Founded in 1611, Charterhouse is one of the great historic public schools of England. With four centuries of history behind it, the school is committed to being at the forefront of educational progress in the twenty-first century. Charterhouse has recently undergone huge changes, becoming fully co-educational in September 2021: the school now has the ambition to become ‘the best co-ed boarding school in the country’. A fantastic all-round school with a stunning campus and strong academic results, Charterhouse now educates over 1000 students from 13 to 18 years old.
There are two main entrance points, in Year 9 and Year 12, although Charterhouse also admit around 20 pupils in Year 10, at the start of the GCSE course. All admissions are by assessment, which is competitive, and contingent on performance at interview, as well as a glowing reference from the candidate’s current school.
How to get into Charterhouse School
Entering in Year 9 (13 Plus):
Charterhouse accepts around 125 pupils each year into Year 9.
13 Plus Entrance Process for Charterhouse:
As an academically selective school Charterhouse uses entrance exams to select which pupils are suitable to gain a place. They use a 2-stage process, with pupils being selected to move to the next stage based on their relative performance.
After registration, Stage 1 is the ISEB Common Pre-Test, usually sat between 1st October and 30th November of the autumn term of Year 6. This is a computerised test consisting of English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Read our guide to the ISEB pre-tests and how to prepare.
The results of the ISEB Pre-Test are reviewed in conjunction with a reference from the student’s Prep School, and successful applicants are invited to an Interview and ‘Activities Assessment’ in the Spring Term of Year 6.
Stage 2 The Interview and Activity Afternoon involves informal interviews and a selection of group activities, designed to give the children the chance to show their full capabilities - and to experience a taste of life at Charterhouse.
Offers of places are made in the March of Year 6. The expectation is that these children will continue in their schools, working towards either the Common Entrance examinations or their own Year 8 curriculum, which they are expected to pass comfortably. Charterhouse will also seek a reference from the child’s Prep School at the start of their Year 8.
What questions do Charterhouse ask at interview?
As with many school interviews, the Charterhouse version seeks to explore the following:
- Family (e.g. What do you like to do on the weekend as a family?)
- School (e.g. What do you most enjoy about your current school?)
- Academic Learning (e.g. What is your favourite subject and why?)
- Reading (e.g. Do you enjoy reading?)
- Extracurricular (e.g. What activities do you get involved in at school outside of the classroom?)
- Hobbies (e.g. What do you do in your spare time at outside of school?)
- Charterhouse (e.g. Why would you like to come to Charterhouse?)
Entering in Year 12 (Sixth Form Entry):
Around 70 pupils join Charterhouse in Year 12, joining an existing cohort of approximately 180 students. All candidates sit tests in the three subjects they have chosen at registration, via an online platform, typically between late September and early October.
16 Plus Entrance Process for Charterhouse:
Following shortlisting, candidates attend a further assessment session at the school, typically mid-November, in the year proceeding their proposed entry to the school.
You will get a tour of the school and attend a presentation, but the meat of the day involves what Charterhouse call ‘a series of immersive assessment activities’, followed by a ‘conversational interview’.
Entering Charterhouse via a Scholarship
The Foundation Scholarships are offered each year (at 13 plus) to those that exhibit a high level of academic attainment and intellectual curiosity during Charterhouse’s own examinations and interview, which take place at the end of April, prior to entry in September. Exhibitions are awarded to those who show special promise in one particular subject or for a general performance that is sound but below that appropriate for the award of a Foundation Scholarship. Candidates sit examinations in Mathematics, English, French or Spanish, and general Science - and a choice of two other subjects chosen from Latin, Geography, Additional Mathematics and History and Greek.
The Reginald and Maurice Benn Scholarship for distinction in Classics in the Foundation Scholarship Examination is offered annually and this award may be held in additional to other Scholarships.
Scholarships are also offered Art & Textiles, Performing Arts, Dance, Drama, Design Engineering (DE), Music and Sports. Applying for one of these involves the submission of a digital or video portfolio at early as the January prior to entry. For shortlisted candidates, this will be followed by interview the same month.
Read more about Charterhouse 13 plus scholarships.
Is there a 16 plus scholarship for Charterhouse?
Sir Robert Birley Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions are awarded each year, to candidates joining the Sixth Form following examinations and interview. In addition, pupils joining the School at the beginning of the Sixth Form are eligible for Honorary Foundation Scholarships at the end of their first year. As well as academic scholarships, the school offers scholarships for Art and Fashion, Drama, Music and Sport.
Read more about the Charterhouse 16 plus scholarship.
Why is Charterhouse so popular?
The school provides a holistic view of education that appeals to parents looking for a less exam-focused academic approach that nevertheless still provides for some of the best examination results in the sector.
In 2023, 55% achieved A*/A grades at A Level. While at GCSE, 72% achieved Grade 9-7. The average Diploma score at IB was 34.3. Most students go onto Russell Group universities such as UCL, Exeter, Edinburgh, Kings, and Newcastle.
The school’s historic buildings and beautiful large campus are inspirational providing an excellent environment for its pupils’ development.
Music, sport and drama are fundamental to the school character, rather than add-ons, and this incorporation of the arts more broadly is reflected in the breadth of its curriculum. The school offering of both A Levels and IB, it’s focus on football instead of rugby and proximity to London have also proved to be extremely popular with families. It is considered as one of the best all round schools in the country.
Is Charterhouse hard to get into?
Owing to its academic reputation and success Charterhouse attracts a lot of applications and a such the entrance process at 13 plus and 16 plus are competitive. Consequently, the school can afford to be selective. However, their deadlines are not as strict as some (at 13 plus) and if you’ve missed the deadline, don’t panic – a quarter of places are held back each year for the Headmaster’s List, designed for late entrants and anyone who might have had an off day the first time around.
Famous Charterhouse Alumni
- William Makepeace Thackeray
- Rachel Portman (composer)
- Peter James (novelist).
Tutors for Charterhouse School Entrance
Keystone has over a decade of experience providing tuition to families who wish to send their children to some of the leading UK independent schools including Charterhouse.
The tutors we work with are experienced in the intricacies of the 13 plus common entrance, the ISEB pre-test and 16 plus entrance to Charterhouse.
For more details on how Keystone can help with preparation for entry to Charterhouse, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.