About the Senior School

The Senior School

The Years Up to GCSE

At present, when joining the Senior School at age 11+ students enter Year 7. The curriculum is broad and is subject to constant review as we anticipate and respond to changing educational needs. In addition to the usual range of subjects, Art, Music, and Technology are taken by all. Before starting at the Senior School pupils choose a second modern language and whether to study Latin or Classical Civilisation. In the main subjects there are sets, or groups of sets, based on student’s ability but with flexibility for movement whenever appropriate. During this year the effects of differing educational backgrounds will become less marked and students will develop an appropriate pattern of work, both in the classroom and out of school. Homework is set and a student can expect three 'preps' of about thirty minutes each weekday evening.

The two-year GCSE courses begin in Year 10. The core subjects, studied by all, are: English, English Literature, Mathematics, a Modern Language and Co-ordinated Sciences (taught by separate teachers of Physics, Chemistry and Biology). A further three subjects are then chosen from: Art, Classical Civilisation, Design Technology, Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Music, Russian and Spanish. In addition to their GCSE subjects, students take Religious Education and Physical Education. Many subjects require assessed coursework and most syllabuses lead to examinations at the end of Year 11. The teaching staff are experienced and well-qualified subject specialists and the teacher/pupil ratio is about 1:9. Class sizes are generally in the low twenties up to GCSE, although for some subjects they will be much smaller; in the Sixth Form classes of six to fourteen are usual. Educational facilities across the School are first class and their use is guided by trained professionals. Such resources complement the facilities available in the academic departments, which have their own specialist teaching rooms, equipment and, where appropriate, technicians, computers and libraries. Fieldwork and visits to galleries, museums, exhibitions and lectures are an integral part of the academic programme.

The Sixth Form

When they enter Year 12 (Lower Sixth Form), the great majority of pupils choose four subjects from the wide range of AS level courses on offer. The options available are under regular review in order to reflect the needs of a changing world. Prospective Sixth Formers are assisted in selecting the best programme of A level study according to their known ability and future plans. A booklet listing the options available and containing details of the courses is published each year and given to Year 11s and their parents before those choices are made.

In the Sixth Form, emphasis is placed on learning to work independently and to develop more advanced study skills. At this stage pupils will for the first time have a number of private reading periods when they are expected to work in a reading room or library. The Sixth Form have two common rooms acting as social and recreational bases for senior pupils. Each Sixth Former's tutor and housemaster exercise supervision over their general academic progress and they advise on and monitor higher education applications.

Review of the Year

Every July the Senior School publishes the Review of the Year. The Review, distributed at Prizegiving, highlights the past year's achievements and most memorable moments, and provides information on examination results. View our Review of the Year.

Pastoral Care

Each pupil is placed on arrival in Year 9 in one of the twelve houses. The house is the social and pastoral group of about sixty pupils within which each will remain throughout their time at Highgate. Each housemaster, assisted by a team of tutors, is responsible for monitoring the progress and welfare of the members of his or her house and for liaison with parents. A distinctive feature of our day houses is that they are largely based on particular areas of North London. Thus those in a house will find others whom they will see as they travel to school, or at weekends, or near whom they live. This establishes a basis for friendship and gives each house its own identity. Many houses hold their own social, musical or sporting functions involving parents, and at school the houses compete at games, music and debating.

Pupils in Year 7 and 8 are placed into a Form Group of around 20 – 22 pupils under the care of a Form Tutor. Form Tutors register pupils each day and are in charge of regular Form Group tutorials. Pupils are encouraged to take part in inter-form competitions and activities and to contribute to the weekly assembly programme. The pastoral care of the pupils and the work of the Form Tutors are overseen by the Assistant Head of Year 7 and 8, who is supported by a Head of Year 7 and a Head of Year 8. The pastoral teams in Year 7 & 8 aim to ensure that all pupils enjoy a successful transition from the world of primary education to the environment and opportunities of secondary school. Parents are welcome to contact the appropriate Head of Year at any time if they have any queries or concerns about their child.

Parents

Education is a shared venture, and we wish to establish a partnership with parents. We endeavour to maintain clear communication between school and home. To this end, each year-group has an annual parents' meeting at which all the teaching staff are present. Day-to-day contact is through the housemaster, who keeps in close touch with his pupils and their parents. Academic progress is also monitored by the regular awarding of grades for academic effort and achievement. Tutors will review these with pupils, offering encouragement and, where necessary, strategies for improvement. Full reports are sent to parents at regular intervals as a formal record of their child's progress. All parents are encouraged to contact the Head of Year (in Year 7 and 8) or the Housemaster (in Years 9-13) at any time if they have any queries or concerns.

The School and the HSPA also organise a series of pastoral presentations and discussions each year, covering such areas as internet safety, substance abuse, managing the party scene and dealing with exam stress. See also Parents' Associations.