Hampton Court House is a place of magic, wonder and inspiration, where the children are at the heart of everything we do. As Head, I am unashamedly and unapologetically idealistic about the power of education to transform young people, and HCH is the perfect environment for this to happen. Walking through the gates at HCH transports our children to a special place where they can thrive and flourish, where they are respected and valued as independent and autonomous individuals, and where they are known and deeply cared for by every member of staff. Our children are empowered, enabled, and treasured.

Our ethos and vision focuses on sparking creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking through an exciting and progressive curriculum facilitated by passionate subject specialists who have chosen to teach because they love their subject and are lifelong learners in themselves, but also because they wish to share this knowledge with young people. As well as being a place that buzzes with scholarship and academic enquiry, we also celebrate experiential learning and all of the so-called ‘soft-skills’ learned through the performing and expressive arts, sport, and activities where our children can be challenged outside of their comfort zone, celebrated for their intrinsic passions and skills, and where they can learn so much about who they are and what makes them tick.

Most importantly, however, HCH prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of each and every member of our community; pastoral care is the golden thread that runs through everything we do. Our children are nourished and nurtured as we help them navigate their way through developing their sense of self. Our guiding principles are kindness, respect and compassion for others and this is reflected in our ‘inner curriculum’ based on empathy, emotional literacy, and emotional intelligence. We want our children to be happy, confident, and understand themselves, but also understand and care for those around them. It is this combination that will help them make the world a better place.

There are so many other attributes that make HCH such a special school, whether that is our French immersion programme and focus on languages, ballet provision, informal dress code, late Sixth Form start, or how all staff are referred to by their first name. Our beautiful buildings and garden provide our students with the physical space to run, play, imagine and enjoy the freedom and other wondrous aspects of being young. HCH is unique and distinct, and we are proud to be so because we know how motivating, inspiring and nurturing this is for the young people in our care and how it helps them achieve their highest potential.

I cannot wait to welcome you to the school so you can see the magic, vibrancy, and collective joy of HCH first-hand.