Sussex schools: Christ’s Hospital Wins Two Significant Awards For its Contribution to Social Mobility.
Of all our Sussex schools, Christ’s Hospital is unique and has been proving it’s a school like no other since 1552. Now it has two new prestigious awards that recognise the outstanding contribution the school makes to social mobility.
Christ’s Hospital’s core goal
Christ’s Hospital was founded in the 16th century as one of the famous Royal Hospitals of London. From those early beginnings, the school has always welcomed children of all social backgrounds and ages.
Today, Christ’s Hospital is the UK’s leading charitable school and largest bursary charity. Christ’s Hospital’s commitment to its core goal of social responsibility and mobility remains steadfast. It provides free or substantially reduced-cost places to over 630 of its 900 pupils each year, delivering first-class education and exceptional pastoral support, ensuring each pupil has the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. 98% of pupils go on to university.
Making a difference to the community
The school also has an ongoing and extensive outreach programme and proactively aims to make a difference in the local community as well as further afield. The Community Action programme was started in 1987 and involves over 200 pupils each week reaching out to the local community.
National recognition for the school’s achievements
Now the Sussex school’s commitment to social responsibility and mobility has been recognised by two important national awards.
The Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022
The Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022 celebrate all that students, staff and wider school communities have achieved during the 2021-22 academic year.
Judges’ Special Award (for Contribution to Social Mobility)
At the awards ceremony in October, Christ’s Hospital was presented with the Judges’ Special Award (for Contribution to Social Mobility). Presenting the award, Dr Helen Wright (judge, former President of the Girls’ Schools Association and Vice-Chair of ISC) referenced Christ’s Hospital’s, “seriously impressive bursary programme” and described the school has having “social mobility in its very DNA.”.
The Judges’ Special Award (for Contribution to Social Mobility) is awarded to the school which most impressed the judges by the way in which it has made an inspirational and decisive contribution to upward social mobility within its community in the past year as well as demonstrating a philosophical recognition of the importance of social mobility to young people.
The UK Social Mobility Awards 2022
The national UK Social Mobility Awards are a unique set of awards that have been specifically established to recognise and encourage action that will promote and increase social mobility within Britain’s companies and institutions.
More specifically, these awards recognise and celebrate innovation, excellence and achievements that help elevate social mobility as a cause equal to the level of other diversity issues. This year the awards had received the highest number of entries since they were launched in 2017 from across a vast variety of industries.
Highly Commended Gold Award for School / College of the Year
The UK Social Mobility Awards were presented at an Awards Fundraising Gala held at The Royal Lancaster London Hotel on Thursday 13th October, with Christ’s Hospital being given the Gold Award as the Highly Commended School / College of the Year.
On announcing this recognition, Tunde Banjoko OBE, Founder of The UK Social Mobility Awards, added:
“The number and quality of entries we received for this year’s awards is an indication of the increasing significance of social mobility to UK business. I would like to congratulate Christ’s Hospital for achieving a Gold Award in the ‘School/College of the Year’ category and for the inspiring work they are doing to further this important movement.”
Christ’s Hospital is delighted to receive these two significant awards, recognising the ongoing work of everyone at the school and the school’s many achievements. Simon Reid, Head Teacher explained the school’s ongoing determination and commitment to social mobility.
“Christ’s Hospital school is honoured to be a winner amongst so many organisations that are making such a difference to social mobility in the UK. As the UK’s leading charitable school, we have a deep commitment to driving social mobility through first class education and care for students from less advantaged backgrounds. We are determined to enhance our impact and are keen to work with employers and other organisations to support more young people and their families.”
If you’d like to know more about Christ’s Hospital and the unique opportunities it can provide, visit: www.christs-hospital.org.uk
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