Head's Welcome
Learning with purpose
Why choose Charterhouse?
If you were to ask our current parents this question, they would say that there is a superb balance between, on the one hand, academic rigour, outstanding teaching and an ambitious learning environment and, on the other hand, seemingly unending opportunities to experience different activities, sports, music, creative arts, clubs and societies.
They would also say that our children are happy and well-nurtured, and that they enjoy a strong collective sense of wellbeing and belonging.
All of this is achieved from within the inspiring architecture and landscape of one of the most remarkable and beautiful school campuses in the world which includes over 250 acres (or 1,000,000 square metres) of green space.
Charterhouse treats children like responsible human beings and they are expected to rise to the challenge. It creates balanced and well-rounded young people, who are charming company.
A current parent
We offer the very best all-round education in the UK: an immersive learning experience which is full of opportunity, excitement and fun. Our ethos centres on ensuring that each pupil becomes as future-ready as possible during their time at School and leaves prepared for the challenges and opportunities that they will face within our rapidly evolving society.
A strong academic focus is our starting point, but this is not the end of our ambitions for our young people.
We are committed to ensuring that each child performs to their own personal academic potential, supporting and nurturing each individual every step of the way. But pupils are also blessed with an endless variety of opportunity, both in and out of the classroom, which ensures that no two Charterhouse educations are the same.
Such breadth ensures that every pupil has the chance to find their unique passions, often in the most unexpected of places, which will be carried with them into their later lives.
We aim to make Carthusians amongst the most future-ready young people in the world. The School’s FutureU activities are a central element of the Charterhouse experience, aimed at ensuring that pupils develop the transferable skills, knowledge, experiences and mindset required to thrive throughout their later lives. Our sixth form professional qualification in Applied Entrepreneurship is the first of its type anywhere in the world.
Our pupils grow up in a community of openness, tolerance and shared values. Kindness – our most important core value – sits at the heart of everything we do. Both boarding and day pupils benefit hugely from the relationships they form within their House, which becomes a home from home for each of them. Indeed, our shared sense of belonging is central to life at Charterhouse.
Our pupils leave as respectful and respectable young adults, with a strong academic grounding and an understanding of how to learn as well as what to learn. They are mindful of their responsibilities to others and to society, and they take with them a core set of lasting values to guide them throughout their life.
We know we have succeeded when a Charterhouse education not only paves the way for academic success but also lays the foundations for professional, social and personal happiness and fulfilment. A Charterhouse education lasts for a lifetime, long after exam results are published.
Dr Alex Peterken, Head
Dr Alex Peterken
Born in 1974 in Guildford, Surrey, Alex Peterken was educated at The Prebendal School, Chichester from age 7 to 13. During this time, he was both Head Chorister and Head Boy. At 13 he moved onto Eton College where he was a Music Exhibitioner and academic prize winner in History and Theology.
Alex gained a BA in Theology from the University of Durham, during which time he was also a Choral Scholar at Durham Cathedral. He then went on to gain an MA in Educational Management (London) and a Doctorate in Education, specialising in School Leadership (Surrey).
Alex’s first teaching post was at Charterhouse where he spent 11 successful years. He held several senior posts, including Head of Theology and Head of Higher Education & Careers Guidance. His final six years at Charterhouse were spent as Housemaster of Saunderites. He joined Cheltenham College as Deputy Headmaster in 2008 and was Headmaster from September 2010 to December 2017. During his tenure at Cheltenham College, the school grew from 550 to 700 pupils, three new boarding Houses were opened and there were record exam results at GCSE and A Level. Innovation in the curriculum was also a feature – from independent research projects in Year 9 to the new mini-MBA programme at Sixth Form and plans for a new BEHIVE [Business and Economics Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship]. He returned to Charterhouse as Head in January 2018.
Alex is a devoted family man who is passionate about co-education and helping pupils achieve their academic best, whilst stretching their co-curricular talents and preparing them for life beyond school. Alex is Vice-Chair of ISEB, a former Governor at Pinewood and Brambletye Schools and former member of the Guildford Diocesan Board of Education. He is currently a Governor at Lambrook School. Out of school, Alex enjoys his busy family life with his wife Henny and their children.
