Founded in 1611, on the site of a Carthusian monastery in London, and moved to Godalming in 1872. It stands in a superb estate of 200 acres on a plateau above the River Wey with fine views south and south-west. With its towers and spires and its blend of neo-Gothic buildings, it presents an almost emblematic image of the traditional English public school. Over the years a large number of modern buildings have been added and it now has virtually every facility. A broad education is provided, including the International Baccalaureate (from 2011) as an alternative to the current sixth-form curriculum. Examination results are excellent and large numbers go on to Oxbridge each year. The staff:pupil ratio is about 1:8. Very strong in music, drama and art. It has the advantages of exceptionally good libraries, art studio, design and technology centre, music school and a fine theatre. Outdoor pursuits are varied and popular. There is an impressive range of extra-curricular activities. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and community service (locally and in London) are vigorously supported. There is a strong sporting tradition and a wide range of sports and games, played successfully at school, county and national levels.
Pupils: Age range 13-18: 741 pupils; 23 day boarders (20 boys, 3 girls), 718 boarding (616 boys, 102 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16. Common Entrance and own scholarship exam; for sixth form entry, own entrance test. Academic ability and sound character looked for; no religious requirements. Small state school entry.
50+ pa scholarships and exhibitions awarded: 25 scholarships and 9 exhibitions awarded at 13 (16 academic, 7 music, 4 art, 5 all-rounder, 1 sport, 1 for sons of lawyers awarded 2 years prior to entry); 10 scholarships and 7 exhibitions at 16 (11 academic, 4 music, 2 art); all scholarships may be supplemented by bursaries up to the full fee in case of proven financial need. Some entrance bursaries at 13 and 16 for pupils who would benefit from a Charterhouse education and whose parents cannot afford the fees.
45+% live within 30 miles; 10+% live overseas.
Headmaster: The Revd John Witheridge appointed 1996. Educated at St Albans School and at the universities of Kent and Cambridge (English, theology). Previously Conduct of Eton. Teaching staff: 102 full time (plus music staff). Annual turnover 3%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 118 pupils in fifth form, all gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 180 in upper sixth, 25% passing in 4+ subjects, 75% in 3 subjects with an average final point score of 415.
99% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (50% after a gap year), 14% to Oxbridge and 3% to universities in the USA, Hong Kong or Europe. 6% took courses in medicine, 24% in engineering, sciences or maths, 48% in humanities, law and social sciences, 8% in modern languages, 9% in business, 5% in art or music.
GCSE/IGCSE, Pre-U and A-levels; IB Diploma (from 2011). 18 GCSE/IGCSE subjects; 24 sixth-form subjects (mostly Pre-U). Sixth form: All sixth formers take 4 subjects (general studies not taken); wide range of combinations taken. Key skills embedded in sixth form courses. IB Diploma an alternative from 2011. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Limited special provision made for pupils with dyslexia or for whom English is not their native language. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered to GCSE and Pre-U. ICT: Integrated into subjects across the curriculum. 700+ networked PCs and laptops with email and internet access.
Music: Up to 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 20 musical groups including symphony orchestra, string orchestras, jazz band, brass and wind bands, 4 choirs, various chamber music ensembles. Drama and dance: Strong tradition of drama. AS and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Many pupils involved in school productions; others in house and pupil-directed plays. Art and design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 30 A-level. Design, ceramics, textiles, photography, printmaking also offered. Many places obtained at art school and to university courses in art history and architecture.
Sport: Soccer, hockey, cricket, netball, lacrosse are major sports. Minor: cross-country, Eton fives, swimming, rugby, squash, shooting, tennis, athletics, golf, fencing, sub-aqua, sailing, climbing, karate. RLSS exams may be taken. Family golf and tennis tournaments. Activities: Silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF or leadership/self-reliance programme compulsory for all up to age 16; then community service optional. Adventurous activities throughout UK, trekking in Himalayas and Peru. Over 30 clubs including astronomy, debating, history, opera, poetry, recording, Scottish dancing.
Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (most boarding but new sixth-form day house). Prefects (monitors), Head of school, head of house and house monitors. Religion: School is a Christian (C of E) foundation: regular religious worship compulsory. Social: Organised trips abroad annually (eg trekking in Himalayas and Peru). Meals formal. Three shops. Club for senior pupils.
A set of rules is incorporated in the pupils' calendar. Discipline aims to be clear, firm and no-nonsense.
11 houses of approximately 65. Resident qualified nurses. Dining by houses. Pupils can provide and cook own food. Half-term and leave weekends. Visits to local town allowed.
is run by The Recorder, c/o the School.
David Dimbleby, Jonathan Dimbleby (TV presenters); Lord Griffiths, Sir Oliver Popplewell (high court judges); Sir Max Hastings (writer, former editor of Daily Telegraph); Archie Norman (former chief of Asda); Lord (Jim) Prior and Lord (John) Wakeham (former Conservative Cabinet Ministers); Lord (William) Rees-Mogg (former editor of The Times); Peter de Savary (entrepreneur); Stephen Venables (mountaineer); Jeremy Hunt MP; Rachel Portman (Oscar-winning composer); Dr Terence Kealey (Vice Chancellor, Buckingham University); Sir Anthony Caro (sculptor); Frederic Raphael (writer); Charles Spencer, Benedict Nightingale (theatre critics).
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