Christ's Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ's Hospital |
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| Established | 1552 |
| Type | Independent boarding school |
| Religious affiliation | Church of England |
| President | The Duke of Gloucester |
| Headmaster | John Franklin |
| Deputy Heads | Marlene Fleming and Jon Perriss |
| Chairman of the Council of Almoners | Garry Johnson |
| Founder | King Edward VI |
| Location | Horsham West Sussex RH13 0YP United Kingdom |
| Students | 870: 435 girls & 435 boys (2015) |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11 to 18 |
| School colours | Black & Yellow
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| Publication | Housey! The Blue The Broadie |
| Patron | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Former pupils | Old Blues |
| School Song | Votum The Foundation Hymn |
| Website | http://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/ |
Christ's Hospital, known colloquially as the Bluecoat School, is an English co-educational independent day and boarding school located south of Horsham in West Sussex. It is a charity school whose fees are calculated on a means test.
Contents
Uniform
The school's Tudor uniform consists of belted, long blue coats with knee-breeches, yellow socks, and bands at the neck. The uniform has been in place since 1553. The nickname "Blue-coat School" comes from the blue coats worn by the students – however, the nickname used within the school community itself is "Housey" and the long coat is called a "housey coat".
By 2011 students and alumni stated that they see the uniform as an important way of giving the school a unique identity and unifying the school. Around that time the administrators had discussed the idea of updating the uniform. A few of the school's 800 students voted, over 95% voted in favor of keeping the original uniform.
Admissions
Admission of pupils is either by open competitive examination or by "show of skills" — in either case the suitability of candidates is judged according to criteria of need and parental income.
School activities
Drama
An Arts Centre complex (architect: Bill Howell) was opened in 1974 including a theatre with Tudor style auditorium, music school extension, Octagon rehearsal/performance space and classrooms.
The Christ's Hospital Arts Centre served as a principal arts venue for Horsham and the surrounding area until the establishment of an arts centre in Horsham in the 1980s. A programme of performances continues to be open to the public.
Former pupils in theatre and film include Jason Flemyng, Leo Gregory, James D'Arcy, Michael Wilding, and Roger Allam.
Model United Nations
Christ's Hospital Model United Nations programme attempts to develop global citizenship. Its team debates international affairs at conferences, and organises its own for students from other schools.
Rock School
Christ's Hospital was featured in the first series of the reality television programme Rock School, in which Gene Simmons of Kiss helped a group of pupils form their own rock band.
Houses
The house system is incorporated with the boarding programme and most pupils are boarders. The school houses are named after notable Old Blues, primarily writers. Each house has an "A" and "B" side, each housing roughly 45 pupils. The houses are arranged from west to east as follows:
- Grecians West (mixed)
- Peele – George Peele (boys)
- Thornton – Edward Thornton (girls)
- Middleton – Thomas Middleton (boys)
- Coleridge – Samuel Taylor Coleridge (girls)
- Lamb – Charles Lamb (boys)
- Barnes – Thomas Barnes (girls)
- Maine – Henry James Sumner Maine (boys)
- Leigh Hunt – Leigh Hunt (girls)
- Grecians East (mixed)
Images for kids
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View of the Christ's Hospital quad towards dining hall. Picture taken from Big School
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Christ's Hospital's buildings in London in 1770, with the tower of Christ Church Greyfriars at right
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King Edward VI, founder of Christ's Hospital
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The former Christ's Hospital in Hertford
See also
In Spanish: Christ's Hospital para niños
