Prestigious Sussex school wants to give Littlehampton pupils access to the opportunities it offers

For nearly 500 years, independent boarding school Christ’s Hospital in Horsham has sought to open doors for young people from all backgrounds, combining academic ambition with social purpose.

More than three quarters of students at the fee-paying school receive some form of financial support. The school provides millions of pounds in fee assistance each year, in a bid to help talented young people access the opportunities the school offers, regardless of financial circumstance.

For head teacher Matthew Judd, widening access is not simply part of the school’s history – it is central to its future. “Christ’s Hospital was built on a radical idea,” he said.

“That talent and potential exist everywhere, but opportunity does not. Nearly five centuries later, that belief remains at the heart of all we do.

“Our bursary programme allows us to open doors for talented young people who may never otherwise have considered a school like ours. What matters most is not where a child comes from, but where they are capable of going.”

That spirit of possibility shapes life across the school. While Christ’s Hospital is known for its distinctive traditions, its focus remains firmly on preparing young people for the future.

Mr Judd added: “Education here is about transformation – not simply adding grades to a CV, but enriching lives.”

Christ’s Hospital students consistently progress to some of the world’s leading universities and courses. In 2025, ten leavers secured places at Oxford and Cambridge, while others progressed to leading universities including Imperial College London, Warwick, Bristol and Durham.

Looking ahead, members of the current Year 12 cohort have already received outstanding offers for 2026 entry, including two students awarded full scholarships to Harvard University and another securing a place on Dyson’s prestigious degree apprenticeship programme.

Head girl Hetty, who has been offered a place at Harvard University to study Mechanical Engineering, said on hearing the news: “I actually found out I’d been accepted while I was on the school Art Trip to New York, at a basketball match. It was very surreal.”

For families across West Sussex, Christ’s Hospital remains committed to the principle on which it was founded nearly 500 years ago – that exceptional young people should never be limited by circumstance.

Families interested in learning more about Christ’s Hospital, including bursaries for day and boarding students, are encouraged to visit the school’s website and attend an open morning to experience the school first-hand.

Matthew Judd added: “Christ’s Hospital offers something rare: a community rooted in history, animated by purpose, scholarly, socially diverse and genuinely transformational.”