Charterhouse
Godalming, Surrey · GU7 2DX
AAB+ A-level
23.4%
9–7 GCSE
66.7%
Day fees
£47k
Inspection
Not yet inspected
Charterhouse is one of England's nine original Clarendon public schools, founded in London in 1611 and relocated to its commanding 250-acre estate above Godalming in 1872. It offers a distinctive blend of deep tradition and genuine forward-thinking, encapsulated in its 'FutureU' programme and dual offer of A Levels and the IB Diploma. The school became fully coeducational in 2021, admitting girls throughout the school, and retains a strong boarding ethos with over 85% of pupils boarding. Its architecture, art collections, and cultural life give it an atmosphere closer to a small university than a conventional school.
- →Outstanding breadth of provision — from elite sport to professional-standard music, theatre, and visual arts under one roof
- →Genuine choice at sixth form between A Levels and IB Diploma, with strong university placement records for both
- →The 'Artifex' creative arts centre and 'FutureU' careers and futures programme represent serious institutional investment in pupil development beyond exams
- →Prestigious heritage and global OC network, combined with recent coeducation and modernisation signal a school actively evolving
Who thrives here
Pupils who are intellectually curious, confident, and ready to throw themselves into a busy boarding life across academics, arts, and sport will thrive at Charterhouse. The school suits those who want genuine breadth rather than a purely exam-focused environment.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Charterhouse
Godalming, Surrey
GU7 2DX
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Peter Gabriel
Rock musician, founder of Genesis
Ralph Halpern
Businessman, former CEO of Burton Group
Max Beerbohm
Essayist and caricaturist
Robert Baden-Powell
Founder of the Scout movement
William Makepeace Thackeray
Victorian novelist, author of Vanity Fair
Jonathan Lynn
Co-writer of Yes Minister, film director
Addison Wesley
Essayist and co-founder of The Spectator
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Charterhouse?
Day fees at Charterhouse are approximately £46,773 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Charterhouse?
Charterhouse admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Charterhouse's exam results?
At Charterhouse, 23.4% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 66.7% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Charterhouse a boarding school?
Charterhouse offers boarding as well as day places.
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓The breadth and quality of co-curricular life — particularly music, drama, and sport — is consistently praised as genuinely outstanding rather than performative
✓Housemasters and Housemistresses are cited as highly engaged and accessible, providing a real sense of pastoral security within the large school
✓The dual A Level/IB offer is valued by parents seeking intellectual depth (IB) or subject specialisation (A Levels), with both pathways well supported
✓The Godalming campus and facilities are described as exceptional — pupils feel they have everything they need on site
Common concerns
!Some parents note that the school's scale (950 pupils, 14 houses) means quieter or less assertive pupils can sometimes feel lost and need to be proactive in seeking support
!The transition to full coeducation is still bedding in and some families feel the school's culture and traditions are more naturally adapted to boys
!Fees are among the highest in the sector and some parents feel financial assistance provision, while improving, is still limited relative to some peer schools