In 1829, to prepare for the reconstruction, the original Parish Church, which had been the home of Hampton School since its foundation, was demolished. While the new Church was built by 1831, the new School building was not opened until 20th January 1834. Located on the north-east side of the Churchyard, the new School comprised two large rooms for teaching, as well as separate accommodation for the School Master. While this may seem modest in comparison to the grandeur of our School today, the 1834 building still cost a considerable £831 (which equates to approximately £96,954.57 today!).

This new School building marked the beginning of significant change and growth for Hampton School. By 1866, pupil numbers began to grow, in spite of the uproar against the introduction of School fees. By 1878, the teaching curriculum was revised and enhanced, and formal entrance exams were introduced. With growing demand, the School sought the opportunity to provide accommodation for boarders.

On this day, 147 years ago, Lord George Hamilton MP laid the foundation stone at the new Hampton Grammar School site on Upper Sunbury Road. Once completed, this sizable construction cost £8,000 (which today equates to approximately £873,159.45), and the School formally opened in time for the beginning of the Autumn term in 1880.

With its distinctive red brick Elizabethan Tudor style, the new Upper Sunbury Road building was designed to house 125 day students and 25 boarders. It had six classrooms, a laboratory, a lecture room, a dining room, a spacious entrance hall, as well as pupil dormitories and designated accommodation for the Master.

Hampton Grammar School remained within this illustrious building for 58 years until the necessity of the School’s ever-growing capacity saw its relocation to its current site at Hanworth Road.