Highgate School was named Independent School of the Decade by the Sunday Times Schools Guide 2021 and was featured in the Top 20 UK independent secondary schools for academic excellence in their 2026 guide.
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Highgate School
Highgate is a top independent co-educational school in London. We welcome pupils aged 4 to 18 across our Pre-Prep, Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form.
Welcome to Highgate School – we are justifiably proud of our 460-year history as a leading independent school, founded in the heart of Highgate village, north London.
Our co-educational school offers high-calibre and academically minded teaching with a focus on scholarship and independence for all, rather than on exam outcomes. Our varied co-curricular activities, and wide-reaching programme of charitable partnerships, enables pupils to develop interests and hobbies, forge lasting friendships, belong to teams, ensembles and casts, and learn the value of community.
We believe in making the most of childhood and adolescence; we want our young people to leave us intellectually and emotionally prepared for higher education and for work, as well as playing a transformative role inside and outside of school. And we want them to make great friends too.
—Adam Pettitt, Head
Sixth Form
SIXTH FORM
Highgate Sixth Form supports pupils aged 16–18 with a personalised A level programme, complemented by broader enrichment and wellbeing activities that equip them for leading universities and beyond.
Discover Highgate Sixth Form 
Senior School
SENIOR SCHOOL
Highgate Senior School educates pupils aged
11 —16 with rigorous teaching, an incredible
breadth of academic and co-curricular
opportunities, and a nurturing environment that
prepares students for GCSEs and Sixth Form.
Discover Highgate Senior School 
Junior School
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Highgate Junior School for pupils aged 7–11 delivers an innovative curriculum that challenges children to be curious, creative and confident learners while fostering responsibility and social awareness ready for the Senior School.
Discover Highgate Junior School 
Pre-Prep
PRE-PREP
Highgate Pre-Prep welcomes children aged 4–7 to ignite their love of learning alongside exceptional pastoral care; building the foundations of curiosity, inquiry and independence that will last a lifetime.
Discover Highgate Pre-Prep 
Fees & Financial Support
As a charity, we are able to offer financial support towards school fees to eligible families applying to Highgate at 7+, 11+ and 16+. Bursaries can cover up to 100% of the fees throughout a pupil’s education at Highgate, making it more accessible to a wider group of academically able children.
Being a bursary recipient has allowed me to reach new levels and grasp opportunities that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to
Michael, Bursary graduate 2025Highgate News
80%
A Levels graded A*-A in 2025
The school promotes academic development without discrimination
—ISI Inspection Report 2024
31 pupils went to Oxbridge in 2025
Highgate People
Every other year, Geography takes A Level pupils to Iceland. It’s an incredible trip and a chance to get up close with some of the environments and landforms studied in class
Geography teacher
Ms Mynott
A typical day here is full of variety but the most important aspect of my role is the on-going wellbeing and personal development of the pupils. Highgate has a fantastic team supporting each young person on their journey.
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
Ms Smith
I’m passionate about science and it’s truly rewarding to see this same passion ignited in the pupils as they explore the world around them in our exciting and varied science lessons.
Key Stage 2 Teacher
Mr McInnerney
I feel proud to work in a school where children are able to explore their learning in a way that harnesses their curiosity and creativity in a purposeful way, underpinned by rigour so that they can excel.
Deputy Principal
Mrs Poll
‘Our Year 9 Community Days and Year 10 Environment Day let pupils engage with local projects as wide-ranging as soup kitchens, charity shops and outdoor parkland areas.’
Senior Deputy Head
Ms Shelley
‘At Highgate, our approach to pedagogy means we explore and adopt, where appropriate for our School, the most up-to-date methodologies for the most effective teaching that leads to deep learning.’
Assistant Head (Access and Partnerships)
Dr Weston