Admissions at age 11+

Please send for a prospectus and then complete the application form and return it with the fee (£50) to the Admissions Coordinator, Julia Condor. All applications are acknowledged. It is advisable to apply before the end of Year 5. Applications after this may be accepted up to 1st December, depending on numbers. Once your child is registered the school will be in contact with you from time to time and you will be sent the newsletter which comes out each term.

It may or may not be true that policemen are getting younger, but pupils at Highgate Senior School certainly are. Currently the boys and girls in Year 8 are members of the Senior School, and from September 2008 there will be Year 7 pupils also in the Senior School. At that point Highgate will have completed its evolution into a school that educates its pupils from age 11 to 18; also, all but two of the year groups in the school will be co-educational.

This major development of the school has been carefully planned. Two years of extensive preparation have made ready the pupils, the staff and the fabric of the school. For example, a classroom block and the space in front of it have been extensively refurbished to provide a safe and welcoming space in which the younger pupils are based.

Moving to secondary school is a major change in a child’s life, the coordinator for Years 7 and 8, and our team of experienced form tutors, ensure that it is as smooth a change as possible. We invite all the pupils who will be in Year 7 to an Induction Afternoon in June, so that they feel confident during the summer holidays, and there is a similar event the day before term starts in September. We also take all the Year 7 pupils to an outward bound centre for three days of team-building and group activities over the first weekend of term, during which lots of strong friendships are forged.

We are delighted by our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils: individuals enjoy many academic, creative and sporting achievements; groups of pupils win team competitions, play in musical ensembles or rehearse and perform plays; the year groups as a whole are happy, vibrant and friendly. If you come to an Open Morning you will be able to meet some of these pupils for yourself, and we are sure you will enjoy their excellent company as much as we do.

The summary which follows is provisional for 2008 entry and future changes may be made.

Gaining a place
Candidates sit tests at the school on a day in January. There are papers in English and Maths. A significant proportion of candidates are interviewed about two weeks later. We also receive a confidential reference from your child's Head.

Gaining an academic scholarship or award
All candidates are automatically considered for an academic award based on their performance in the entry tests and interview and their reference. Several awards are granted each year with the maximum being 50% of the fees, although all amounts can be increased in case of need.

Bursaries
Those who apply for a place at the school but are unable to afford the full fees are usually asked to complete a Financial Circumstances form and submit it to the Bursar. For those with a low family income, a number of bursaries are available, some of which are provided by the Friends of Highgate School Society.

Music Awards
Candidates for music awards are given auditions, an aural test and read at sight. The auditions take place after the academic tests. As a guide, a playing standard of at least Grade 5 is expected on a first instrument and it is helpful to have a second instrument (or voice) at a lower standard. Music candidates must also pass the academic tests. A number of Music Awards are made each year with a maximum of 50% of the fees. In cases of financial need this amount can be increased.

Visiting the Senior School
Parents and pupils who are considering Highgate for a 11+ place are expected to come to an Open Morning.

These Senior School Open Mornings are held throughout the year on a Tuesday or a Wednesday morning during term time and last about two hours. The visit consists of a tour of the Senior School and the Mills Centre for Art, Design and Technology, a talk by the Head Master for parents and a separate presentation for the children. The Open Morning finishes with refreshments and an opportunity to meet other members of staff.

Please book your place for an Open Morning by ringing the Admissions Coordinator on the number below.

Senior School private visits can be arranged for those who are going to move to the area but at present live too far away to attend one of the official Open Mornings or for anybody who needs to discuss their child’s special circumstances in more detail than is possible at an Open Morning.

You can also visit the school by coming to a concert, play or a sports match. For events which need tickets ring the School Secretary on the number below.


View Senior School 11+ Admissions Frequently Asked Questions.
View Criteria for Entry to Year 7 (11+)

Download an application form.


For a prospectus or further information, please contact:
the Admissions Coordinator
Highgate School
North Road
London N6 4AY
Tel: (020) 8347 3564
Fax: (020) 8340 7674
Email: admissions@highgateschool.org.uk