Charterhouse School ...

SleightofMind 30-odd years ago!

I had sons there between 2006 and 2016 and overall I (and they) were very happy with the school. There were some over-privileged boys (showbiz/oligarch parents) but there were an awful lot of relatively normal and down-to-earth families too, and they were in the majority of those I came across with my sons' friends. The pastoral care was good, and I think that applied across the board generally, but obviously every house differs to some degree, depending on the housemaster and matron.

Both my boys came out with good results - I did hear that variations in the league tables had something to do with the fact that they offered IGCSE and IB, which affected the ratings, but that's something you might want to look more closely at.

I might(!) be biased, but I'd say my DSs and their peers came through the Charterhouse system well-grounded, personable and very far from entitled and smug. As with every school, you'll get as many variations going in as coming out - sweeping generalisations aren't generally true or helpful.

JulianDickGeorgeAndTimmy

Went co for VI form two years before my year.
Very close to my parents house so I thought I ought to have a look. Stayed for a weekend to do scholarship exams and remember being very unimpressed

As I said, 20 odd years ago.

Of course I would never automatically reject working with someone because of where they have gone to school. Never. But, equally I don't choose to work with someone because of where they went to school. I've worked with people from all types of backgrounds. It's about talent and the development of that talent. IME the best most interesting creatives, artists, actors, directors, writers, the visionaries etc do not come from elite schools. And I do believe that is because of the narrowness of the intake in the private sector. Kids learn as much from each other as they do from their institution, probably more from each other. The privilege and entitlement mentality that often goes along with privately educated kids often shoots them in the foot. Yes, schools do have bursaries for kids, but I question your 20% figure (depends on the school) and I would say, 20% of bursaries in a private sector of less that 10% of the population of students is a very small amount. For this reason, I ask in what way do you think it will deliver? Because, I don't think it does in my field.

This looks like one of those dodgy threads that pop up occassionally just to invite criticisism. They annoy me because most people posting on MN are trying to be helpful.

OP - there have been some positive comments from recent parents on other threads if you search around. Their A level results dipped significantly last year so I would want to ask about that. But A levels did the same at DDs school which was due to the ridiculous amount of unconditional offers made by very good unis and the pupils giving themselves a year off. CH may have had a similar problem.

I have no knowledge of or interest in Charterhouse but - goodness me, Notenoughsleepmumof3 you make some very sweeping statements.

How on earth can you be sure that every independent school pupil has been living in a very specific bubble that can stunt them as artists and creators? The best such schools are very aware of trying to build a school community that is diverse in as many ways as possible. Because that's what makes the place exciting and progressive. Are you honestly saying that the 20% of pupils on bursaries at the country's most famous school (for instance) would all automatically be rejected by you - without further enquiry? Even though some of them may actually be poorer than anyone you currently socialise with? And even though they spend only a proportion of their life at school.

No. I was offered (and declined) a place in the Sixth form for 2 years culminating in A Levels in 1986.

"I had a look at Charterhouse for VI form but decided to stay at my school instead.
The girls were a bit vacuous and the boys a bit and childish.

This was nearly 20 years ago though!"

Are you sure it is the same school - I thought Charterhouse had only recently gone Co Ed?

My recent experience of Charterhouse- great education, diverse groups of boys, big on participation and disciplined. We like it obviously but have heard some of the houses are a bit much - nothing specific. The all co-ed starting in a few years is expected to be a good and "softening" thing for the boys. I like the expansions and the education and the social activities and the trip opportunities.

GregoryPeckingDuck, in what way do you mean deliver. I'm a professional in the arts and there is a real shift away from hiring elitist school graduates with regard to actors, directors, designers, writers, etc. IME kids who come from these schools may be well-educated in the literature of drama and have seen more productions than some other kids, but they have been living in a very specific bubble that can stunt them as artists and creators. So while a school may spend loads of money on a department with state of the art facilities, it may not really prepare them for a career in the arts because of the narrowness of the community with which they are being educated. If this is the direction you think your child is going in, you are better off finding a more well-rounded school with a diverse (ethnically and economically) intake of students. IE go for a good school with a great English department and a good drama teacher, then get them involved in your local youth theatre.

Watching with interest. Their drama department seems well funded and geberally much talked about. Does it actually deliver?

I had a look at Charterhouse for VI form but decided to stay at my school instead.
The girls were a bit vacuous and the boys a bit and childish.

This was nearly 20 years ago though!

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.