School: Christ’s Hospital
Address: Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0LJ
Pupils: 870, Upper sixth 130
Fees: Σ5250Š—–Σ6600 (Day), Σ0-Σ10,150 (Boarding; means-tested)
Enquiries: The Admissions Registrar
Description: Founded in 1552 by King Edward VI for children in need of a boarding education. In 1985 the boys’ school at Horsham and the girls’ at Hertford joined to form one co-educational boarding school. It has splendid buildings, in an estate of 1200 acres, built in 1902 when the boys’ school moved from London. It is very well equipped; recent developments include refurbishment of all boarding accommodation and a new language and resource centre. The sports and social centre not only offers very fine facilities for the school, but also a chance to integrate with the wider community which shares the facilities. The school is a well-run establishment with high standards of teaching and very good examination results. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:9. The school has particularly generous bursary support; the majority of pupils benefit, most of whom enter from state primary schools. There is great strength in the creative arts and the school is famous for its music. Numerous dramatic entertainments are staged each year in the school’s Shakespearean theatre. The school is also very strong in games and sport. A wide variety of activities is available. There is a strong community action group. The Model United Nations group is popular, as are the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and many other clubs and activities.
School Head: Head Master: John Franklin, appointed in 2007. Educated at universities of Southern Queensland and New England. Previously Headmaster of Ardingly, Deputy Headmaster of St Peter’s College, Adelaide, and held posts at Marlborough, Sedbergh, Toowoomba Grammar School and other state schools in Queensland. Teaching staff: 100 full time, 45 part time.
Results: GCSE: 111 in upper fifth, 99% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects (including English, maths, a science, a humanity and a modern language). A-levels: 115 in upper sixth, on average passing 3.2 subjects with a final point score of 346. 18 pupils took the IB, all gaining the Diploma with an average of 37 IB points
Furtherhigher: Almost all sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course, 10% to Oxbridge. Pupils go on to study a range of subjects, particularly sciences, medicine, engineering, economics, maths, classics, history, philosophy and English. Regular entrants to conservatoires, drama schools and art colleges.
Arts: Music: Nearly 60% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 25 musical groups including 3 orchestras, 6 choirs, choral society, marching, concert, symphonic, wind, show, jazz and other bands. Recently, piano quintet finalists in National Chamber Music for Schools; pupils involved in National Youth Music Theatre and National Wind orchestra; marching band plays at eg Twickenham and Lord’s; regular entrants to conservatoires and Oxbridge choral scholarships; several CDs and national and European tours (choir and band). Drama and dance: Both offered. GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. School theatre combines professional and student work in full programme accessible to general public. Art and design: On average, 25+ take GCSE, 13+ A-level. Pottery, textiles, printmaking, history of art (12 per year) also offered. Regular entrants to art colleges.
Sport: Rugby, soccer, cricket compulsory for boys to age 16; netball, hockey, tennis, rounders for girls; some 10 further options including swimming, squash, fencing, volleyball. RLSS exams may be taken. International and county rugby players; county hockey (boys and girls), netball and cricket representatives at several age groups. Also bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; CCF; community service (50-100 involved: disabled sports club and day centre; work at primary and special schools locally and old people’s home centre); large mixed Scout and Venture Scout units; several Queen’s Scout Awards. Up to 15 clubs, eg chess, ecology, golf, debating, natural history, Model UN, photography, astronomy, creative writing, human rights.
Boarding: Own rooms from age 15; youngest pupils in rooms of 4; all have individual study units.ĂŽÂľHouses of approximately 45; upper sixth in separate co-ed university-style houses. Pupils can provide and cook own snacks. Regular leave weekends. Visits to local town allowed for over 14s.
Alumni: CH Club, President R C Poulton, c/o the school.
Formerpupils: John Snow (cricketer); Stuart Holland (Labour MP and academic); Lord Stewart (ex-Foreign Secretary); Keith Douglas (poet); Air Cmdr E M Donaldson; Bryan Magee (broadcaster and writer); Bernard Levin (journalist); Sir Colin Davis (conductor); Barnes Wallis (inventor of the bouncing bomb); Edmund Blunden (poet); Michael Marland (radical headteacher and educationalist); Ruth Deech (ex-Chair of Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority); Catherine Ennis (organist); Charles Hazelwood (conductor); Steve Hilton (political advisor and author).
