The Ghosts of Christ’s Hospital School

Christ’s Hospital, often called the Bluecoat School for its distinctive Tudor-era uniform, moved to its Horsham site in 1902. The school has educated pupils since 1552, and some of those former students appear never to have truly left.

The School

Christ’s Hospital was founded by Edward VI in 1552 to educate poor children in London. In 1902, it moved to a purpose-built campus near Horsham, designed by Aston Webb. The grand buildings in the Arts and Crafts style house around 900 pupils.

The Tudor Boy

Despite the Horsham campus dating only from 1902, a boy in Tudor-era Bluecoat uniform has been seen in the grounds. This anachronistic ghost may have attached himself to the school rather than the location, following it from its London origins.

The Music Block Ghost

The school’s music department has generated numerous reports of unusual activity. Piano music has been heard from empty rooms. Doors open and close on their own. Some suggest a former music teacher continues to conduct lessons.

The Founder’s Ghost

A figure resembling portraits of Edward VI has been reported near the chapel. The young king died at fifteen, three years after founding the school. His continued interest in his charitable foundation is perhaps understandable.

The Library Presence

The school library, housed in a beautiful building, has an atmosphere that many find unusual. Books have been found moved overnight. Footsteps are heard in the stacks when the library is empty. Some students avoid studying there after dark.

Assessment

Christ’s Hospital’s combination of long history and strong institutional identity may create conditions for haunting that transcend physical location. The school’s traditions and the intensity of the boarding school experience could leave spiritual impressions.