Gap Year Opportunities for Hampton Boys
After leaving Hampton Sixth Form many boys take the opportunity to take a Gap Year before continuing their studies at university.
There are many options open to students on what to do with their 'year out' and Hampton School's Careers Department offers a wealth of general and practical help and advice.
Many school leavers choose to use their Gap Year to do voluntary or charity work abroad. At Hampton School we encourage boys to consider this route because the experience of working and living alongside people of another culture is a hugely enriching and broadening experience which may be very difficult to get later in life. It also instills a sense of confidence which is of enormous benefit to boys entering university and goes a long way to help candidates ‘stand out’ from a sea of similar applicants.
Hampton School has links with two African Projects which, we feel, offer excellent life experience for GAP year students:
Kiira College, Uganda
At Kiira gap students will teach at the college and work in the nearby town on other local projects such as orphanages, primary schools.>> Kiira College further information
Senga Bay, Malawi - Gap opportunities at Senga Bay include: working at Bishop Mackenzie International School, working in the Hampton School Safe Haven, teaching and playing football through Grassroot Soccer and working at a wildlife sanctuary. >> Senga Bay, Malawi, further information
We believe that these projects have several advantages over other Gap Year options.
- Although most schemes involve starting in January, so that boys can save money in the time up to Christmas, they also involve raising a large contibution (typically well over £1000 ) as a gift, in addition to all the other expenses. WE don’t ask for the donation and help students to the tune of approximately £400 for Kiira, depending on the number of students we help.
- Some schemes (SPW, GAP….) can involve very remote placements in very basic living conditions. Some boys thrive on this but it is asking a lot. BOTH our placements involve working with local people in very worthwhile schemes but the boys are housed very comfortably with people we know and trust.
- We have good relationships with the people at Kiira and Malawi and we can be flexible. We can let you know that your son has been accepted before UCAS forms need to be filled in. Most other schemes don’t.
There is a meeting for lower sixth early in the summer term so that they can learn about the placement and about other ‘GAP Year’ possibilities. Early in the September term of the Upper Sixth there is a meeting for applicants where application forms are handed out.
Miss Polly Holmes and Mr Pat Talbot are available to discuss matters at any time.