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Equal opportunities
As the UK’s leading charitable school, Christ’s Hospital in West Sussex ensures that its first-class education reaches children with the potential to be transformed by its enriching environment
Christ’s Hospital is the UK’s leading charitable school and largest bursary charity. The school was established in 1552 and provides free or substantially reduced cost places to more than 630 of its 900 pupils – this is more than any other organisation in the UK. Through a first-class education and exceptional pastoral support,
Christ’s Hospital provides each pupil with stability and the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. 98 per cent of pupils go on to university, and leavers take with them the confidence and resilience needed to achieve success at university and beyond and to make a meaningful contribution to society in life.
The total bursary (fee assisted) support given by Christ’s Hospital each year is over £18m.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BURSARY AND A SCHOLARSHIP?
A scholarship is a financial award granted to talented individuals who excel in specific fields, for example, academic work, music, sport, art or drama. Meanwhile, a bursary is a financial award granted to a pupil on the basis of the pupil’s financial need.
Past and present
Christ’s Hospital (CH) is one of the famous Royal Hospitals of London, whose foundation marked the beginning of the social services in Tudor England. Inspired by a sermon by Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, the young King Edward VI instructed the Lord Mayor, Sir Richard Dobbs, to appoint a committee of leading citizens to consider remedies and relief for the City’s homeless poor. Their work, and subsequently their philanthropy, led to the founding of the five great hospitals all supporting different needs. CH, established in the monastery of the Grey Friars in Newgate Street, embraced the task of educating and s
Established in 1552, Christ’s Hospital is one of the famous Royal Hospitals of London
THROUGH A FIRST-CLASS EDUCATION and exceptional pastoral support, Christ’s Hospital PROVIDES EACH PUPIL WITH STABILITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE
Christ’s Hospital is the UK’s leading charitable school
nourishing the destitute children of the city and took children of all social backgrounds and ages.
In November 1552, CH opened its doors to 380 pupils and, within a year, the number had increased to over 500. Many children, including 100 of the first 380, were infants who were sent away to CH Hertford to be looked after. When they reached 10, they returned to CH London.
WHAT MAKE CHRIST’S HOSPITAL SO SPECIAL
“While other school fee assistance schemes have come and gone, Christ’s Hospital has stuck to its charitable aims since it was founded in 1552: educating the financially, socially, and otherwise needy for free, or at a reduced rate, in a caring boarding environment. Today these pupils sit happily alongside the full fee payers and the school’s pupil profile is one of which its royal founder, Edward VI, would have been proud.” Kate, former parent.
The school today
Christ’s Hospital is an independent coeducational boarding and day school of 900 pupils with an equal mix of boys and girls aged 11 to 18. The school is situated in stunning countryside between London and Brighton, 20 miles south of London Gatwick and 38 miles from London Heathrow. The school is fortunate in having its own mainline railway station with regular trains to London, Gatwick Airport and the south coast.
Pupils’ fees are assessed according to family income, so that it’s a child’s ability and potential to benefit from a Christ’s Hospital education that determines their selection. This results in a social and cultural diversity that enriches the school community and offers pupils unique opportunities as they prepare themselves to take their place in the world. s
More than 630 of the school’s 900 pupils benefit from substantially reduced fees
CASE STUDY HOW I DID IT
Sam Odu, 19, was a bursary recipient at Christ’s Hospital. He has just started his second year at the University of Cambridge studying human, social and political sciences. He joined the school when he was 11 years old. Here, he tells us his story…
For a lot of people where I grew up, the opportunities I’ve received at Christ’s Hospital (CH) would be simply unattainable in ordinary circumstances. Growing up in London, I’m well aware of the lack of opportunity for a lot of children just like myself, through no fault of their own. Had it not been for Christ’s, I would never have had the chance to discover my passion for rugby or my deep interest in politics, as the resources needed to cultivate these interests are unfortunately unavailable to a large number of children. Christ’s has opened doors of opportunity to me that beforehand I did not even know existed.
A world of opportunities
What strikes me about Christ’s is how true the school has stayed to its original purpose; no matter what race, class or ethnicity we are, we’re all equal and given the same lifechanging opportunities regardless of our family’s household income. This is something that’s truly unique and makes CH such a distinct institution.
However, the impact CH has had on me is not wholly academic – I’ve especially benefitted from the numerous sports teams I’ve been involved in. Last year the 1st XV had a remarkable season, reaching the semi-final of a national competition.
However, for me, the value gained from this experience was not the final match, but rather the journey to the final match. I took away crucial lessons about teamwork and cooperation as well as perseverance both physically and mentally. These are important principles I’ve been able to apply to other areas of my life at the school.
Teamwork and leadership
Growing up in a boarding house, you naturally, over time, grow a strong personal connection with the house and more importantly, the people within it. I found there was always a strong sentiment of camaraderie and unity which I valued greatly and benefitted from personally.
And so, in my last year in Maine A, being appointed house captain was a truly humbling but also a very proud moment for myself. Being a monitor (school prefect) has afforded me a privileged position to be a mouthpiece for the extended pupil body. In doing this, I have been able to learn key lessons about teamwork and leadership through enacting different initiatives the monitor group has thought of.
Receiving the Academic Scholarship in Philosophy was a great achievement for me as it has helped me to further push my academic inquiry, while also granting me special privileges such as having a private audience with very established philosophers, such as Dr Stacie Friend, who came to give a lecture in
the Michaelmas Term. I’ve found these exceptional opportunities extremely enriching and educative.
A diverse pupil body
One of the greatest opportunities I’ve received at CH is the exposure to a vastly diverse school community. It’s this diversity that has helped me to greatly expand my world view and appreciation for different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. In this way CH is a truly special place as the education it gives you stretches far beyond your academic subjects.
The vast choice of extracurricular activities has been a great benefit for me. Through my participation in various extracurricular activities such as The Model United Nations, CCF and the Band, I’ve been provided with a unique learning experience that has helped me to become a more multifaceted person.
Due to the highly competent and passionate teachers at CH, I’ve always felt supported in an academic sense, as their consistent commitment has meant that throughout my time at CH, any academic support I needed was readily and gladly given.
Beyond academics, the strong community ethos of the school has also meant that I have been able to develop into a more conscientious and caring person.
Instilling lifelong skills
Countless times at CH, I’ve found myself very much in at the deep end, totally out of comfort zone, whether it’s starting my first match for the 1st XV Rugby team, or delivering my first speech at MUN or my first time marching out with the band; these challenging experiences have all moulded me into a more ambitious and resilient character, by giving me the opportunity to learn how to embrace new and initially daunting experiences wholeheartedly.
CH as an institution has opened an expansive network of support which has helped me gain deeper insights into the various industries that I’m interested in entering. Old Blues are always very keen to assist in any way they can, even if that’s just giving advice from their own experiences.
I believe that the academic rigor encouraged from a young age at CH has pushed me to be more inquisitive and taught me to really challenge myself to broaden my current understanding of not only academic subjects but of the world around us.
I think these traits will be indispensable in any career area and I feel CH has really equipped me well with these skills.
