Christ's Hospital

Christ's Hospital (also popularly known as the Blue-coat School) is a school which is now in Horsham, West Sussex, United Kingdom, and was formerly in London.

History

It was founded by Edward VI in 1552, shortly before the boy king died, in response to a sermon from Nicholas Ridley concerning the problem of vagrant children in London. Opened as a co-educational establishment in the City of London in the former Greyfriars monastic buildings, the Royal, Religious and Ancient Foundation soon outgrew its accommodation, and satellite institutions were used (especially in times of fire or epidemic).

Related Topics:
Edward VI - 1552 - Nicholas Ridley - City of London

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Charles II of England granted a charter in 1673 to provide for the foundation of the Royal Mathematical School within Christ's Hospital. The intention was to train poor boys in mathematical and scientific skills that would prove useful in navigation and trade and to supply apprentices to merchant and trading companies involved in the exploration and mercantile expansion of the emerging British Empire. John Flamsteed was among the first to teach astronomy to pupils at the school. The current Head of the RMS is Mr Alan Smith.

Related Topics:
Charles II of England - 1673 - Mathematical - Navigation - John Flamsteed - Astronomy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The girls' school moved to Hertford in the 18th century.

Related Topics:
Hertford - 18th century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A great deal of the architectual work done in the 19th Century was by the father and son partnership, John Shaw Senior and John Shaw Junior http://www.shaw-hardwick.co.uk.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The boys' school moved to the present location in 1902. The London site was taken over by the Post Office and St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The new buildings in Sussex were desgined by Aston Webb and Ingress Bell. The boys' and girls' school re-unified in 1985. Among artworks to be seen at the schools are a monumental frieze painted by Antonio Verrio, and the largest unsupported roof in Europe in the dining hall, and a series of mural panels in the chapel by Frank Brangwyn.

Related Topics:
1902 - St. Bartholomew's Hospital - Aston Webb - Ingress Bell - 1985 - Antonio Verrio - Chapel - Frank Brangwyn

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2005, Christ's Hospital became the setting of the reality television series Rock School. The series, aired in Autumn2005 on Channel 4 in the U.K. and the cable music channel VH1 in the U.S, Involves former KISS star Gene Simmons teaching at the school, showing 13 to 14 year olds how to become rockers.

Related Topics:
Reality television - Rock School - 2005 - Channel 4 - Cable - VH1 - KISS - Gene Simmons

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~