Christ's Hospital Horsham

But I repeat my original point. Why have kids if you are going to send them away to be brought up by complete strangers? Are you lazy? Incompetent? Scared of your kids? This is the only country in developed western Europe where parents send their kids away unless it's absolutely necessary (peripatetic dad in armed forces for instance). And does it do us any good as a country? Look at the people running the country - Bozza, Rees-Mogg, Cameron, Osborne - all products of the English boarding school. Psychological and emotional cripples. Love and individual nurturing are so important at an early age. By definition there can be no love at a boarding school. Support, yes, of a kind. But not unconditional love.

Wow! Interesting thread. For what it's worth, one of my kids left there last year. My impression was of slightly less bullying than in the local state schools (which others of my children went to), but that there were a few issues, as at any school. Good discipline, and good systems for motivating kids to work hard academically. Lovely, polite, interesting kids (and no children of alcoholics from our experience, although I accept there may be a handful). Lots of amazing opportunities for the 'joiners'; some kids choose to opt out of the extras. Food not great. The uniform is great from a parent's point of view, because you don't have to pay for it. IT/Computing was not a strength at the school, but most subjects very well taught.
My DS was a day pupil, which suited us, but the vast majority of boarders seem very happy there. Few leave in 6th form, for example, which I'm sure they would do if it wasn't a happy place.

I went to CH. We were a ragtag bunch but nobody abused me, the grounds were wonderful and the children refreshingly ordinary. Not kids of alcoholics paeticularly, but many children of clergy, children who had lost 1 parent, single parents, that sort of thing. I have chosen not to have my children board, but if I had to board them for some reason, I would choose CH. I gather that the safeguarding is far far better than in our day.

Christ's Hospital is less and less a charity school. The percentage of fee-payers is now 24% and it's described as an independent boarding school. Boarding is contentious. No modern theory of child development supports it. Three masters were kicked out for sex abuse when I was there and more in more recent times. These hermetically sealed institutions in out-of-the-way places are always more of a magnet for possible abusers. Why would you want your child broaught up by strangers? Do you not feel capable of the job yourself?

I mean, I knew RS and I think many of us remain profoundly touched; I can't hear Nimrod without thinking about him.

I remember Champo fondly telling us about standing in door frames when an eathquake hit while she was travelling. I miss the chocolate crispie from Hertford that they never got right at Horsham.

I was also a Wests' Gift scholar, had a good time on balance, but it wasn't the place for our dd who is more quiet geek than team player.

I knew him too and echo your sentiment.

read "familial link to the family" as Familial link to the pair. bloody cat distracting me

sigh.

the trust fund was set up for the children of less fortunates so that they too could recieve an education.
John and frances had no children so the trust fund made provision for all those who could prove a direct familial link to the family

I am a direct descendant of John West, Our lineage is through his aunt Jane Stare who married Jasper Randall.

I shant reveal further as obviously that woudl out me in RL.

But it is all checkable for the cynics. I even have a "pedigree" number

So yes apologies for saying taht they set up the school, rather than just the fund that it is associated with. Misunderstanding of my part.

Unless she is royal ? ;)

I think they set up some trust fund that paid for the children of factory staff to attend. I think it is the charity that helps pay for the scholarships.

I haven't really looked into much, just had it drummed into me by elder family members from birth almost.

but they were born 100 years afert the school was set up

Here Cod

I never heard of the Wests.

I descend form the family that set up the christs hospital (John & Frances West)

The school was designed to offer a first class education to those who may otherwise not have been afforded one.

It is lovely to hear the stories of ex pupils. My Ds has Sn and wouldn't be attending and as DD is only 6 i have a while to contemplate her going.

Op your son will get a fabulous education, It is said that 98% of alumni are within the top 1% of earners in the country. He has a bright future ahead of him. You should be very proud.

CointreauVersial and iCod - it all sounds very familiar.

My db went to CH. I think he liked it, although he was bullied. My mum also went to Hertford CH. I tried to get in to Horsham, but failed the entrance I'm glad I didn't get in, as I don't think I would have enjoyed having one afternoon to come home every 3 weeks!

Congratulations to your ds.

I used to go out with a boy at Christ Hospital years ago 0 loved going there but I think it has changed now. Do they still wear the coats and yellow socks? The coats had a particular smell....

One of the things i always commented on when people asked me what it was like was the number of children from broken homes so I think it has been like that for quite a long time. I always maintained that it gave me a higher level of appreciation for my decidedly dull and traditional family than I would otherwise have had....

iCod, keeping that aura of mystery, then... Don't blame you.

Reading your posts (Hester Froggatt, eating cereal with a fork, Champo etc). I am pretty sure that we were there at the same time.

You might be my ARCH ENEMY!!

Re the way CH used to be in the olden days, my brother warned me off the girls' school because friends who had sisters there used to say it was really grim/tough/harsh.

That's ancient history now. My reports from daughter's friend is that she loves it and has experienced no bullying. If she did she says she is confident that the school would do something about it. I think she is confident in this and I have watched her go through her first couple of years clearly enjoying and appreciating the school. Big hurrah for CH for that.

But CH itself is a bit of a pain - got a real feeling when we looked at it that it feels it's doing full fee payers (the golden goose to boost finances) a favour by allowing them to apply to CH.

ta for pm just about

wont reveal self swoosh