For 25 years, Highgate Pre-Preparatory School has welcomed around 40 children, aged 3, into our Nursery. From September 2021, entry will change to age 4 (Reception) and an additional class of 20 will join the 40 children progressing from our final 3+ Nursery class. From September 2022, around 60 children will be able to join our Pre-Prep.
Mrs Diane Hecht, Highgate Pre-Prep’s Principal, explains: ‘At present, our 3+ entry pupils attend morning or afternoon sessions, which can be unhelpful for working families who then need additional childcare to cover the rest of the day. Moving to 4+ entry means Highgate will be able to offer a full-day to all our pupils.
‘In moving to 4+ entry, we also welcome an additional class, giving more children a chance to experience a Highgate education. By removing our two Nursery classes, and gradually welcoming an extra class in each subsequent year group, our Pre-Prep will have grown by 20 pupils by 2023. We have planned for this expansion and will be making appropriate changes to our physical space.
‘We are excited to be introducing 4+ entry to Highgate and believe it will be a very positive step for our School, our pupils and our parents.’
Highgate’s last 3+ entry will be in September 2020. If your child is born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017, you can submit your application for a 3+ place between 1 March 2019 and 31 May 2019, with assessments taking place in January 2020.
Highgate’s first 4+ entry will be September 2021. If your child is born after 1 September 2016, you may apply to enter our Pre-Prep in the September after their fourth birthday. For children born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017, this will be September 2021 and 20 places will be available. If your child is born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018, this will be September 2022 and around 60 places will be available.
Highgate’s first 4+ applications (for entry in September 2021) will be accepted in the Michaelmas term preceding entry (ie autumn 2020), with assessments taking place in the January preceding entry. We hope that children undertaking 4+ entry will be readier for assessment than those at 3+ sometimes are. Details of our 4+ assessments are still to be confirmed. It is likely that after shortlisting applicants, if necessary, we will offer first and second round assessments, similar to our current 3+ assessments. Parents will not be interviewed.
Prospective parents should check our website for updated details on timings and to book a tour of our Pre-Prep. Tours are offered on either Monday morning or Wednesday afternoon and fill up fast, so interested parents should book a place in advance!
