Awards
Highgate is an award-winning School
The Sunday Times Schools Guide
Highgate School was named Independent School of the Decade by The Sunday Times Schools Guide for 2021. Most recently, in their 2024 Guide, we were proud to feature in the Top 10 independent schools in London and amongst the Top 20 schools nationally.
“Ranking in the top 25 independent schools in the UK for its results in the examination hall, Highgate achieves well for its children. But it also makes a difference for many more children beyond its own gates.”
Alistair McCall, The Sunday Times
Independent School of the Year
2019 and 2020
We were thrilled to celebrate two awards for the overarching title of Independent School of the Year, in November 2019 by ISOTY (Independent School of the Year) and in January 2020, a further respected educational body, TES (Times Educational Supplement).
Independent School of the Year for Contribution to Social Mobility 2019, and shortlisted for 2020
In 2019, we were recognised for the title of Contribution to Social Mobility by our work dedicated to leveraging children out of disadvantaged backgrounds and offering them support, essentially the seeds to sew success and happiness as they move into adulthood. We were delighted to be shortlisted again in 2020!
“Charitable ethos is an inextricable part of our DNA”
“It’s my fervent hope that other independent schools will be able to use this and other models of partnership to build on what we and others have been able to do. I’m absolutely delighted by these awards, and hugely proud. We are a school whose charitable ethos is an inextricable part of both staff and pupil DNA. Highgate is changing the lives of young people; we are part of a transformative solution to social inequality which provides a model for future relations.” – Head Adam Pettitt
“What they have done for disadvantaged pupils, is unbelievable” – TES Judge
TES Judges praised Highgate as a place that “provides a broad and creative curriculum for every subject area and within every year group. In pre-prep, children regard school as a safe, happy and exciting place. In juniors, the state- of-the-art building provides a nurturing and friendly environment that encourages academic excellence and personal development. In the senior school, Year 11s enjoyed record success last year in public exams, with results that placed Highgate in the top academic tier of UK independent schools, while the sixth form also enjoyed record exam success in 2019.
Careers and Employability Excellence
In August 2020, Highgate won Careers and Employability Programme of 2020-21 from Rate My Apprenticeship Awards. Read more on how our pupils benefit from the programme here.
Pearson Lifetime Achievement Award
In August 2020, legendary Chemist Dr Andrew Szydlo was recognised for 47 years of sharing a passion for Science inside and outside of the classroom. A key member of Highgate’s partnership programme, Sr Szydlo teaches at state schools throughout London and each year, performs his theatrical science show, ‘As If By Magic’ in over 100 schools to over 25,000 children. Dr Szydlo is also infamous for his Bee Keeping Society, Automobile Club and compelling wizard-like chemistry experiments. He is adored by generations of pupils and staff alike.
