Hampton School in Hampton-on-Thames is one of London's most academically successful independent boys' schools, and entry to Year 7 (the main 11+ intake) is selective and heavily oversubscribed. Because Hampton sets its own bespoke entrance papers rather than using a standard GL Assessment or ISEB test, preparing for it means understanding exactly what this one school asks for. This guide walks through the format, timings, what the admissions team is really looking for, and how to build a realistic preparation plan that goes beyond generic 11+ drilling.
How Hampton's 11+ actually works
Hampton uses its own written entrance examination, sat in January of Year 6, followed by an interview for those who perform well on paper. This matters: unlike many grammar schools that rely on multiple-choice GL papers marked on a separate answer sheet, Hampton's maths is free-response, so a boy has to show full written working rather than bubble in an option. There is no verbal reasoning or non-verbal reasoning paper in the traditional GL sense; the school assesses reasoning through the way problems are framed inside the English and maths papers.
- English (about 60 minutes) — a reading comprehension section plus a piece of creative or continuous writing.
- Mathematics (about 60 minutes) — free-response problems requiring full working, no calculator.
- Interview — a 15-20 minute conversation with senior staff for shortlisted candidates.
Always confirm the current year's exact dates, timings and any registration deadlines directly with the school, as independent schools adjust their process year to year. Our key 11+ dates page is a useful companion for keeping track of registration windows alongside grammar-school deadlines.
| Component | Approx. time | Format | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | ~60 min | Comprehension + writing | Inference, vocabulary, written voice |
| Mathematics | ~60 min | Free-response, full working | Multi-step reasoning, accuracy |
| Interview | 15-20 min | Conversation | Curiosity, articulacy, reading |
What Hampton is looking for
Because the papers are bespoke, the school can look for depth rather than speed alone. Successful candidates tend to show three things clearly:
- A strong creative writing voice. The writing task is a genuine differentiator. Examiners reward controlled, vivid writing with a clear structure, varied sentence openers and precise vocabulary, not simply length.
- Confident free-response maths. Boys who set out working neatly, check answers and reason through multi-step word problems stand out. Guessing does not help here because there is no multiple-choice net to fall into.
- Genuine engagement at interview. Hampton interviews are conversational and often start from a book the boy has read recently, so authentic enthusiasm matters more than rehearsed answers.
The maths paper: free-response, not multiple choice
This is the single biggest reason Hampton preparation differs from grammar-school prep. In a GL-style paper a pupil selects an answer from A-E; at Hampton they must produce the answer and show how they got there. The maths sits broadly at upper Year 5 and Year 6 National Curriculum level but pushes into harder multi-step problems. Expect strong coverage of:
- Four operations, factors, multiples and primes
- Fractions, decimals, percentages and simple ratio
- Area, perimeter, angles and properties of 2D and 3D shapes
- Sequences, function machines and simple algebra
- Averages, data handling and multi-step word problems
A simple method helps under pressure. Teach your son RUCSAC for word problems: Read the question twice, Underline the numbers and key words, Choose the operation, Solve it, Answer in a full sentence with units, then Check. Because working is marked, an answer with clear method can still earn credit even if the final number slips. Build the underlying fluency with our free worksheets, then rehearse full papers against the clock using the mock papers library.
The English paper and the writing task
The comprehension rewards inference — reading between the lines — as much as straightforward retrieval, so practise questions that ask why a character behaves as they do or what a phrase suggests. For the writing task, a three-minute plan is worth far more than a rushed extra paragraph. A reliable frame is: decide the ending first, sketch three or four beats, choose two or three moments to slow down and describe, and pick a handful of ambitious words to weave in. Warn your son off the classic examiner traps: the "it was all a dream" ending, over-long openings that never reach a point, and dialogue that fills space without moving the story. Our revision hub has focused comprehension and vocabulary drills that build this over Year 5.
Recommended reading
Hampton expects strong, recent reading, partly because the interview so often begins there. Wide reading also directly feeds vocabulary and writing quality. Books that have worked well for successful candidates include Skellig (David Almond), Holes (Louis Sachar), The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh (Helen Rutter), and any classic of choice the boy can genuinely discuss with confidence. Encourage him to keep a short reading log noting a favourite character, a theme and one thing he would change — exactly the kind of reflection an interviewer draws out.
Building a realistic preparation timeline
Little and often beats last-minute cramming. A sensible shape for most families:
- Year 4 to early Year 5: build reading habit and core maths fluency; no exam pressure.
- Year 5: introduce timed comprehension and free-response maths; start weekly writing practice with feedback.
- Summer of Year 5: begin full mock papers to build stamina and exam pace.
- Autumn of Year 6: refine timing, target weak topics, and rehearse relaxed interview conversation about books and interests.
Because Hampton's free-response maths means multiple-choice-only practice does not fully prepare a candidate, our centre-specific mock library includes a Hampton-style free-response practice pack that mirrors the written-working format. If your son is also sitting local grammar schools, our grammar school directory and 11+ process guide help you map every deadline in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hampton use the GL Assessment 11+?
No. Hampton sets its own bespoke English and maths papers rather than using a standard GL, CEM or ISEB test. That is why free-response maths practice with full written working matters more here than multiple-choice drilling.
Is there a verbal reasoning or non-verbal reasoning paper?
Hampton does not set separate VR or NVR papers in the traditional GL style. Reasoning is assessed within the English and maths papers and at interview, so broad problem-solving practice is more useful than isolated reasoning drills.
When is the Hampton entrance exam sat?
The written papers are sat in January of Year 6, with interviews for shortlisted candidates. Always confirm the exact date and registration deadline for the current admissions year directly with the school.