Charterhouse School ...

Hi! Coming from a Carthusian here: Currently, the school are SERIOUSLY clamping down on equality, diversity, use of the correct and respectful language etc. -The pupil committees and staff have just revised the school charters and added in two more. Of course there are always a few pupils who say/do disrespectful things, but they are severely punished (ie; suspension). So, hopefully, fingers crossed, the next few yeargroups to leave will not continue this image. Most are very interesting people to talk to.

Hi! Coming from a Carthusian here: Currently, the school are SERIOUSLY clamping down on equality, diversity, use of the correct and respectful language etc. -The pupil committees and staff have just revised the school charters and added in two more. Of course there are always a few pupils who say/do disrespectful things, but they are severely punished (ie; suspension). So, hopefully, fingers crossed, the next few yeargroups to leave will not continue this image. Most are very interesting people to talk to.

A friend went there in the late 1980s and had an absolutely horrendous time there: basically had a breakdown. It’s been co Ed for some time. In those days it was pretty horrific, a hotbed of the children of Saudi and African despots etc and vey misogynistic. It may have changed then but I would approach with caution.

My stepson and bil went there - my SS is 30 now so we are talking a few years back.
It was the making of him. He went to Shrewsbury House before, and was a good though not outstanding student. The competitiveness at Charterhouse spurred him on and he upped his game.
We were probably one of the 'poorer' families, there certainly was a lot of privilege there, but the comraderie and affection amongst my SS and his mates was great to see.
He's a lovely young man as were his mates. I'm sure there are some smug so and sos who went there, but I could say there are plenty of not so nice people who went to our local state school too.

I read some mixed reviews on the school. my DS has his interview & activity session(13+) in Feb this year. Would be helpful if anyone from previous years can shed some light on how's the day is going to be like for Interview q's(is it individual or group interview) & what sort of activity is done ? Thanks in advance

Thanks @bookgirl1982

@Coronateachingagain the school is run by a charitable trust and the governors are listed on the website.

Can someone confirm if this school is now owned by a Chinese consortium, who are the ultimate owners?

Hi @Janeyjane38 , my DS has been invited for interview at charterhouse. I would like to know more about interview & activity session held for boys for entry to year 9.
I will appreciate if some information can be shared.

Read some good comments and your insight about the school... as we are currently thinking of applying to charter house just gathering information about the school as we can’t at the moment go to school to see it in action. My son will be appearing for exam joining 13+ In 2023... a lot will be changed as they are making it co-Ed from 2021 intake. Which is brilliant & I feel boys should be having a good balance to socialise with boys & girls And understand how to approach & behave with a girl. Apart from this, my question is for a day boarder as my son wants to at home rather boarding, Are the day boarders put all together in the one house or are they mixed with boarding pupils with other houses ?
Secondly, my question on interview & activity day; can anyone give me a more insight about it please how it is going to be, I am just an anxious mum preparing much in advance for this year Autumn term exam & then Interview as we are applying late under Headmasters list 25% intake.
I will appreciate if anyone can guide through. Many thanks in advance

Thank you to parents who have children there who have posted constructively .. very helpful .

I've visited a few times as we were considering it for DD. It doesn't have enough day boarders for us and it did come across as very traditional and a little stuck in its ways. I have heard however that the new HM has been brought in to implement change (not just take it to full coed) and it is very much one to watch. Were we looking for weekly or full boarding it would definitely be on our list.

My DS has just finished year 9 and loved it and can't wait to go back. The teachers and houses are great and there is emphasis not only only on academics but sport and extra-curricular stuff. Yes, there are some wealthy individuals, but we are not (we're making very big scraifices) but do not feel out of place at all.

So to say, 'I don't think much has changed and most boys I've met who are there or men who have gone there are not very nice people. Entitled and smug without much else' is a generalisation at best and frankly rude at worst. I doubt any of the boys there would be taught to make such sweeping judgemental comments on something they have never been involved with first hand. On the contrary - respectful and tolerant of other systems more like.

I have heard they have sold out to a for profit Chinese company who plan to open dozens of charterhouse schools across China. A bit different to what other schools have done (where one or two or a few schools have proper partnerships), but if it bring cash into charterhouse UK, that could be seen as a positive?

Ought to add that the school is taking steps to ensure the school shall be a proper co-ed boarding school and not just a boys school that takes girls; by way of example, centrally located football pitches are being turned over to be used by the girls for their sport.

I have 2 children at Charterhouse and do not recognise some of what has been written above. The school places emphasis on the academics and boys have to pass an entry test and interview; regular reports/grades are posted online for parents and are discussed with tutors.

Outside the classroom, the standard of sports is very high (it obviously varies from year to year - but, for example, one cricket A team was unbeaten, seeing off Eton, Harrow, Radley, Wellington, Tonbridge etc). It is a football school so size need not matter in the same way it does at the rugby-playing schools. Pretty much every sport you would want is on offer, with ex-international players coaching major sports.

Pupils are also expected to engage in a wide range of artistic and cultural activities and there is an impressive choice of societies to join. Again, these activities are discussed with tutors in regular meetings.

Some pupils are from very wealthy backgrounds, but most are from the more traditional public-school background (still relatively well-off, of course). Geographically, most are from the Home Counties and London, with some foreign students (although no more - or fewer - than most similar schools I'd say).

There is a new HM who seems to have hit the ground running, and the school will be 1,000 strong when fully co-ed in a couple of years - rather than reducing the number of boys to make space for more girls, the school is building new houses to accommodate the extra pupils. The boys seem to be looking forward to the arrival of more girls.

The house system is strong, with houses varying in character depending on house-master and reputation. Though some of the 1970s houses do not look great from the outside, they actually work on the inside and the fact they are located near each other encourages inter-house friendships. The main school is one of the most beautiful you will find, and the cricket and football pitches cannot be bettered.

Socially, there is a lot going on, in and out of school. Discipline is strict - and they are super aware of any bullying. Pupils are also made aware of how lucky they are, and engage in social programmes.

All in all, a pretty impressive traditional but forward-thinking school. Pupils are kept on their toes and, from what I have seen thus far, turn out very rounded and very well on the whole. My hunch is that the school is going from strength to strength, and will be even harder to get into once fully co-ed.

I must add, i know a girl currently there who is very happy and, importantly, so are her parents!

Back in my day (a long time ago, granted) the boarding kids were bored out of their heads and got into pot in a major way! Hopefully nowadays the school keeps them entertained.

Doubt that Charterhouse want to be reminded of Mr Lineker or his son..

And having opened up with a few digs and inviting everyone else to pitch in, the OP never returns.

I do question the motives of people who behave like this.

I know it is co ed now I think. That gary linekers children went here. That the 8 year old boy from the britains youngest boarders documentary about sunningdale school ended up here.

I know some lovely Surrey families that send their DS and DD(currently VI Form) there and are very happy..facilities are amazing. I suppose you will get a few highly privileged DSs there..... but definitely the minority. Interested to watch for my DDs when goes co-Ed ..... hear good things locally about head.