Charterhouse School - Today

Today

Today, pupils can take part in a range of sporting activities. The former England batsmen and captain Peter May was educated at Charterhouse.

The school first XI of the year 2006-7 reached the ISFA cup final, losing on penalties after a one-all draw with Hampton. One year later, the school first XI again qualified for the ISFA cup final against Millfield. Because of poor weather conditions, it was decided that the match would be played on one of Charterhouse's pitches instead of the usual Walkers Stadium or the replacement at Wokingham F.C. stadium. The team won this match on penalties.

The school has a top 60 placing in the A level league tables, and in 2011 over 80% of pupils are awarded an A* or A grade at GCSE. The school recently announced its decision to switch from A Levels to the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Pre-U.

Martin Bicknell, the former Surrey and England seam bowler joined the school as head of cricket following his retirement from the sport in 2006.

In 2007, Roy Hattersley, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and minister, reported on a visit to Charterhouse in the Guardian newspaper. While reporting on the school chapel he noted in the article that 'Its geometric spires and minarets proclaim complete confidence that Charterhouse educates men who are destined to rule the universe.' Despite his apparent qualms about selective education, Hattersley also wrote in the article that 'Academically and pastorally, it is near to beyond criticism. And after only a brief glimpse of the school, I have no doubt that I would have been ecstatically happy there'. However, he went on to say that as Shadow Secretary of State for Education during the 1970s, he had said in a speech that his hope was 'initially to reduce and eventually to abolish fee-paying education in this country'. Concluding the article, he said 'my aspiration to end it all was totally justified'.

The 2011 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report noted that 'The quality of pupils’ achievements is excellent. Pupils are extremely well educated. They attain extremely high standards in external examinations and make exceptional progress in their learning because of their positive attitudes to study, dedicated and often inspiring teaching, and an academically challenging curriculum that is adapted to suit all needs. The curriculum is enriched by an outstanding range of activities'.