Ages 
Look closely, parents, and you will observe a cultural shift underway in deepest Surrey. These new Carthusians that you see are still footballers, but now they are footballers who also belt out cheesy American ballads in front of an audience and – goodness gracious – there are even girls, too, playing on that hallowed turf, probably mastering the offside rule as we speak. Charterhouse’s new offering is a tried-and-tested one: more day pupils (tick), more family-friendly boarding (big tick), full coeducation (mega triple tick). We suspect that families in the know will be tapping their toes in delight as this compelling formula brings Charterhouse twirling into a new era with a jazzy flourish.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,030 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 466 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £46,773; Boarding £60,048 pa
- Local authority
- Surrey County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Dr Alex Peterken
Since 2018, Dr Alex Peterken. Previously head of Cheltenham College; before that, a housemaster here for 12 years. PhD in school leadership from Surrey. Got an early taste of what was to come as head boy and head chorister at the Prebendal School,
Entrance
Appeal has broadened since move to co-ed. Entry at 13+ by pre-test and assessment day. Most places offered in year 6; a third held back for late registrations in year 7. Scholarship assessments in year 8.
Register by autumn of year 11 for 16+
- Open days
- Check school website
Exit
Small handful after GCSEs. For year 13s, Exeter is the most popular university. UCL, Durham, Newcastle, King’s College London and Edinburgh also feature, among others. Six to Oxbridge in 2025, and three medics. In 2025, 31 overseas – including to
Latest results
In 2025, 76 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 54 per cent A*/A at A level (83 per cent A*-B). IB average of 37.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Sixth form (‘spec’ here, short for ‘specialist’) teaching cultivates a self-starter approach, setting them up for undergraduate life. ‘If I have a single free, I’ll chat in the buttery, but I’ll get some good work done in a double or triple.’
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
Everyone screened on entry; 14 per cent get SEND support. School ‘getting better’ at understanding individual learners. Teacher differentiation accounts for majority of support though further intervention available. Cogmed training used to develop
Arts & extracurricular
Stop press: jazz hands have arrived at Charterhouse, a school where chapel choirs have traditionally ruled the musical roost. Even in early rehearsals, Legally Blonde looked to be a belter, pupils sounding fully American (‘You’re breaking up with me?
Sport
A glorious patch, 250 acres of playing fields, courts and pitches galore. Football remains a big thing (no rugby, bar the odd informal game of touch); hockey and cricket ‘massive’ too, according to pupils. Early days for girls’ sport, and new
Boarders
Singles, twins or quads in year 9; from year 10, twins or singles; all upper sixth in singles. Some are en-suite, others share bathrooms. Accommodation varies between houses, and it’s worth looking into it if you feel your child would benefit from a
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1611 by Thomas Sutton, merchant and civil servant, who, ‘through shrewd investment became one of the wealthiest men in Jacobean England’ (no wonder they’re all doing economics). First home was Charterhouse Square, near Smithfield, in a
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Carthusians describe themselves as ‘really friendly’. House families – a new initiative – encourage ‘genuine friendships between year groups’. Mixed-house dining – at Oak or Central Dining Room, depending on house location – helps with bonding. ‘I
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Charterhouse’s priority is pupil safety, both individually and collectively; thus, the school adopts an age-appropriate approach to technology, seeking to use the right tool for the right educational task. Devices are school-purchased and restricted, while mobile phones are only allowed at certain times of the day, depending on age and stage. Year 9 and 10 pupils are not permitted smartphones but may have basic “brick phones” to enable communication with their parents. Pupils receive education and training on how learning supports their productivity, while also being encouraged to understand and manage the negative effects of excessive screen time.
Pupils & parents
Most, including boarders, live within an hour. Overseas pupils account for 26 per cent: biggest contingents are from Hong Kong, mainland China, Italy. Growing American market (‘they like the co-ed vibe’).
We spoke to parents from all sorts of
Money matters
Fees in line with similar schools – not quite top of the league, but right up there. Thus school uses both transformational and partial bursaries to keep the demographic broad. Preference goes to those who gain a scholarship or an award. Academic
- Fee information
- Day £46,773; Boarding £60,048 pa
The last word
Look closely, parents, and you will observe a cultural shift underway in deepest Surrey. These new Carthusians that you see are still footballers, but now they are footballers who also belt out cheesy American ballads in front of an audience and –
