Boarding at Char terhouse
Belong here
Boarding sits at the heart of life at Charterhouse Almost everyone boards here Boarding is about joining a big family, and making great friendships. It is about trying different things and getting to know different people. It is so much more than just living at school. Boarding gives you space to grow: the freedom of your own space in a friendly House, and a world of opportunities in the 250-acre campus on your doorstep. It also offers time to explore – more hours in the day for the things you already enjoy and for the interests you are yet to discover. Above all, boarding is about helping each other make the most of that space and time.
‘YEARLINGS’ (Year 9)
‘SPECIALISTS’ (Sixth Form)
7.30 am – Breakfast together
Breakfast together
8.30 am – Chapel
Chapel
8.45 am – Lessons
Lessons
A chance to compose yourself for the day ahead
Two periods before break
10.15 am – ‘quarter’
Two periods before break
A snack in House and chat with tutors
‘quarter’
11.00 am – Lessons
Lessons or Private Study
1.15 pm – Lunch
Lunch
Your House is your base camp. Strike out each morning for lessons, clubs, societies, sport and all the other elements of your busy day. Return back to base to refuel, for Prep or to prepare as a House for one of our popular competitions.
1.45 pm – Get ready
Coffee with Housemaster
2.15 pm – Lessons
Lessons or Private Study
3.45 pm – Activity Programme
Follow your interests
There is simply more time to dedicate to your interests when you do not need to waste time getting to and from school, home, clubs or friends. Here it is all on tap. No need to wait for anyone to ferry you around (unless you are taking part in the House pushcart derby, that is).
6.30 pm – Supper together
Supper together
7 pm – Prep
Prep
How much can you fit into a boarding day?
Working together on research projects
Uni style, in the Library or your room
Go full time
More than you think!
All those extra hours add up. Use them to deepen your expertise or proficiency. Expand your skills and interests. When you visit Charterhouse, you will notice we are not rushing here and there. When everything is on your doorstep, you can take your time.
for the afternoon
Structured clubs, societies and sport
Private study with peers and tutors on hand for help
8.45 pm – House Activity
Practice harmonies for the singing competition
9 pm – Evening Activity
and tutors
Clubs, societies, sport or CCF
Working on an academic project with others
House Activity
Evening Activity
Junior waterpolo
Scottish dancing
9.45 pm – Head hits pillow
10pm – Quiet time
Imagine belonging to a family of 65 Never boring Everyone will help you settle in, whether you join Verites, Pageites or any of the other Houses – there are lots to choose from. Many of your housemates will become your very best friends. Some for life.
Dive in
You will meet other pupils with very different interests, helping you become open to new perspectives on life. Inevitably you will not all agree on everything, so you will perfect your ability to rub along well with people, no matter who they are. A skill for life. New things are simply more fun when you are learning together, and there is always something to look forward to. Lively House activities – and there are many – are chock-full of team spirit and laughter. Pulling together is not restricted to the tug of war. Expertise is an advantage, but in all honesty we enjoy heroic failures just as much as stunning victories, because it is life in a House that we are celebrating.
You will not want to leave‌
Spread your wings
But you’ll do so ready for the next challenge Long after you leave Charterhouse, the qualities you acquired as a boarder here will help you lead a rewarding life. We give our younger years a clear structure to help them get into good habits. Little by little, you will find yourself growing in independence, making your own choices and starting to look out for others. As a sixth former, you will increasingly understand where your strengths and interests lie, and will be discovering where you want to go next. With your Tutor and Housemaster as trusted mentors, you can focus on getting the most out of your last two years of school, enjoying the autonomy and responsibility you have earned and developing new areas of expertise with confidence. Your House is a great place to hone the independent study skills that university will expect of you. Somewhere you can take on responsibilities, while enjoying the friendship and informality of a family home.
A unique home from home Meet your team
The history of our Houses
Houses at Charterhouse are where you live, sleep, relax and work. You’ll spend a lot of your time in your House, where you will have a friendly, enthusiastic and dedicated team of staff on hand to guide you.
Most of the Houses are named after the founding Housemaster, although we have moved away from that tradition in recent years.
Our houses
Each Housemaster or Housemistress (HM) lives in the House, as does a Matron. This core team has the support of an Assistant HM (often also resident) plus Tutors, each of whom takes responsibility for a small number of pupils in a House. As the main link with home, the HM will be in close contact with your parents. A regular flow of information and news – in both directions – ensures a close relationship and a seamless transition between School and family life. We offer flexible boarding for those who want to return home after Saturday afternoon activities. If you choose to be one of the hundreds who stay at School over the weekend, you’ll enjoy a lively calendar of trips, socials and visits. Or you can take the opportunity to slow down, eat a leisurely brunch and catch up with friends.
Some Houses are in the old part of the School dating back to the 1870s, some are ‘new’ houses that moved to their current sites in the early 1970s, and others are more modern buildings from the early twenty-first century. All Houses are home to between 60 and 70 pupils and offer very similar facilities. The youngest members of the House are grouped together in adjacent single or shared rooms, while Fifth and Sixth Form pupils have single rooms. Each House has various common room spaces where everyone can meet and relax and ‘butteries’ for snacks. Regardless of the House you choose – and there is information about that process in our Further Information booklet – you will inevitably develop strong House loyalty and firmly believe that your House is the best. Just like the four centuries of Carthusians who’ve gone before you.
Contact us
To arrange your visit to Charterhouse, please contact the Admissions Office admissions@charterhouse.org.uk +44 (0)1483 291501 Charterhouse Godalming Surrey GU7 2DX