Charterhouse plans to double the size of its Ralph Vaughan Williams Music School, adding rehearsal, practice, performance spaces, a recording studio, and a technology suite for digital composition and music production. The new Music School is planned to open in 2028.
School
Charterhouse
Charterhouse is a co-educational independent school in London for pupils aged 13 to 18, offering day and boarding.
Day fees
£49,107
Entry
Iseb Pretest + InterviewSelective
Updated 3 months agosource
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Dr Alex Sherwood
Dr
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
1,027
Location
Godalming, Surrey
Rural setting
Day or boarding
Day and boarding
Age range
13 to 18
Religious ethos
Church of England
Founded
1611
Entry points
11+, 13+
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
Scholarships
Academic, Design, Sport +3
Show 2 more factsShow fewer facts
A-level A*–A
58%
2025
GCSE 9–7
68%
2025
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed school in Surrey for ages 13–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier fees.
Best for
- Children aged 13–18.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
- Families comfortable with top-tier independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
Watch-outs
- Fees sit at the top of the independent market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
- Apr20Open dayNextOnline Parent Teacher Briefings
- TBCInterviewTo be confirmedVarious dates throughout the yearBook a Visit
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£49,107per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
Inc. VAT £49,107VAT included5 years: £265,979
vs London avg (£24,000)105% above
Extras: registration, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music lessons, exam fees.
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Quick answers about Charterhouse
Answered only from Charterhouse's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
sport
Charterhouse Athlete ProgrammeHockeyCricketTennisAthleticsFootball
music
Music – ensembles and performances
other
Pontifex
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
58%
A-level A*–A
68%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
6%
to Oxbridge (2025)
43%
to Russell Group
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 211 | — |
| Oxbridge | 12 | 7 |
| Russell Group | 91 | — |
| US Ivy | 12 | 8 |
| Medicine | 2 | 2 |
Top universities (2025)
Durham13
King's College London11
University College London11
Exeter10
Edinburgh8
London School of Economics and Political Science7
Newcastle6
Bath5
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA-level
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
Sir Michael Caine (actor)Robert Baden-Powell (founder of Scouting)Sir Peter Ustinov (actor and writer)Tom Hiddleston (actor)Sir Tim Rice (lyricist)Sir Anthony Caro (sculptor)Sir George Gilbert Scott (architect)Sir Henry Royce (co-founder of Rolls-Royce)Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (composer)
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Fit for your child
Is Charterhouse right for your child?
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Check fit for my childCommunityHouse system
Community
House system
Pupils belong to houses.
CalendarTerm dates 2026/27
Calendar
Term dates 2026/27
Autumn1 Sept 2026 → 11 Dec 2026Half-term 16 Oct 2026–1 Nov 2026
Spring11 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 12 Feb 2027–21 Feb 2027
Summer20 Apr 2027 → 3 Jul 2027Half-term 29 May 2027–7 Jun 2027
PathwaysFeeder schools
Pathways
Feeder schools
1 offer
Also considerSchools like Charterhouse
Also consider
Schools like Charterhouse
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is Charterhouse best for?+
Charterhouse suits: Children aged 13–18; Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school; Families comfortable with top-tier independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
How much are the fees at Charterhouse?+
Day fees at Charterhouse are £16,369 a term in 2026-27 (£49,107 a year). Boarding fees are £21,015 a term in 2026-27 (£63,045 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at Charterhouse?+
The next school tour at Charterhouse is on 3 November 2026. Booking is usually required.
How does admissions work?+
Charterhouse is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.
Does Charterhouse support SEND?+
Charterhouse offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.
What ages does Charterhouse take?+
Charterhouse takes pupils from age 13 to 18.
Is Charterhouse a day or boarding school?+
Charterhouse offers both day and boarding places.
Is Charterhouse co-educational or single-sex?+
Charterhouse is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is Charterhouse?+
Charterhouse is in Surrey, GU7 2DX.
How do I contact admissions at Charterhouse?+
Contact Charterhouse by phone on 01483291500.
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