Coronavirus
Latest information and updates
Keeping pupils and staff safe
On Monday 5 March 2021, Highgate School fully re-opened physically for all pupils in line with Government regulation.
Over 150 parents and staff were involved in lateral flow Covid testing of 1,200 Senior pupils leading up to the full opening of School. Read more here.
We understand that this can be an unsettling time for pupils and if anyone requires emotional support, please contact counselling@highgateschool.org.uk
The lessons have brought back a bit of normality and a schedule to my daily life —Benny , Year 13
I've started writing a diary describing what it’s like & it's been very helpful. —Verity, Year 8
I feel very comfortable about returning with the measures in place —Jake, Year 12
My pupils enjoyed mixing chemicals for a practical! So different to listening to me on Zoom —Ms Muhara, Chemistry Teacher
Information for parents
Here is some government guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
The DfE COVID-19 helpline is available to answer questions relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline on 0800 046 8687 from Mon-Fri 8am – 6pm and Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Returning to School in Person
We’re all excited to see the pupils again. There are still lots of measures in place to keep everyone safe, so we need to ask all pupils to please:
- Arrive and finish at their allocated staggered times
- Sanitize hands on arrival, breaks and between lessons
- Undertake an LFD test twice a week and report your results to the School and NHS (Senior School pupils only)
- Respect a 2 meter distance whenever possible
- Choose to wear a face-covering when not able to maintain effective social-distancing (Senior School pupils only)
- Remain in Year Group bubbles
- Wear SpEx uniform on sports days
- Wear ‘Summer’ uniform on non SpEx days
- Bring a snack and water as the tuck shop will be closed
- Remain at home if any Covid symptoms develop
Coming back should lead us to ask what we want to keep as well as put aside. We hope that no other generation will experience a lockdown, but are there things this lockdown has taught us which we won’t need another lockdown to value?
—Adam Pettitt, Head
Community Support
Highgate staff, alumni and parents have been involved in many activities to support members of our community who might be struggling:
- Head Adam Pettitt ran two marathons on separate occasions, with staff and pupils taking part, to raise £150,000+ to buy 300 laptops for state school pupils and provide a weekly support fund for Tottenham families. Read more here
- We opened our sports field for local people to enjoy more outdoor space for daily exercise. Read more here
- A Highgate community coronavirus fund is raising money for LAET families and services in Tottenham. Click here to donate
- We set up a Summer school hosted at Highgate and LAET to help bridge the Covid-19 learning gap for pupils at partner state schools. Read more here
Highgate is here
Highgate is both a school and a charity. We are working to ensure that Highgate has the most positive impact possible on our community during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Email community@highgateschool.org.uk if you would like to
- Volunteer your time, or a resource
- Let us know about projects you are supporting, or about initiatives that need help
All funds will be split between Highgate’s charitable priorities and directed where the need is greatest, including relief for Highgate families in hardship, our sister school the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, and other activities such as our DTE department’s PPE production or donations to local food banks or to support key workers.
Social Media
Keep up-to-date with school life and opportunities to provide support by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
You can also visit our Highgate@Home blog page, where pupils and staff will be sharing regular features on school life during ‘lockdown.’
Press
Any members of the press who would like to get in contact with the school should email communications@highgateschool.org.uk or telephone
020 8347 3598.