Girdlestoneites
Girdlestoneites – commonly known as ‘Duckites’ – is located in a beautiful building in the centre of the School, close to the teaching facilities and the central café, Oak, where the girls and boys have their meals.
Girdlestoneites is a coeducational House as part of a phased conversion to a girls-only House from September 2026. Over the past few years, both boys and girls have benefitted from the experience of a coeducational boarding environment, with some shared amenities and common rooms alongside girls-only and boys-only areas.
Frederick Girdlestone (Old Carthusian) founded the House in 1874. He was affectionately known as ‘Duck’ because of his peculiar gait, hence the House’s commonly used name: Duckites.
Mr Charlie Sparrow, MA
Head of House, Girdlestoneites
T: +44 (0) 1483 291541
E: girdlestoneites@charterhouse.org.uk
I am delighted to be Head of Duckites at this exciting time of coeducational boarding before the House becomes girls-only from September 2026.
I approach my role with empathy, energy, and enthusiasm. Duckites is a House in which pupils feel valued, confident, and secure – a base from which they can thrive in all areas of School life, taking responsibility for their own progress along the way.
The Duckite boys have already achieved so much, providing a strong foundation on which to build in the coming years. With the arrival of the girls and the refurbishment of the House, we all work together to foster a friendly, family atmosphere where every member of the House community looks after one another as well as themselves, celebrating accomplishments and bouncing back from disappointments together.
After nine years as Head of the Fourth Form at Charterhouse, I understand how important it is to set a positive and inclusive tone from the outset. I can’t wait to cheer on the pupils as they throw themselves into House Art, Music, Drama, and Sport, offering what advice I can from my experience as a football, hockey, and cricket coach. Hopefully, my love of reading – as an English teacher – might rub off too!
Mr Charlie Sparrow, Head of House, Girdlestoneites
Duckites is truly a home from home. There is a warm and caring atmosphere, with friendships being built between pupils that will last well beyond our time at Charterhouse. Our Head of House and House tutors provide a strong support network, and the House Assistants take great care of us too. As an international pupil, this is especially important to me, as the inhabitants of Duckites are like my family when I’m at school in England.
Remove (year 10) pupil
