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Charterhouse

United Kingdom, Godalming

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £63,045
Ages 13 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 998
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1611
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP)
Taught languages French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, Latin
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Charterhouse is a historic, co-educational boarding and day school for 13–18-year-olds set on a 250-acre campus in Godalming, Surrey. It offers Cambridge IGCSE, A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form, with entry and progression arranged through Sixth Form registration. Founded in 1611, Charterhouse moved from London to its current site in 1872, and its archives reflect a long tradition of scholarships and public service. The campus blends historic and modern buildings, extensive lawns and dedicated facilities for sport, arts, science and learning. On site you will find 17 grass pitches, 3 AstroTurf pitches, an athletics stadium, a sports centre, 24 tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course. Academic spaces include the Art & Design Studio, biology labs, design engineering workshops, the Library and a music technology suite. The Ben Travers Theatre anchors a rich performing arts program, supported by language and culture societies and outreach.

Charterhouse, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2DX, United Kingdom

The Essentials

Charterhouse has 998 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Charterhouse is located in Godalming, Surrey, England (GU7 2DX). The nearest rail link is Godalming Station on the London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour line.

Stages
Ages 13-18; Senior School with Sixth Form (Specialists).

Type
Co-ed; boarding and day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Pupils from over 40 countries.

Additional learning support
Learning Support and EAL are provided, with dedicated staff and options for one-to-one or small-group sessions; weekly subject clinics and tutor support are available to pupils.

Country affiliation
England, United Kingdom

Bus service
London bus service runs on Sunday evenings from London to Charterhouse, with online booking available.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school offers both day and boarding places. Boarding is overseen by dedicated house teams providing 24‑hour care, guidance and support. Boarding pupils have access to an evening and weekend activity programme and time for rest and study; they may return home after fixtures on Saturdays, usually returning to School on Sunday evening.

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is gender neutral and allocated on a House basis. All school uniform and sports kit are ordered online from School Blazer and Premier Sports; items are named or name-labelled and lists are provided through the School Shop and official suppliers.

Food Options
Food is central to the boarding experience. Meals are freshly prepared on-site with a diverse, nutritious menu; menus rotate on a three‑week cycle and accommodate dietary requirements including lactose intolerance, gluten‑free and Halal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered, and a nutritionist provides on‑campus guidance on healthy eating.

House System
Every pupil joins one of Charterhouse's 15 Houses; the House is the centre of life with a strong sense of identity and community. Houses are run by a Head of House with a pastoral team and a House tutor; there are extensive inter‑House competitions across sport, music, drama and more, and day pupils are fully integrated into the House system.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Governing Body. The Head and CEO is Dr Alex Peterken. The Chair of the Governing Body is Mr Mark Bishop. The Staff Contact List identifies key governance roles, including the Director of Estates, illustrating the school's leadership structure.
Fees

Annual tuition at Charterhouse ranges from GBP 63,045 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fees
- A non‑refundable registration (application) fee of £420.00 (inclusive of VAT) is payable at time of registration.
- An acceptance deposit is required to secure an offered place; families are asked to pay this deposit within eight weeks of an offer being made (the published material does not state a standard deposit amount).

Tuition fees (termly and annual amounts) — 2026/27
- Boarding: £21,015 per term. Annual equivalent (three terms per academic year): £63,045.
- Day: £16,369 per term. Annual equivalent (three terms per academic year): £49,107.
- The published termly rates are shown as the School's standard fee levels for 2026/27; no separate per‑year‑group (age‑banded) fee schedule is published alongside these headline termly rates.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are expressed on a termly basis and the School operates on a three‑term academic calendar (Autumn/Long/Summer term structure). Billing is therefore termly (three billings per academic year).
- Specific invoice issue dates, payment due dates, acceptable payment methods, options for instalments or direct debit, and penalties for late payment are not published in the headline fee information. The School publishes a more detailed schedule on request.

Boarding fees and scope
- The boarding fee shown (£21,015 termly) is the School's published termly boarding charge for 2026/27. The headline figure is presented as a single termly boarding fee; a detailed breakdown of what is included (for example accommodation, meals, laundry, house activities) is not published alongside the headline rate.

Other costs and typical extras
- Registration/acceptance fees and the termly tuition figures above are the principal published charges.
- Uniform and sports clothing are purchased separately. Uniform is available from the School's authorised supplier and via the School Shop; a Uniform and Equipment list for 2026–27 is published for parents.
- Bursary guidance notes that, where applicable, additional support may be provided to assist with uniform, travel, or extracurricular costs; bursaries are means‑tested and awards are subject to available funds.
- The School Shop supplies stationery, kit, tuck and other everyday items; these purchases are additional to tuition/boarding fees.

Refunds and withdrawal / notice information
- No public, detailed refund policy, withdrawal notice period, or formula for refunding tuition already paid (for example where a pupil leaves part‑way through a term) is published in the headline fee material. The School notes that a detailed schedule of fees and associated terms is available on request.

Fee payment options (credit card / bank transfer / instalments)
- The School's headline fee pages do not list accepted payment methods or the specific ways fees may be paid (credit card, bank transfer, direct debit, cheque or online payment portal). Parents are referred to the detailed fee schedule and the Admissions/Finance office for the complete payment options and terms.

Notes on assistance with fees
- Means‑tested bursaries are available and can cover up to 100% of school fees depending on assessed need; bursary awards are reviewed annually. Bursary awards can, in some cases, include additional support for uniform, travel and extracurricular costs. Application steps and assessment are published for bursary applicants.

Summary of gaps in the published material
- Headline termly and annual fees (Boarding and Day) and the registration fee are published for 2026/27.
- Detailed items that are not published in the publicly visible headline fees pages include: the precise acceptance deposit amount, the invoice dates and payment deadlines, acceptable payment methods, any available instalment plans and their terms, a full list of additional chargeable items (trips, instrument hire, exams, medical charges, etc.) and the School's formal refund/withdrawal notice wording. These details are referenced as available in the School's more detailed fee schedule or via Admissions/Finance contact.
Academics

Charterhouse teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, IB (DP) for students aged 13 to 18.

Curriculum
Two world-leading curricula are offered in the Sixth Form: A Level and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Pupils study either A Levels or IBDP, and join as boarders or day pupils. The school offers the A Level or IBDP framework, with entry and progression arranged through Sixth Form registration.

Exam Results
IBDP Results 2025: 63% of the IB cohort achieved 37+ points, equal to A*AA at A Level. GCSE Results 2025: Over 75% of all exams were awarded grades 7–9, equivalent to the former A/A*.

Higher Education Progression
The majority of Charterhouse pupils leave Charterhouse to study at the most competitive and prestigious universities in the UK, the US and Europe. The 2024 leavers took places at top universities in the UK, US and around the world, with over 80% gaining a place at their firm choice and nearly 85% of UK applicants attending Russell Group universities, with Durham, UCL, and King's College London among the popular destinations along with Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial.

Gifted and Talented
Academic Scholars Pathway is an enrichment programme for exceptional academic potential, offering a series of intellectually challenging events and experiences to support and inspire pupils as they prepare to sit for Academic Scholarship.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Charterhouse provides a school-wide ethos that combines high academic challenge with encouragement and curiosity, aiming to develop pupils who are capable, reflective, and generous in spirit. The approach emphasizes intellectual ambition, resilience, and transferable skills to prepare for elite universities and tomorrow's world.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Charterhouse offers a comprehensive learning environment with broad curricular flexibility and accompanying support; specialist staff contribute to this provision within the Sixth Form and Across the School.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction and curriculum delivery across the school; English language support is part of the school's provision for pupils who require it, including EAL support as relevant to individual needs.

Mental Wellbeing
A safe, fully enclosed 250‑acre campus supports pupil wellbeing, with on-site staff and house teams contributing to daily wellbeing and pastoral care across both day and boarding communities.

Safeguarding
Pastoral and safeguarding policies are in place as part of Charterhouse's safeguarding framework, with dedicated safeguarding contacts and guidelines available to families and staff.
Parent Experience

History
Charterhouse is one of the great historic schools of England and among the most beautiful. It was founded in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, who held high public office. The School moved from London to Godalming in 1872. The Charterhouse Archive (in Godalming) contains the School's records from 1872 onward, while earlier records are held in the London Metropolitan Archive. Scholarships have been at the heart of Charterhouse's mission since its founding in 1611.

Community
The Charterhouse Community centers on long‑lasting connections among pupils, alumni, parents and staff. Charterhouse Connect is the official global networking platform for the alumni and School community, and it includes parents. The Events programme brings the community together with professional networking receptions, lectures, and the flagship Charterhouse Inspires event, as well as musical performances, reunions and social gatherings. Old Carthians (OC) clubs are run by volunteers to keep alumni engaged through sports, culture and social activities. Parents are welcomed into school life and encouraged to stay involved long after their children have left, with a parent network and a calendar of School events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Charterhouse has an active parent network that engages as partners in their child's education and as active members of the wider school community. Through the parent network, families build friendships and professional connections and take part in a rich calendar of School events. Charterhouse Connect enables parents to connect with Old Carthusians and senior pupils to stay connected with the School. Parents can offer professional advice and mentoring through the Charterhouse community and engage with a range of groups and activities. The network provides opportunities for parents to contribute to Charterhouse life beyond the classroom and to form enduring connections across industries.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Charterhouse sits on a 250-acre campus with historic and modern buildings and extensive lawns and gardens. The site includes 17 grass sports pitches, 3 full-size AstroTurf pitches, an athletics stadium and a sports centre. There are 24 tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course on site. The grounds and facilities support a broad range of activities, combining traditional boarding spaces with modern teaching and recreation spaces. The campus offers a variety of outdoor and indoor spaces for study and enrichment.

Sports Facilities
There are 17 grass pitches and 3 full-size AstroTurf pitches. An athletics stadium and a dedicated sports centre provide indoor and on-site sport facilities. The campus includes 24 tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course. The combination of outdoor and indoor facilities supports competitive and recreational sport. The sports facilities are designed to accommodate a wide range of sporting activities.

Academic Facilities
The Art & Design Department is housed in a Studio, a purpose-designed building with spaces for painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fashion/textiles and digital work. Biology teaching laboratories are modern and well-equipped, with historic specimens and advanced microscopes and electrophoresis equipment. Design Engineering uses workshops and robotics equipment, with opportunities to engage in national STEM competitions. The Library provides a broad collection of books, journals and newspapers to support reading and research across subjects. The Music Department has a music technology suite and offers Year 9 compulsory music with GCSE and IB options. The Modern Languages Department offers French, German and Spanish, with Mandarin and Italian available within the IB Diploma Programme, plus language societies and related activities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Drama & Theatre Studies is supported by the Ben Travers Theatre and includes LAMDA, pupil productions, house plays and backstage roles. The extra-curricular program spans extensive co-curricular opportunities, with involvement in national STEM competitions and the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. Language societies are run by Sixth Form pupils to enhance cultural engagement. Outside lectures, film screenings, plays and exhibitions, as well as trips abroad and arranged exchanges, broaden learning experiences. Additional clubs and activities across sport, music and arts provide a wide range of options for all pupils.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a high-challenge, high-encouragement learning environment. The school's teaching inspires intellectual ambition, nurtures determination, and promotes curiosity, with interactions that foster reflection and generosity of spirit. The school maintains the highest academic standards and aims to help every pupil achieve their full potential, supporting exam success and progression to elite universities. The school provides HPQ and EPQ to develop independent research, time management, and presentation skills, topics range from scientific investigations to creative projects, and universities highly value these qualifications.

Arts & Creative
The school has a long-standing Performing Arts tradition with spaces such as the Ben Travers Theatre and other venues across the site. Each term includes at least one major production, with opportunities to perform on stage or work behind the scenes, and visiting professional companies contribute workshops. The Music department offers expert tuition, diverse ensembles and performances—from orchestras and jazz bands to choir and chamber music—alongside opportunities like House Singing and Chapel Choirs. The school fosters creativity across dance, drama, music, and design, supported by dedicated facilities and staff.

Cultural & Language
The school runs a wide range of Floreat clubs and societies that extend learning beyond the classroom. Floreat categories cover architecture, art history, debating, languages, and science, with pupils encouraged to start new groups in the Sixth Form. The school supports language and cultural societies including French Culture Society, French Debating Club, Sanskrit Society, Ukraine Society, and Model United Nations. The diversity of clubs enables pupils to engage with different cultures, ideas and global perspectives.

Social & Hobbies
The school offers a broad social and hobby landscape through Clubs & Societies, including Chess Club, Debating, Esports, Film Production, Groundlings Theatre Group, and a range of charity initiatives. The Floreat framework categorises clubs into making, thinking, playing and being, encouraging hands-on creativity, critical thinking and teamwork. Pupils are encouraged to initiate new groups and lead in the Sixth Form, building leadership and collaboration. These clubs span creative, academic, recreational and social interests, enhancing the wider school community.

Community & Service
Service is central to life at Charterhouse — shaping character, building community, and inspiring action. Pupils lead from the front: volunteering locally, raising funds, mentoring younger pupils, supporting charities and driving outreach. Through our Charities and Inclusion Committees, pupils coordinate regular campaigns, awareness days and collections for local and global causes. The motto Deo Dante Dedi underlines responsibility to contribute to society and to act with kindness and leadership.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership is a defining part of life at Charterhouse. It begins with everyday actions—mentoring younger pupils, contributing to House life, and setting the tone in teams and clubs. As pupils progress, Specialists (Sixth Form) can apply for senior roles such as Monitor, Head of House or Chair of a Pupil Action Committee. There are ten Pupil Action Committees (PACs) focusing on areas such as Sustainability, Wellbeing, Inclusion, Safeguarding and Co-curricular; PACs are led by senior pupils and open to volunteers from every year group.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing is integrated into life at Charterhouse through its co-curricular offer and outdoor learning. The Outdoor Education programme provides a diverse range of activities, including CCF, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, riding, sailing, paddle sports and scuba diving, plus adventure weekends. These experiences foster resilience, teamwork, and physical and mental wellbeing, while supporting overall personal development. The school also hosts a variety of clubs and activities that contribute to fitness, balance, and a healthy lifestyle.
Languages

Language Provision
French, German and Spanish are offered; Sixth Form pupils can study Mandarin and Italian within the IB Diploma Programme. The department uses language assistants to support oral work and to develop confident communication in the target language; it pursues a disciplined approach to language learning beyond exam board requirements.

Immersion Programs
Trips abroad and arranged exchanges; language societies run by Sixth Form pupils; language-focused enrichment activities.
Admissions

Admissions
The school is academically selective. Admission is by competitive assessment, interview, and a reference from the candidate's current school. UK Year 7 entry follows a single pathway: all registered candidates sit the ISEB Common Pre-test in Autumn Term of Year 6 (Maths, English, Verbal and Non‑Verbal Reasoning); results are reviewed with a reference. Successful candidates are invited to an Interview and Activities Assessment in Spring Term Year 6, after which offers are communicated in March; offer holders sign one contract and pay a deposit to secure the place. Some offers may be placed on a reserve list. International applicants join via dedicated pathways: Year 7 international entry provides a streamlined admissions process through prep schools Edgeborough, Windlesham House or Amesbury; overseas candidates sit the ISEB Pre-test in Autumn Term of Year 7 with results shared in December and are invited to Interview and Activities Assessment in the Spring Term. For Year 9 entry, a Year 8 pathway offers limited places for international families; Hong Kong/Mainland China candidates apply through Academic Asia and may be interviewed at events in Hong Kong. Some candidates may be invited to join the Academic Scholars Pathway; a range of 13+ Scholarships is offered, awarded on merit, and may be supported by bursaries where needed.

Scholarships
Applicants are invited to apply for 13+ Scholarships during Year 8; scholarships are merit‑based and awarded through open competition, with bursaries available if needed. Overseas candidates can request to take scholarship assessments online; assessments typically occur 9–12 November 2026. The Academic Scholars Pathway may be offered to exceptional candidates.

Waitlist
Some candidates may be offered a place on a reserve list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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