The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, is to visit Christ’s Hospital School, near Horsham, on Friday 4 March.
During his visit the archbishop is due to meet with pupils over lunch, as well as to watch the school’s famous lunchtime band parade.
Archbishop Welby will then lead two informal sessions in the school chapel, one for junior and one for senior pupils. Pupils will have the opportunity to hear him speak and to ask him questions.
Senior Chaplain of Christ’s Hospital, Craig Huxley-Jones, said: ‘We are delighted to be welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury to Christ’s Hospital! The Christian faith was the inspiration for our founding nearly 500 years ago and it remains the inspiration for our work today, so to have Archbishop Justin amongst us to encourage us is a real thrill.’
After graduating from Cambridge University, Archbishop Welby worked in the oil industry for eleven years before becoming a parish priest. He has experienced family trauma and tragedy in his personal life, and as Archbishop, has officiated at the funeral of Margaret Thatcher, christened the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, married the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and christened their son.
Simon Reid, Head Teacher of Christ’s Hospital, said: ‘We are very proud of our mission at Christ’s Hospital which began in 1552 and carries on today: to challenge disadvantage through transformative education. We very much look forward to Archbishop Welby’s visit and to showing him what Christ’s Hospital is about.’
