Edgeborough and Charterhouse announce merger
Edgeborough and Charterhouse are pleased to announce that Edgeborough will join the Charterhouse family in September 2021 as the two charities merge to create an exceptional independent, co-educational prep and senior school offer.
Heads’ Introduction
Announcing the merger, Jeremy McIlroy, Edgeborough Chair of Governors, said:
“Our respective Governing Bodies, together with the Heads and their leadership teams, have been in discussion for over a year and we are unanimous that the merger is in the best interests of both schools. Building on the excellent all-round education on offer at each school, the merger will further enrich the experience for all our pupils.
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.”
Dan Thornburn, Headmaster of Edgeborough, said:
“This merger will see Edgeborough joining together with one of the foremost senior schools in the country, with the overriding aim of providing a truly exceptional educational offering, unparalleled both in the local area and beyond.
I am proud of everything we have achieved at Edgeborough in recent years, and this exciting development will now help inject further energy, immense educational history and additional expertise into our onward journey. It is the most wonderful opportunity for Edgeborough to move onwards to the next level.”
Whilst a steady stream of Edgeborough pupils already move to Charterhouse at thirteen and thrive there, there will be no expectation following the merger that an Edgeborough pupil will join Charterhouse, and those wishing to apply will participate in the usual admissions process, just like any other applicant. Similarly, Charterhouse will continue to recruit pupils from the same wide range of schools as today.
Welcoming Edgeborough into the family, Dr Alex Peterken, Headmaster of Charterhouse said:
“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.”
A single Governing Body will have responsibility for both schools, with three current Edgeborough Governors joining that body. Dan Thornburn will remain as Headmaster of Edgeborough, and Alex Peterken will continue to be Headmaster of Charterhouse with overall executive responsibility for both schools. Both schools will retain their current identity, name, ethos, values, badge and uniform, as well as their day-to-day operational autonomy.
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