The Great Schools of England: the dining-hall at Christs Hospital...singing a hymn, 1862. Founded in the 16th century, Christs Hospital is one of the oldest boarding schools in England. It was originally set up as a charitable school to educate Londons poor children, and is unusual among British independent schools in that the majority of the students receive bursaries. Fees are paid on a means-tested basis. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.