Charterhouse, Edgeborough Become "One Family"

Edgeborough prep school will join the Charterhouse family of schools in September 2021 to create an all-through co-ed independent day and boarding school.

The combined school, which remains on two separate campuses in Surrey, will see Edgeborough students benefit from Charterhouse's specialist teachers and coaches. They will also have the opportunity to take on a wide range of subjects and activities using Charterhouse's facilities. Charterhouse students will be given the opportunity to coach and mentor Edgeborough students, as well as support them in various co-curricular activities.

The merger coincides with Charterhouse's move to a full co-ed school; while it has had a mixed-sex sixth form since 1971, it welcomes its first girls into Year 9 in September 2021. There are plans to have girls in every year group from September 2023, and the school expects to grow to more than 1,000 students during the next three years.

High numbers of students at the day and boarding school in Farnham currently move to Charterhouse in Godalming once they reach Year 9 (13 years). Under the merger, Edgeborough students will still have to go through the standard admissions process for Charterhouse, and both schools will retain their current name, badge and uniform.

Dan Thornburn will remain as headmaster of Edgeborough, and Alex Peterken will continue to be headmaster of Charterhouse; a single governing body will have responsibility for both schools.

Announcing the merger, Jeremy McIlroy, Edgeborough chair of governors, said:

"Everyone at Edgeborough is excited about this opportunity to be part of an outstanding educational partnership between two thriving schools. Both schools are enjoying strong growth and momentum, and we believe the merger will allow us to create the pre-eminent combination of prep and senior schools in the region, and beyond. With Charterhouse becoming fully co-educational from Year 9 this autumn, there is a perfect strategic fit with our long-established profile of taking boys and girls through the school to Year 8.”

Dr Alex Peterken, headmaster of Charterhouse added:

“Under Dan Thornburn’s leadership, Edgeborough is enjoying significant success, with record pupil numbers and growing interest in admissions. At the same time, Charterhouse is currently undergoing the most exciting transformation you will find in any independent school in the country, and we are delighted that Edgeborough can be part of that journey.

"These are two historic schools, linked by a common vision and approach. By becoming one family, we can provide, for children for whom it is most appropriate, an educational pathway from the age of three to University entry, and one that enables our pupils to thrive in all areas of their development.”