Christ's Hospital
The Avenue, Horsham, RH13 0LJ
Pupils
836
Ages
11 - 18
Gender
Co-educational
Type
Secondary
Head Teacher
Mr Simon Reid
Boarding / Day
Day and Full Boarding
Fees
£6,680 to £8,410
ISC Associations
HMC, AGBIS, ISBA
Religion
Church of England
Bursaries
Available
About Christ's Hospital
Christ’s Hospital, located in Horsham, is a unique and historic co-educational boarding school that offers a distinctive blend of tradition and modernity. The school is known for its rigorous selection process, with most students joining in Year 7. Each year, around 780 applicants vie for 110 places, undergoing a raw ability test that narrows the field to approximately 300 candidates. These candidates then sit for tests in English and Maths and participate in one-to-one interviews. The school also admits around 25 students in Year 9 and another 25 in the sixth form, with specific academic criteria for each entry point.
One of the standout features of Christ’s Hospital is its focus on preparing students for life beyond school. Career discussions begin as early as Year 7, encouraging students to think about their future while their peers in prep schools are still focused on Common Entrance exams. Weekly career talks are a staple, ensuring that even the most reluctant pupils are nudged towards considering their future paths. This proactive approach has resulted in a diverse range of university destinations and subjects, with recent popular choices including King’s College London, Loughborough, UCL, Liverpool, and Warwick. In 2023, three students secured places at Oxbridge, and 13 pursued medical degrees. The school also saw two students head overseas to Western Washington and Delft University of Technology.
Academically, Christ’s Hospital boasts impressive results. In 2023, 59% of GCSE grades were 9-7, and 41% of A-level grades were A*/A, with 67% achieving A*-B. The average IB point score was 37. These results reflect the school’s commitment to academic excellence and the motivation of its pupils. The school encourages a love for learning, with a curriculum that includes two modern languages and Latin for all lower school students. The third form (Year 9) offers an HPQ, allowing pupils to independently research and present a project on a subject of their choice.
The teaching and learning environment at Christ’s Hospital is supportive yet challenging. Teachers and tutors are readily available, providing a 24/7 support system for students. The school is aware of the pressures that come with high academic expectations and offers robust mental health support. Pupils can leave a lesson and return to their house if they feel overwhelmed, ensuring that their wellbeing is prioritised.
The arts and extra-curricular activities are another highlight of Christ’s Hospital. With over 60 clubs, including Arabic, fencing, girls’ rugby, and Model United Nations, there is something for everyone. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) travels the world, and the school hopes to instil lifelong interests in its pupils. The drama department is particularly active, with annual junior and senior productions. The recent staging of West Side Story showcased the school’s dramatic and musical talents. The marching band is another point of pride, performing at prestigious events like the Lord Mayor’s Show and Remembrance Sunday at Whitehall.
Sport is an integral part of life at Christ’s Hospital, with games every afternoon. The school offers a range of sports, including mixed football and cricket teams and rugby sevens for both sexes. The Bluecoat sports centre is state-of-the-art, and memberships are available to the public when not in use by pupils.
Boarding at Christ’s Hospital is a well-structured experience. Nearly all pupils are full boarders, going home every third weekend. The boarding houses are designed to foster a sense of community, with rooms for four in the first two years and single rooms for GCSE students and above. Sixth formers enjoy more spacious rooms and the option to do their own laundry.
The school’s ethos and heritage are deeply rooted in its founding purpose: to care for and educate those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This commitment to diversity is evident in the range of backgrounds from which pupils come. The Tudor-style uniform levels the social playing field, creating a sense of unity among students. Tradition is important, with pupils marching to lunch military-style to the music of the school’s excellent band.
Pastoral care is a priority, with a comprehensive discovery programme for new Year 7s that covers essential skills like campus orientation, friendship, and food nutrition. Bullying is taken seriously and dealt with promptly, often using a restorative justice approach. The school has robust systems in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its pupils, including regular staff training and weekly PHSE lessons.
In summary, Christ’s Hospital offers a well-rounded education that prepares students for life beyond school. Its blend of academic rigour, supportive environment, and rich tradition makes it a unique and enriching place to study.
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ISI Review
Christ's Hospital is a co-educational boarding school located in Horsham, West Sussex, catering for 907 pupils aged 11 to 18 years. Founded in 1552, the school has a rich history, originally established to provide education and a home for destitute children in London. It operates as an independent educational charity governed by trustees, who oversee funding for means-tested bursaries that support a significant majority of its pupils. The school has made notable developments since its last inspection, including the establishment of a Languages and Resources Centre and a Lecture and Social Centre. The current headmaster, Mr. Simon Reid, has been in position since September 2017.
The school aims to enable all pupils to reach their full academic potential while fostering a caring community that promotes respect, self-confidence, a sense of service, and a love of learning. Most pupils are boarders, with many coming from maintained school backgrounds. Nationally standardized test data indicates that the pupils' abilities are above average. The school has identified 86 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, primarily mild dyslexia, and provides support for those requiring additional help with English language skills.
The regulatory compliance inspection conducted by the Independent Schools Inspectorate confirmed that Christ's Hospital meets the standards set by the Department for Education and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools. The inspection highlighted the school's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils, effective behavior management, and the prevention of bullying. Health and safety requirements are met, and appropriate first aid provisions are in place. The school maintains admission and attendance registers and has a strategic approach to risk assessment.
In terms of educational quality, the school has demonstrated strong academic performance. GCSE results from 2015 to 2017 were well above the national average for maintained schools, and IGCSE results exceeded worldwide norms. A-level results during the same period also surpassed national averages for sixth formers in maintained schools. The curriculum is well-documented and supported by effective teaching practices that enable pupils to make good progress. The school has a robust framework for assessing pupil performance, ensuring that all students, including those with special educational needs and the most able, receive appropriate support.
The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils is actively promoted, with principles and values that encourage responsible citizenship. Pupils' views are valued, and their opinions are considered by staff. The school fosters an environment where pupils can express themselves and develop their leadership skills. The welfare, health, and safety of pupils are prioritized, with appropriate measures in place to ensure their well-being.
The suitability of staff is rigorously checked, and the school maintains a register of staff and supply staff. Visitors to boarding accommodation are supervised, and the school's guardianship arrangements are effectively managed. The premises and accommodation provided for pupils are adequate, with suitable facilities for medical and therapy needs, as well as appropriate outdoor spaces for physical education and play.
The school provides a wealth of information to parents, including details about the curriculum, admission procedures, behavior policies, and the handling of complaints. The complaints process is structured and transparent, ensuring that parental concerns are addressed effectively. The leadership and management of the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling their responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils and maintain high standards.
The educational quality inspection further affirmed the excellence of pupils' academic and personal achievements. Pupils make rapid progress relative to their abilities, developing excellent knowledge, skills, and understanding across a broad curriculum. They exhibit outstanding communication skills, engage confidently in debates, and collaborate effectively. The school encourages pupils to take initiative and embrace challenges, fostering a culture of resilience and independence.
Pupils' personal development is also exceptional, with high levels of self-understanding and social skills. They contribute positively to the school and local community, demonstrating teamwork and leadership abilities. The school promotes tolerance and respect for diverse beliefs and cultures, creating an inclusive environment for all pupils, including those from different backgrounds.
The school has established a strong framework for supporting pupils with special educational needs and those for whom English is an additional language. The induction process for new pupils is well-structured, ensuring a smooth transition into the school community. Pupils are aware of their academic goals and receive guidance on how to achieve them, supported by effective tracking systems.
Overall, Christ's Hospital provides a nurturing and challenging educational environment that promotes both academic excellence and personal growth. The school's commitment to fostering a caring community, combined with its rigorous academic standards, ensures that pupils are well-prepared for their future endeavors, whether in higher education or other pursuits. The strong emphasis on values, respect, and responsibility contributes to the development of well-rounded individuals who are equipped to succeed in a diverse and changing world.
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Last Updated: 8 October 2024