UK Boarding Schools | Independent Schools | Private Schools

Charterhouse was founded in London in 1611, and moved to a 200-acre site in Godalming in 1872. The magnificent Victorian buildings are full of character, and the Memorial Chapel is notable for its austere splendour. More modern developments provide excellent facilities for the very wide variety of activities which a boarding school can provide.

Academic
Excellent classrooms and science laboratories, the new Modern Languages Centre and the Beveridge Centre for Social Science, the Music School, Art Studio, Ben Travers Theatre, Technology Centre and IT rooms provide ideal teaching facilities for the staff of over 100. The emphasis is on developing independent and enquiring minds, not simply on fulfilling the requirements of public examinations. Academic results are excellent, and nearly all pupils progress to good British universities or similar institutions elsewhere, with 20 to 30 a year going to Oxbridge. A-levels have now been replaced in most subjects by the Cambridge Pre-U, which is a more discriminating exam well suited to high-quality pupils. The IB Diploma Programme is offered as an alternative to Pre-U to allow pupils a choice between two different but interesting and challenging courses of study.

Boarding
Twelve houses provide comfortable, modern accommodation. All have been recently refurbished, and most pupils have single study-bedrooms. Pastoral care is a very high priority; housemasters and matrons reside in the houses and are assisted by teams of tutors. Girls, who enter in the sixth form, are fully integrated into the houses, where they have day studies, and have their own comfortable overnight accommodation.

Extracurricular activities
Extracurricular activities have a high profile, and pupils are encouraged to develop a variety of interests. Music, art, technology and drama are popular and successful, with work of the highest quality from the most talented, and wide participation from others of all abilities. A remarkable variety of games are played, with school teams at all levels, and a large number of house matches for those who wish to participate. The Queen’s Sports Centre, three AstroTurf pitches and new tennis courts complement many acres of playing fields.

Entry requirements and scholarships
Most boys enter at 13 from prep schools, after success in the Foundation Scholarship or Common Entrance exams, but applications are welcomed from boys at other schools and overseas, who take tests set by the School. There are many scholarships and awards (academic, music, art, all-rounder and sport), and a number of bursaries for pupils whose parents are unable to afford the fees. About 20 boys and 50 girls enter the sixth form each year after testing at Charterhouse in November.

"Ambitious for every child"

Scholarships and bursaries
There are many scholarships and awards (academic, music, art, all-rounder and sport), and a limited number of bursaries for pupils whose parents cannot afford the fees.