Admissions at 13+

Key Dates for 13+ Entry for 2012

Application deadline is 30 November 2011
13+ Entrance Examination will take place on Monday 23 January 2012.

Please send for a prospectus and then complete the application form and return it with the fee (£75) to the Admissions Coordinator. All applications are acknowledged. It is helpful to apply before the end of Year 7. Once your child is registered the school will be in contact with you from time to time to advise you on the dates of forthcoming admissions events.

The summary which follows describes 2012 entry only is of course subject to any future changes which we may decide to make. Please consult our admissions policy and the policy on financial assistance.

Please note that the timing and process for 13+ admissions will be changing for those applying for admission in September 2013 and subsequent years. See below for details.

Gaining a place for 2012 entry

Candidates sit tests at the school on Monday 23 January. Each paper is about an hour long and the subjects are: English, Maths, Science and French. There is also a short verbal and non-verbal reasoning test. Each test is based on the Common Entrance syllabus. A significant proportion of candidates are interviewed two weeks later. We also receive a confidential reference from your child's Head. The interviews take place in the Mills Centre.  Each applicant has two interviews: in the first, children are interviewed in pairs; in the second, children are interviewed individually about their interests and hobbies.  There is no further academic, subject-specific testing in the interviews; rather this is an opportunity for us to assess each child’s “teachability” and her or his likely contribution to the School. No explicit preparation is required for the interviews.

Changes for admission from September 2013 onwards:

The current system of testing and selection in January and February of Year 8 will be replaced with tests and interviews in September and October or November of Year 7. This will make it easier for parents of successful Year 7 pupils to choose between Highgate and other schools, reduce the pressure on these pupils in Year 8. The 13+ entry timetable for those currently in Years 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 is given here.

Tests will be set in Mathematics, English and non-verbal reasoning in the September 2011 and subsequent September entry tests. Each test will take 45 minutes to one hour. These tests will be set to assess potential and no specific preparation outside your child’s normal Mathematics and English teaching will be required.

Specimen papers for Mathematics and English can be found here: Mathematics | English.

Interviews in October of Year 7 will be held in small groups. We will decide which candidates to call for interview after consideration of their test results and the report we receive from their current school. The objective will be to see how well the candidates can express themselves and work together in groups. They will have an opportunity to talk about themselves, their interests and their hobbies and will be asked to participate in a collaborative task.

It is our intention to make 15 to 20 offers of places in November 2011 and to make offers to pupils on the reserve list to make up our usual 13+ intake of 25 to 30, subject to enough candidates reaching a standard which will enable them to integrate comfortably into our current year group.

Pupils from the reserve list asked for interview in November of Year 8 will be interviewed by a Mathematics and an English teacher and these interviews will be designed to assess academic progress in the time since they took the entrance tests.

Gaining an academic scholarship or award

All candidates are automatically considered for an academic award. Those who do best in the entry tests may be given longer or additional interviews to test the breadth and depth of their knowledge. Further information on academic scholarships and awards can be found here.

Bursaries

Highgate School was founded as a charity by Sir Roger Cholmeley in 1565. Since then we have always given financial support to a number of pupils whom we know will thrive at Highgate but whose families cannot afford the full fees. Currently there is a range of bursary support available. Some pupils are awarded small bursaries that supplement the significant contribution made by their parents/carers; other pupils are awarded large bursaries that cover most or all of the fees. Bursaries are funded out of the income the school receives from sources other than fees. The Friends of Highgate School also support some awards. Further information on bursaries can be found here or contact Robert Wilne, the Director of Sir Roger Cholmeley's Charity (robert.wilne@highgateschool.org.uk or 020 8347 2102).

Music Awards

Candidates for music awards are given auditions, a short written theory paper, an aural test and read at sight. The musical auditions and tests take place on a Thursday early in February at the School. As a guide, a playing standard of at least Grade 6 is expected on a first instrument and it is helpful to have a second instrument (or voice) to a good standard. Music candidates must also pass the academic tests. A number of Music Awards are made each year with a maximum of 10% of the fees. In cases of financial need this amount can be increased. Further information on music awards can be found here.

Visiting the Senior School

Parents and pupils who are considering Highgate for a 13+ place are invited to come to an Open Morning. Senior School Open Mornings are held throughout the year in term time on a Tuesday or a Wednesday morning during term time and last about two hours.

Please book your place for an Open Morning by ringing the Admissions Coordinator on 020 8347 3564.

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.

Housemaster's visit

Housemasters usually visit the families of all new 13+ pupils in their homes either at the end of the summer term or during the summer holidays. They bring with them a Parents Handbook which covers many aspects of the pupil's introduction to the Senior School. The visit enables the housemaster to get to know the pupil and family and to answer questions.

Induction

On the afternoon before the beginning of the Michaelmas term all new 13+ pupils visit the school for Induction. They are given information about their start in the school and a tour to help them to get to know their way around.

 

Download an application form for 13+ entry (PDF).

Download our latest Exam Results booklet (PDF).

 

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