Christ's Hospital, known colloquially as the Bluecoat School, is an English co-educational independent day and boarding school located in Southwater, south of Horsham in West Sussex. It is a charity school whose fees are calculated on a means test.
Video Christ's Hospital
History
Christ's Hospital was established as a school in November 1552 at the instigation of King Edward VI. The king's patronage of the school was confirmed by a Royal Charter granted on 26 June 1553, eleven days before his death. The school was founded at Newgate Street, London, on the site of a Grey Friars (Franciscan) friary, with a preparatory school in Hertford, Hertfordshire which had supplementary schools at Ware and Broxbourne.
In 1902 the Newgate Street and Hertford schools relocated to its present location south of Horsham in West Sussex. A new railway station adjacent to the new site was partially sponsored by the school and also opened in 1902. A girls' school was founded in Hertford after the boys' school moved to Horsham. The girls' school was incorporated into the Horsham site in 1985 when the Hertford site was closed.
The trustees of the foundation are the Council of Almoners, chaired by the Treasurer of Christ's Hospital, who govern the foundation according to a Scheme of Administration granted by the Charity Commission. The historic Court of Governors survives as a formal institution consisting of over 650 benefactors but its powers have since the 19th century been largely transferred to the smaller Council of Almoners.
In 2007 Christ's Hospital was separated into two related registered charities: Christ's Hospital Foundation and Christ's Hospital School.
Maps Christ's Hospital
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 favour of keeping the original uniform.
Admissions
In 2006 19% of children accepting places were assessed as being in "very high" need, 64% in "medium to high" need and 17% in "low" need.
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. Some of the means of entry are denoted on the uniform by a round metal plate (varying in design according to type of presentation) sewn on the breast of the housey coat.
External inspection
In late November 2012, Christ's Hospital underwent a whole school inspection carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The school was rated 'excellent' (the top grade) in the report released in January 2013. The optional term 'Exceptional' was not used. The report also noted: "The school is advised to make the following improvement. Ensure, through consistent monitoring by its academic leaders, the highest standards of teaching in all subject areas."
Sexual abuse allegations
On 6 September 2017 Peter Webb, a former teacher at the school, pleaded guilty to eleven counts of indecent assault against five boys at the school. Three other former teachers at the school pleaded not guilty to other sexual offence charges concerning pupils at the school.
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)
Alumni
People educated at Christ's Hospital are called Old Blues.
Staff
Notable members of staff have included:
- Edward Baldwin, 4th Earl Baldwin of Bewdley
- Adrian Bawtree
- Edward Buck
- Samuel Cobb
- Gerald Davies
- Ralph Henry Carless Davis
- John Flamsteed (Astronomer Royal)
- William Hamilton Fyfe
- Steve Gatting
- Bruce Grindlay
- George Andrew Jacob
- Craig Sellar Lang
- Derrick Somerset Macnutt
- William Wales (Astronomer)
See also
- Christ's Hospital Band
- Christ's Hospital railway station
- Erasmus Smith
- List of Victoria Crosses by school
References
Sources
- Davies-Jenkins, Sue (2010). Hang on tight : Christ's Hospital : from girlhood to Governor. Durham: The Memoir Club. ISBN 978-1-84104-499-6.
- Allan, G. A. T. (1984). Christ's Hospital. Revised by J. E. Morpurgo. London: Town & County. ISBN 0-86364-005-2.
- Plumley, Nick (1986). Christ's Hospital: a short history. Crampton and Sons.
- Mansell, Ken (2011). Christ's Hospital in the Victorian era. Twickenham: Ashwater Press. ISBN 978-0-9562561-2-6.
External links
- Christ's Hospital
- Christ's Hospital Association website (Alumni website)
- Christ's Hospital School in 1731
- ISI Inspection Reports
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wood, James, ed. (1907). "article name needed". The Nuttall Encyclopædia. London and New York: Frederick Warne.
Source of article : Wikipedia
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