Christ's Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ's Hospital |
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| Location | |
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West Sussex
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RH13 0YP
England
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| Coordinates | 51°02′39″N 0°21′47″W / 51.044167°N 0.363056°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public school Private boarding school |
| Motto | Honour All Men, Love the Brotherhood, Fear God, Honour the King |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Church of England |
| Established | 1552 |
| Founder | King Edward VI |
| Department for Education URN | 126107 Tables |
| President | The Duke of Gloucester |
| Chairman of the Council | Christopher Steane |
| Head Teacher | Simon Reid |
| Deputy Heads | Ruth Brading and Luke Walters |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 900 (2017) |
| Houses | Peele, Thornton, Middleton, Coleridge, Lamb, Barnes, Maine, Leigh Hunt |
| Colour(s) | Blue & Yellow |
| Publication | Housey! The Blue The Broadie |
| Alumni | Old Blues |
| Patron | Charles III |
| School Song | Votum The Foundation Hymn The Hertford Grace |
| Website | http://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/ |
Christ's Hospital is a special boarding school in England for students aged 11-18. It has a royal charter, which is like a special permission from the King or Queen. The school is located south of Horsham in West Sussex.
The school was started in 1552, and its royal charter was given in 1553. From the very beginning, Christ's Hospital has been a charity school. Its main goal is to offer children from less fortunate backgrounds a chance to get a great education.
Contents
- Helping Students: A Charitable School
- School History: From London to Horsham
- School Buildings: A Look at the Architecture
- School Traditions: Unique Customs
- Joining Christ's Hospital: Admissions
- Academic Success: Exam Results
- School Activities: Music and Drama
- School Houses: Where Students Live
- Famous Former Students
- Notable Staff
- See also
Helping Students: A Charitable School
Christ's Hospital is unique among private schools in the UK. Most of its students receive financial help to attend. This is because it was founded as a charity school.
Families pay school fees based on what they can afford. The school and its supporters provide a lot of money to help. This way, students from all kinds of backgrounds can get a private education. Without this help, it would be too expensive for many families.
The school is managed by a group called the Council of Almoners. They follow rules set by the Charity Commission. In 2007, Christ's Hospital officially became two separate charities: Christ's Hospital Foundation and Christ's Hospital School.
School History: From London to Horsham
Christ's Hospital was created thanks to King Henry VIII and later confirmed by his son, King Edward VI. Important people like Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, and Sir Richard Dobbs, the Lord Mayor of London, also helped. The idea for the school came about because many poor and homeless people, especially children, were on the streets after monasteries were closed down.
King Edward VI was inspired by a speech from Bishop Ridley about helping the poor. He wrote to the Lord Mayor, encouraging him to act. A group of 30 merchants then worked to make it happen.
In 1553, King Edward VI gave Bridewell Palace and other properties to create three Royal Hospitals. These were Christ's Hospital, Bridewell Hospital (now King Edward's School, Witley), and St Thomas' Hospital. All three use a similar coat of arms.
The first students, both boys and girls, started at the school in Newgate, London, in 1552. King Edward VI signed the royal charter the next year. The school stayed in Newgate for 350 years.
During the Great Plague of London in 1665, 32 children sadly died. The next year, the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the hospital buildings. Luckily, no children were hurt. About 200 students were moved to other towns like Islington and Hertford.
By the late 1600s, the buildings were rebuilt with help from famous architects like Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor. The nearby Christ Church Greyfriars church, designed by Wren, became the school's place of worship.
In 1673, King Charles II gave Christ's Hospital a second royal charter. This created the Royal Mathematical School. Its purpose was to train mathematicians and navigators to become naval officers and sailors. Samuel Pepys, a key figure in the Navy, greatly supported the school. Famous scientists like Isaac Newton and Edmund Halley helped plan the new school's studies.
The girls of Christ's Hospital moved to Hertford in 1707. By 1778, all the girls had moved from London to Hertford, where the school was rebuilt for them.
One of the school's most famous teachers was James Boyer, who taught from 1778 to 1799. He taught well-known writers like Charles Lamb and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
In the 1800s, architects John Shaw Senior and John Shaw Junior worked on the school buildings, including the old school hall. In 1854, The Duke of Cambridge started the tradition of Royal Presidents for the school.
In the late 1800s, a new site for the school was proposed. Some people, like the Duke of Cambridge, were unsure about such a big change. However, the plan went ahead. About 1200 acres (4.8 km²) of land near Horsham in Sussex was bought.
The foundation stone for the new school was laid by Edward, Prince of Wales in 1897. The new school was designed by architect Aston Webb. Old parts of the London school, like the Grecians' Arch, were moved and used in the new buildings.
The boys moved from London and Hertford to the new Horsham site in 1902. Hertford then became a school just for girls.
Christ's Hospital has continued to have royal support over the years. King George V became the first royal patron in 1919, followed by King George VI in 1937, and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
School Buildings: A Look at the Architecture
The buildings at Christ's Hospital in Horsham are very important. They were given a special heritage listing in 1959. The school has a tall water tower, a dining hall, and a chapel. These buildings face a large quadrangle, which is a square courtyard.
The red brick walkways, called colonnades, are connected to the dining hall with stone arches. These arches were designed by John Shaw in 1836 for the old school in London. They were carefully taken apart and rebuilt here in Horsham in 1902.
The Big School building is known for its large windows, octagonal towers, and a square clock tower on the roof. Another piece from the old London school is the entrance porch, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
The dining hall features a huge 86-foot (26-meter) long painting by Antonio Verrio. This painting shows King Charles II starting the Royal Mathematical School in 1673. It has over 100 figures, including King Charles II himself. This painting hung in the school's halls in London for more than 320 years before moving to Horsham.
The school chapel was designed by Aston Webb and E Bell. The stone carving at the east end shows Christ in Glory surrounded by sculptures of the Twelve Apostles. Below, it shows Christ receiving the children. A statue of the Good Shepherd above the chapel door is a war memorial for students who died in World War I.
The chapel also has beautiful stained-glass windows by Thomas Ralph Spence and a large pipe organ. The walls of the chapel are decorated with sixteen murals painted by Frank Brangwyn between 1912 and 1923. These murals show scenes from the early Christian Church, like the story of St Alban and St Columba arriving at Iona.
School Traditions: Unique Customs
Christ's Hospital keeps strong ties with the City of London and its Lord Mayor. Every year, students march in a parade through the City of London on St Matthew's Day. They also take part in the annual Lord Mayor's Show.
One special tradition is marching into lunch with the school band. This happens every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, if the weather is good.
Another tradition is the annual speech-day parade. The Lord Mayor of London and their group watch the school march past in the main quad. They also attend a special service in the chapel and have lunch with the oldest students (called Grecians) and their parents. Afterward, they go to Big School to hear speeches and watch the prize-giving ceremony.
School Uniform: The Blue Coat
The school uniform is very old, dating back to 1553. It includes a long blue coat with a belt, knee-breeches, yellow socks, and white neck bands. The school is sometimes called "Blue-coat School" because of the blue coats. However, within the school, it's often called "Housey," and the long coat is known as a "Housey coat."
Older students who are monitors or have achieved academic awards wear a special "Buttons" coat. This version has larger buttons and velvet cuffs. These students wear their coats with the third button on the cuff undone to show their achievement.
Younger students wear a simple leather belt. When students reach Year 9, they receive a special 'broadie' buckle and belt, which they get to keep. Sometimes, students wear buckles from family members who also attended the school. Special buckles are also given to House Captains and the Senior Grecian (the top student).
When girls joined the school in Horsham in 1985, a matching uniform was created for them. It includes a knee-length pleated skirt, a summer jacket, and the long coat in winter. Girls wear yellow socks (like the boys) or grey/black tights.
On very hot days, the Head Teacher might allow students to wear 'Half Housey'. This means they can take off their Housey coat and just wear their shirts and breeches or skirts.
In 2011, students and former students said the uniform was important. They felt it gave the school a unique identity and brought everyone together. When school leaders thought about changing the uniform, over 95% of students voted to keep it as it was.
Joining Christ's Hospital: Admissions
To join Christ's Hospital at age 11 (Year 7), children need to show they are good at academics. They should be working at a high level in both Maths and English.
The process for getting a place with financial help has two steps. First, there's an assessment in October. Then, students attend a residential assessment in January, where they stay at the school for a short time.
Admission for Year 9 (age 13) also uses Christ's Hospital's own assessment. Students who don't need financial help can apply at age 11 and have their place saved for Year 9.
For Year 12 (age 16), applicants should be aiming for at least four A grades (level 7) and four B grades (level 6) in their GCSE exams. After an assessment, offers are made based on their GCSE results.
In all cases, the school will ask for reports from a student's current head teacher.
Special Ways to Join: Historic Entry Methods
Christ's Hospital has some unique ways for students to get financial help, based on its history.
Wests' Gift for Children
John and Frances West were wealthy merchants in the 1600s and 1700s. They had no children of their own but had strong ties to certain towns. Children from Newbury, Reading, Twickenham, and the City of London are encouraged to apply for a place through the West Gift Bursary fund.
RAF Foundationers Trust
Sir Barnes Wallis, a former student and supporter of the school, started the RAF Foundationers Trust in 1951. He used an award he received from the 617 Squadron of the RAF to create the fund. The RAF Benevolent Fund also donated money. This fund helps pay for the education of a small number of children whose parents have served in the RAF.
Samuel Pepys helped start the Royal Mathematical School at Christ's Hospital in 1673. This school taught children maths for navigation. Because of this, up to forty places are specially considered for children whose parents have served in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, or Royal Naval Reserve.
City Livery Companies
Christ's Hospital was founded in London over 460 years ago. It was a charity supported by city businesses and churches to educate poor children. The school still has connections with these groups. Some of them have an old right to "present" a child to the school, meaning they can recommend a student for a place. The school's Admissions Office can tell you if any of these special presentations are available.
Academic Success: Exam Results
Christ's Hospital students achieve strong academic results:
- GCSE results (2023): 59% of grades were 9-7 (which are like A* or A grades).
- A Level results (2023): 41% of grades were A*/A, and 67% were A*-B.
- Average IB point score (2023): The average score was an impressive 37 points.
- GCSE results (2019): 63% of grades were 9-7.
- A Level results (2019): 35% of grades were A*/A, and 61% were A*-B.
- Average IB score (2019): The average score was 34 points.
School Activities: Music and Drama
Music: A Strong Tradition
Christ's Hospital has a long and famous history in music. It has one of the biggest school music departments in the country. Many famous musicians, like conductors Sir Colin Davis and Constant Lambert, studied here.
The school's chapel has a huge five-manual organ. The Chapel Choir, with nearly 150 members, has made many recordings and is very well-known. Many students go on to study music at top universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
The school has a symphony orchestra, several choirs, and other music groups. They also have an annual House Singing Competition. The Music Department puts on a public concert every February in London.
The school's most famous group is its marching band, simply called the Christ's Hospital Band. They play for the daily parade and perform in the annual Lord Mayor's Show in London. The band also plays every summer at Lord's Cricket Ground. The band led the parade for the Queen's 80th birthday in 2006 and has played at Twickenham Stadium many times.
Drama: On Stage and Screen
An Arts Centre complex was opened in 1974. It includes a theatre with a Tudor-style stage, a music school extension, and rehearsal spaces.
The Christ's Hospital Arts Centre used to be the main arts venue for Horsham. Today, it still hosts public performances. Many former students have become actors and filmmakers, including Jason Flemyng, James D'Arcy, and Roger Allam.
School Houses: Where Students Live
Since 2011, Christ's Hospital has had a small number of day students. However, most students live at the school as boarders. The school's houses are named after famous former students, mostly writers. Each house has an "A" and "B" side, with about 45 students in each.
The houses are arranged from west to east:
- 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)
The sixteen original boarding houses are along The Avenue. They were built as H-shaped blocks on either side of the main Quad. Over time, dormitories have been updated. Now, younger students have four-bed rooms, and older students have single rooms.
Grecians Houses: Preparing for University
Students in Year 13 (called Grecians) move to special Grecians houses. These houses help them get ready for university or life after school. The two Grecians houses were finished in 2001. They have individual study bedrooms and shared common rooms and kitchens. This helps students get used to living in a mixed environment before university.
- Grecians West (for students from Peele, Thornton, Middleton, and Coleridge)
- Grecians East (for students from Lamb, Barnes, Maine, and Leigh Hunt)
Famous Former Students
People who were educated at Christ's Hospital are called Old Blues. You can find a longer list of them at List of people educated at Christ's Hospital.
Notable Staff
Some of the important head teachers have included:
- James Boyer (1778–1799)
- George Andrew Jacob (1853–1868)
- Arthur William Trollope (1799–1826)
- William Hamilton Fyfe (1919–1930?)
Other well-known teachers have included:
- Adrian Bawtree
- Gerald Davies
- Bruce Grindlay
- William Wales (astronomer)
People also connected with the school include:
- John Flamsteed (Astronomer Royal), a Governor
- Samuel Pepys, a Governor
- Steve Gatting, football coach
See also
In Spanish: Christ's Hospital para niños
- Christ's Hospital Band
- Christ's Hospital railway station
