Christ's Hospital · Key Facts

Know the school before you walk in

The interview panel will expect you to know something real about Christ's Hospital. These are the facts most likely to come up — and the ones that are most relevant to your situation. Read these before Thursday.

What makes CH different

  • Founded in 1553 — one of England's oldest schools
  • The Housey system (boarding houses) is central to school life — strong community feel
  • Famous for the distinctive blue coat and yellow stockings uniform — one of the oldest school uniforms in England
  • Has its own school band and music programme — nationally recognised
  • Strong tradition in art, drama, and creative subjects

The bursary and the mission

  • CH is means-tested — fees are based on what families can afford, not a fixed price
  • Over a third of pupils pay nothing at all
  • The stated mission: "Educating children of all social backgrounds who can benefit from a boarding education"
  • CH actively seeks students whose path has not been straightforward — this matters for your application

Sixth form at CH

  • Small sixth form — personal attention, not lost in a crowd
  • A-levels and a broad enrichment programme
  • Strong emphasis on pupil wellbeing alongside academic achievement
  • Boarding means you live at school — community is 24/7
  • Strong pastoral support system built into house structure

Things worth knowing for your subjects

  • Psychology: CH offers A-level Psychology — it fits with their wellbeing focus
  • Art: CH has strong visual arts facilities and a tradition of creative achievement
  • Photography: Likely offered as an A-level option — strong creative arts department
  • The school values students who know why they want to study what they've chosen
💡 You don't need to recite all of this. Pick two or three things that genuinely resonate with you and be ready to mention them naturally if asked "Why Christ's Hospital?" The bursary mission and the boarding community are the most personally relevant to your situation.
Interview Questions · Reference Guide

Questions and ideal responses

These are the questions most likely to appear in your interview. Each one has a suggested ideal answer written for your situation, and a coaching note flagging the specific risks to watch for. The answers are a starting point — say them in your own words.

Mock Interview · Timed Mode

Practice under pressure

Questions appear one at a time. You have 90 seconds to think and answer out loud before you can reveal the ideal response. This trains you to actually speak your answer before reading it — which is the whole point.

Tip: say your answer out loud to the room, or to whoever is sitting with you. Don't just think it.