Hampton School - History

History

In 1556, Robert Hammond, a wealthy brewer who had acquired property in Hampton, left in his will provision for the maintenance of a 'free scole' and to build a small schoolhouse 'with seates in yt' in the churchyard of Hampton Church .

Although Hampton School was founded in 1557 there was provision in the will that the school would only continue as long as the vicar, churchwardens and parishioners carried out his requests. If not, then the properties would revert to his heirs. It seems that the school (in its first incarnation) did not survive beyond 1568, or possibly earlier, and the properties reverted to the heirs.

Subsequently, however, the school was re-opened in 1612. This was as a result of a Commission that was established to enquire into the fate of Tudor charities that had disappeared for various reasons in different parts of the country. The "learned counsell on bothe sides" reached a deadlock at the Commissioners. However in the spirit of compromise and through the generosity of the then legal owner of the properties, Nicholas Pigeon, the school was re-endowed. The school has continued in various forms and in various buildings ever since.

The early school was on the site of St Mary's Church. It moved to a purpose-built campus on Upper Sunbury Road in 1880 before moving to the present site on Hanworth Road in 1939.

The School converted from voluntary aided status to become a fee-paying independent school in 1975 in the light of changes to the administration of secondary education in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and remains independent to the present day. It is located next to The Lady Eleanor Holles School for girls, with which it shares several classes, clubs, facilities and a coach service.

Founders' Day is celebrated by the school each year. The occasion is marked by a procession of boys walking from the school down to St. Mary's Church by the Thames, towards the end of the academic year.