Our Priorities
From generation to generation, philanthropic giving has enabled Charterhouse to create some of our most valued spaces across campus, such as the Memorial Chapel and, most recently, The Hub.
Giving also enables us to honour Thomas Sutton’s founding intent by providing young people with the opportunity to join our School on full or partial fee support.
The Ralph Vaughan Williams Music Centre
Music has always been at the centre of Charterhouse life. Around half of our pupils have music lessons, and many participate in choirs, ensembles and bands. Several of our pupils in recent years have gone on to become professional musicians and studied music at university or music college, but, more importantly, a huge number of Carthusians have retained a life-long love of music.
The current facilities in the Ralph Vaughan Williams Music Centre (RVW) are out of date, and we simply do not have enough space for pupils to practice and learn. The RVW was built to support a school of 500 pupils, and the School roll now sits at over 1,000.
The planned extension to the RVW Centre will double our capacity for rehearsal and performance space in music, additionally providing a recording studio and a tech room to facilitate digital compositions.
We aim to complete this extension to the RVW Centre by the Summer of 2027.
Bursaries
At Charterhouse, we believe that potential should never be limited by circumstance.
When Thomas Sutton founded the School in 1611, he made provision for forty scholars to receive a free education funded by the endowment he created. Today, we are committed to opening the doors of Charterhouse to exceptional young people from all backgrounds. With your support, we can ensure that the most talented students, regardless of financial means, have the opportunity to thrive here.
Studying at Charterhouse offered an atmosphere where there was time to find out who you are. A normal day at another School just doesn’t give you that.
I remember going over to the music block in the evenings, practising and practising, spending more and more time perfecting my techniques, wanting to see what level I could get to.
A FORMER PUPIL
Charterhouse was a massive opportunity to achieve the grades that I deserved, to have materials and the theatre and an exceptional music department, all of which allowed me to thrive within my own talents.
It wasn't socially acceptable to put myself forward at my state school, but arriving at Charterhouse the level of teaching was exceptional, and I was encouraged to be the best. At Charterhouse, it is cool to be the best. I’d never been applauded for being the best at school.
Looking back now, I’m acutely aware of the power of my bursary; I’ve carried this drive and confidence with me in my career. A bursary is not just relevant for the time you are at school, it’s quite literally life-changing.
DEBORAH STINTON, OC (R02)
