Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Lonelymom wrote: I really think that the advantage of this forum is that current parents benefit from the experience of all the OBs (MOST of which is useful ). Plus, this forum is more or less confidential in as much as none of us have to say who we are if we don't want to, but if the school chatroo...

What were the two languages he chose? So he chose one compulsory, then an additional language as one of his choices? Or did he choose to do 3 languages, ie one compulsory and two others as his choices? He chose German as his compulsory modern language, and French as one of his choices - can't recal...

I've just heard from my DS (after some chasing! I gather he can't check or send e-mail except on a Monday as the computer room is locked!) that he hasn't got both his first choice options. I haven't managed to speak to him yet to see how he feels about this, but I'm very disappointed by the news mys...

Onewestguncopse wrote It is the nature of young people to resist change at first, then accept it gradually before embracing the new order as 'tradition' to be defended at all costs! In five years most of the current pupils who knew about the past will have moved on - staff tend to stay for longer bu...

onewestguncopse wrote: Change is not always bad - just takes time getting used to. Couldn't agree more! lonelymom Well, I'm with you both on this one! But ... just because change isn't always bad, that doesn't mean that it's necessarily always good either!! I'd guess it rather depends on your persp...

Now I'm really worried! I completed our financial forms for the next academic year recently, and realised that our net income for 2008-9 was less than it had been in the previous year. We are already expecting another hike in fees, the second of three huge increments based on the ludicrous premise t...

An interesting article, Englishangel. Of course, this illustrates just another of the reasons why CH is unique; because of the charitable nature of the Foundation, funding is often provided to support the poorer families assessed as being unable to pay for music lessons, sports kit and school trips....

I agree with the point made earlier about the school up to this point being able to offer fee reductions that enabled all who wanted to come, to come. We were unique but no longer. Most independent schools are charities and most now are moving all there scholarship money into means tested bursaries...

The foundation has lost a very large sum of money since the start of the recession. The school however still needs to pay bills, staff, redecoration costs and look to the future. This shortfall is not a matter to be ignored, or the school will be obliged to cut staff or close a boarding house. Chal...

Sejintenej wrote: One Catholic school even moved to England because it's existence in France is not allowed ??? I'm pretty sure that the school in Rennes with which an exchange is arranged every year for LE pupils is an independent Catholic school. The state education system in France is certainly s...

Sorry about this folks but a quick look at any of the search sites will reveal simple options for bonds producing 4.5%, before tax. Money being worked, and belive me people with £500k in cash make sure the money is being worked, will produce more than this, even in this climate. In addition, in th...

Dusty wrote: Reading through these posts and others it does seem to me that the CH process is due for a major overall. It is clear (now that I've read this forum!) that CH, despite its huge endowment, is suffering from the Micawber trap of outgoings exceeding incomings. Not due to profligacy but jus...

I'm sure that in previous years Parents Day has been on the same date as Speech Day, usually at the beginning of half term. We've been able to watch the march-past, and then go off to our childrens' Houses for BBQs, picnics or whatever (seems to depend on the House), and then take them home for half...

ReallyMissingHer has said a couple of times now that she re-mortgaged, not to raise capital, but to extend the term of her mortgage (I think she said back to 30 years), which reduced her monthly repayments thus getting them closer to the 12.5% allowed by CH in the fee assessments. Could this be an ...

Just curious, but what is Science Day? Is this an event for OBs? I ask because we have 28 June down as Parents Day. If the two events are simultaneous, we'll be driving up and would be more than happy to give Jo a lift from Billingshurst (or indeed from anywhere else in the neighbourhood of CH!). An...