School refurbishment plans

History of the buildings

The original buildings were designed by Sir Aston Webb and Ingress Bell in 1894. They established a clear architectural and organisational framework for the site, into which they placed the wide variety of buildings that comprised the School at that time. When Aston Webb created the new buildings, he created an environment reminiscent of the London School, while simultaneously creating buildings of their time and unique to his hand within the Sussex landscape.

Restoration Work at Christ's Hospital moves up a gear

Christ’s Hospital is now into the second year of an ambitious 10 year restoration plan which aims to put the buildings and services into good repair. The scope of the project is very wide and encompasses not only external redecoration and repairs needed to replace or restore the timeworn fabric, masonry, leadwork, windows and gutters but also to arrest decay of the hidden structures and replace the miles of cabling and pipework running underground and throughout its hidden tunnel network. This sensitive work requires the use of many skilled tradesmen and close liaison with Horsham District Council’s Conservation Dept whose guidance and assistance we greatly appreciate. Additionally, we have been fortunate in working with very considerate contractors who can undertake quite tricky and protracted projects in a way which works around the academic calendar and enables the School and its large resident community to function throughout.

The Boarding Houses

Running alongside the restoration works is a major programme of refurbishment and upgrading of the 8 Victorian boarding houses to meet modern standards and to create much improved living and social space for the pupils. Coleridge was completed in August 2007 with the final house, Middleton, being scheduled for completion in Easter 2008; the culmination of a project first begun in 2001.

For the first time in the history of Christ’s Hospital, one of the houses named Thornton( after Sir Edward Thornton, a former pupil in 1773-85) was transformed from a boys’ house to a girls’ house to fulfil the School’s aim of educating an equal number of girls and boys.

The restoration programme and other refurbishment projects are being managed by consultant building surveyors Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, in conjunction with specialist engineers and cost consultants and Christ Hospital’s Masterplan architect, Architects Design Partnership.

Geoff Price, Project Team Manager of Tuffin FerrabyTaylor: "We are particularly mindful of health and safety issues when undertaking so many contracts simultaneously in a school environment and have worked closely with all concerned to manage the risks effectively. The next most ambitious project will be the renovation of the catering block to upgrade the kitchen wing to current standards, a project that will be phased across the next 3-4 years and which will require many adjacent operations to be displaced in the interim. All of this disruption and expense will however ensure that the buildings can be adapted to meet current standards and serve the School long into the future. We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious and regionally significant, long term restoration and modernisation project which will benefit generations of children to follow".

Open to the Local Community

Unfortunately, the restoration work has meant the demise for the time being of many Fairs, Exhibitions, Conferences and Weddings held in the buildings and grounds of this beautiful site which took place during the School holidays. There are, however, plenty of opportunities for the local community to visit Christ’s Hospital. Each term a first class programme of Arts Events in the Theatre is open to the general public. ‘Verrio’ Tours when local societies or individuals can book to join a guided tour of the principal buildings. The tour also includes visiting the School’s museum and watching band parade, the famous lunch time tradition when the School’s pupils march into lunch to the accompaniment of the Band. Sports events are organised by Bluecoat Sports Centre for its members and the community. The School also has three Admissions Open Days each year when families considering education for their child are warmly invited to visit.

The whole programme has required considerable financial planning by the Trustees (Council of Almoners) of Christ’s Hospital who are charged with ensuring the project is affordable and sufficient funds are raised over a period of time to maintain and restore the site for Christ’s Hospital to continue as the last truly charitable boarding school.