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About CH
Overview
- Admissions
FAQs for Year 7 and Year 9 entry
How do I apply for a place?
The first step is to apply for a place and pay the registration fee. If the applicant is in receipt of free school meals, we will be pleased to waive your registration fee.
Once we have received your completed application form this puts your child’s name on our admissions database and we will then take you through the various stages of the application process, letting you know what is required at the different stages and making you aware of all the important dates for your diary.
When should I apply?
Ideally you should start the process at least eighteen months before your child is due to enter the school. For entry in 2027 your completed application form needs to be with us by Friday 11 September 2026, if you are going to apply for a bursary and/or scholarship.
How are children selected for places?
Assessment Process
As a guide, children entering at age 11 into Year 7 or at age 13 into Year 9 should demonstrate strong academic potential, performing towards the higher end of the ability range in both Mathematics and English within the National Curriculum. Typically, this means being predicted to achieve above 100 in the Key Stage 2 tests or, at Key Stage 3, achieving at least the equivalent of the higher grades and ‘working above the expected standard’.
Boarding Applicants
The assessment process for a boarding bursary place takes place in two stages. The first is an Initial Assessment in October, held just before the half-term break, which involves computer-based tests in verbal, quantitative, non-verbal and spatial reasoning. Boarding candidates who are successful in this stage are invited to take part in the Residential Assessment in January, just before term starts. During the Residential Assessment, children stay overnight, experience boarding life and take part in a range of assessment tasks. They are evaluated not only on their academic potential but also on their suitability for boarding.
Day Applicants
Assessments for day applicants consist of a single round, usually held over two days in October. Candidates complete computer-based tests in verbal, quantitative, non-verbal and spatial reasoning, and also sit written papers in Mathematics and English. These assessments are designed to evaluate each child’s academic potential and readiness for the Christ’s Hospital curriculum.
What is a Bursary and how do I get a one?
Bursaries: A bursary is means-assessed financial assistance given to help support a family who would not otherwise be able to afford some or all of the school fees.
When you first complete the registration form you kindly tick the box asking about bursary support. Once you have done that we will send you all of the relevant forms for you to fill in to explain your circumstances – these become increasingly detailed and require proof (e.g. in the form of bank statements etc.) as the applicant goes further through the admissions process.
What financial support is available?
Christ’s Hospital offers a range of financial support to ensure that talented children can benefit from the opportunities the school provides, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
Bursaries (Boarding Applicants)
Bursaries are means-assessed awards that provide financial assistance to families who would not otherwise be able to afford some or all of the boarding fees. Each application is individually assessed, taking into account family income and circumstances.
Fee Assistance (Day Applicants)
Fee assistance is available to day applicants who live within a commutable distance of the school. This support is means-assessed and offered to families who would find it difficult to meet the full day fee.
Scholarships
Scholarships of up to 25% off fees are awarded to recognise outstanding achievement and talent in areas such as academic work, music, sport, art or drama. Scholarships are available for entry into Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12.
Students may be awarded both a bursary or fee assistance and a scholarship at the same time. However, if a significant bursary is awarded, parents should not assume that a scholarship will provide additional financial support.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
When you first complete the registration form you tick the box that indicates your interest in a scholarship. All scholars still have to meet our academic entry criteria. We will look for evidence in a scholarship application of outstanding achievement – we only ask a selected number of scholarship candidates to undertake the scholarship assessments so even if you have applied for a scholarship your child might not necessarily be assessed for one.
What are Donation Governors?
Donation Governors are individuals or organisations who generously support Christ’s Hospital through financial contributions.
There is no financial advantage in having a Donation Governor; all applicants must meet Christ’s Hospital’s academic standards and be considered suitable candidates for boarding.
The Admissions Department carefully matches prospective students with Donation Governors during the admissions process.
My child has SEN, what should I do?
Educational, behavioural or other special needs do not preclude application for a place at Christ’s Hospital. We will make reasonable adjustments to enable candidates with SEN to participate in the assessment process and, if successful, will then consider what reasonable adjustments might be made to enable the applicant to thrive at the school. Parents are advised to speak to the school about their child’s SEN before making an application and we kindly ask you let us know in writing on your application form and provide copies of any relevant referrals or reports.
Do you take day students?
We welcome day students who are within a commutable distance from the school.
What goes wrong most often during the admissions process?
- Missing deadlines. We cannot move an application forward through the various stages until we have complete information.
- Moving house or changing email address and forgetting to tell us.
- Providing incomplete or old information.
Where can I find out more?
Do not hesitate to contact us, 01403 246555 / hello@christs-hospital.org.uk
Download our prospectus
Our School Prospectus provides an introduction to life at Christ’s Hospital. You can request a printed copy which includes an application form by completing the form and/or you can download a pdf of the prospectus.
