Horsham (Christ's Hospital)

Christ’s Hospital, Horsham

Horsham is a recently opened centre, and one that we know is very popular with students and staff alike. The centre is extremely big, so much so that we are sharing the centre with another language school. The two organisations will run separate courses, but there will be occasions when we combine forces for particular activities.

Horsham – a Bustling Market Town

The nearest town to Christ’s Hospital is Horsham which has an interesting past, reflected in its attractive collection of old buildings. Percy Bysshe Shelley was born nearby. Over the centuries Horsham has grown considerably, and is now a popular urban centre. It is about an hour from London, yet set in lovely countryside – near both the woodlands of the Weald and the hills of the South Downs. Gatwick airport is also nearby. Christ’s Hospital is on the outskirts of Horsham and has its own railway station, with links to London (70 min) and Brighton (73 min).

Christ’s Hospital College

Christ’s Hospital College has history. Originally set up by King Edward VI in London in 1552, it transferred to its present site in 1807. The school’s purpose was to provide education for the poor and destitute, and today it continues to assist children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The school buildings occupy a site of over 1,200 acres, including a magnificent Victorian dining hall, a theatre, and a wealth of modern facilities including spacious classrooms, a large sports centre, Astroturf sports pitch and numerous playing fields. Teaching staff have a separate teachers' room.

The school is very modern in many ways, and yet also observes certain distinctive traditions that set it apart. These include the wearing of an unusual long blue jacket, ¾-length trousers and long yellow socks and, most notably, the custom of having a band play while all of the students march into the dining hall for lunch – we won’t be maintaining the practice during the summer school!

Staff at Christ’s Hospital can take out a very reasonable short-term membership to the sports centre which has squash courts and an excellent gym.

Accommodation and Facilities

The school accommodation comprises 8 large houses. Each one has between 60 – 70 students in identical 3 storey buildings. The Houses have their own common room downstairs. Staff are allocated rooms in a separate modern residential block, in rooms that are lockable, and will also have separate washing and toilet facilities from the students, and use of a staff kitchen.

On-campus facilities are limited, so shopping involves a trip to Horsham's excellent shopping centre or the other towns in the vicinity. There is, however, a pleasant pub within 20 minutes' walk from the campus and miles of public footpaths in open countryside around the school for those all-important, get-away moments.

Elac Excursions

All staff will be involved at some point in accompanying students on excursions. There are 3 full day excursions included in the typical programme in Horsham.

London

Students visit London twice. There are no included entrances.

The first visit focuses on a walking tour of the principal sights, including Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. The tour ends with some free time for the students to do some shopping.

The second visit allows for them to visit one of the museums or galleries (Natural History Museum, Tate Modern), or - if they wish to pay the entrance themselves - into an attraction (Globe Theatre, Madam Tussauds etc).

Brighton

We travel there by train, and the itinerary involves a guided tour of the principal attractions (Royal Pavilion, Pier and Lanes) with included entrance into either the Pavilion or The Sea Life Centre, followed by free time for shopping etc. It is a great opportunity for the students (and staff) to enjoy a day out by the sea.

Oxford

If you haven’t been to Oxford before, then you’ll enjoy accompanying the students on this trip. The city has so much to offer by way of history, much of it surrounding the university, which together with Cambridge are among the oldest and best known universities in Europe. Oxford University is made up of a number of independent colleges, and these are scattered throughout the city centre. During the visit the students (and staff) have the opportunity to visit one of these colleges, so that you can get a feel of what it is like to study there.

Following the walking tour and college visit, there will be free time for the students to visit the shops or perhaps try their hand at punting – do point out the high probability of their getting rather wet!

In addition to the excursions included in the programme there are a number of other trips which groups elect to do on their free day. These include: Cambridge, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Hever Castle, London (again!), Winchester and others.