands on experiences and interactive games. Every child is known and nurtured as they progress through the years, maximising their potential.
Award winning Sixth Form Preparing You for Life
Our Sixth Form is more than academic preparation – it’s a transformative journey shaping confident, resilient, and socially minded young adults.
Our unique Preparing for Life Sixth Form programme has been specifically designed around evidence-based pillars which equip our students with the skills, mindset and self-belief to thrive beyond university. Blending rigorous A-Level study with holistic development across physical health, mental wellbeing, leadership, cultural exposure, and community engagement. From one-to-one executive leadership coaching to physical and core strength gym training delivered by experts; cultural visits to the theatre and the opera to opportunities for philanthropy, we equip students not just for university, but for life. In 2025, the Preparing for Life programme received recognition by winning the Talk Education Innovation in Education national award for Support For Life Beyond School.
A Beautiful and Historical Setting
A school steeped in romance and history, HCH was built over two centuries ago by the Earl of Halifax as a testament to his love for Anna-Maria Donaldson, a famous opera singer. Designed by renowned architect Thomas Wright, special period features include the heart shaped lake, exquisitely decorated shell grotto, winter garden adorned with palm trees and unique Icehouse. Later residents of the house include the 4th Earl of Sandwich and the Twining’s family.
Our Grade II listed building is located right on Hampton Court Palace’s doorstep, nestled in beautiful parkland beside Bushy Park. Our historic and charming school includes an onsite Forest School, Science and IT labs, art studios, ampitheatre, a community garden which has been awarded the highest Royal Horticultural Society Level 5 award, a sports MUGA and junior football field. This exceptional setting offers a calm, inspiring learning environment where our parkland grounds and onsite Forest School inspire outdoor learning, curiosity and a love of nature – and culture, and history are woven into daily learning with regular history and music visits to the Palace.
A culture built on Student Voice and Wellbeing
Students play a key role in school decisions and shaping the school, helping young people develop confidence and a strong sense of belonging. This ranges from our trained student Wellbeing champions leading wellness initiatives, to our student Eco-Committee contributing to winning the Eco -Schools Green Flag with Distinction award, to GCSE students participating in new student interviews.
A proactive approach to wellbeing in everyday school life ensures students feel supported emotionally as well as academically. Trained student Wellbeing Champions provide first line peer support, supported by professional staff, and lead their own initiatives including a dedicated Wellness Room with mindfulness activities and wellbeing walks in our beautiful grounds. This integrated approach reflects the belief that wellbeing and achievement go hand in hand.
This recognises the trust we place in students to become active participants in school life and builds trust between themselves, their peers and teachers. HCH was recognized for this by winning the 2025 Education Choices national award for “Developing Student Voice.” and being listed again as a finalist in 2026
London Independent School of the Year Finalist
HCH was a finalist for London Independent School of the Year 2025, after being shortlisted for two years running – and commended again in this category in 2026. HCH also won national awards in 2025/2026 for ‘Developing Student Voice’ as well as ‘Innovation in Education – Support for Life Beyond School’ for its unique ‘Preparing for Life’ Sixth Form programme.
A Dukes Education Family School
HCH is part of the Dukes Education family, a network of schools carefully chosen for their academic excellence, individual character and ethos. This enables us to work in partnership with schools on a global scale to share best practice and knowledge, while maintaining our own unique identity and ethos. Our purpose is to use our network of Dukes schools to give our students the best education informed by the latest educational practices and give them the foundations for an extraordinary life.
A Place where Children Love to Learn
Above all, Hampton Court House is a school where students are happy. They enjoy coming to school, engaging enthusiastically in learning and valuing the strong relationships they build with staff and peers. Classrooms are characterised by focus and curiosity, while the wider school community is marked by warmth, respect and shared purpose. Students leave Hampton Court House not only with qualifications, but with confidence, strong friendships and a genuine love of learning. We are proud to be a school where young people are challenged, supported and inspired to become the very best version of themselves – ready for whatever path they choose next.
