Our Junior School co-curricular programme includes several partnership clubs with local schools.
It has been a pleasure to see these clubs returning after the Covid-hiatus, reuniting children from five participating schools (St. Josephs, Brookfield, St Michael’s, Highgate Primary and Highgate School) to resume their weekly activities of drama, chorus, science, craft, early-morning Maths and reading. A new addition to the timetable this year is the Y5 Vex Robotics Club, which is already proving very popular!
Eloise, Highgate Y5, explains: “I’ve really loved Robotics Club this term because not we not only get to work with the VEX cars, but also meet new friends from Highgate Primary. They are really good at coding!”
Highgate’s connection with the wider community is at the heart of our School ethos. We work with schools in the local area and around London to widen education access and build connections to enhance our community. The Junior School partnerships began over 10 years ago with the inception of the Early Morning Maths Club, which was set up to offer support and enrichment activities for Year 5 pupils.
The partnership scheme subsequently expanded to include Science and Reading, and in recent years – due to high demand and depleting opportunities externally – it has introduced more creative subjects.
Hannah Hughes, teacher at Highgate, explains: “It has been fantastic to witness the pupils from Highgate, St Joseph’s and Brookfield Primary working together in partnership Drama club. The collaboration has inspired the children’s acting skills, creative ideas and boosted their confidence.”
Along with the weekly clubs, there are opportunities for the children to work together towards special events. The Drama Club recently presented an immersive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory performance at the Highgate Junior School Open House event on Thursday 24 March, whilst Chorus Club are working towards the Young Voices performance at the O2 on Thursday 5 May.
Patrick and Eesha, Y6 Highgate, enthused “One of the highlights of Chorus is being able to meet children from other schools. It’s nice to sing with them and work together as a bigger community.”
Ms Collins from St Joseph’s in Highgate, agrees: “Our children have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Highgate and are super excited to be performing together at the O2 Arena.”
Matt Anderson, Assistant Principal (Co-Curricular and Community Partnerships) at Highgate Junior School, concludes: “We are so pleased to have welcomed back our partnership clubs this year. With the return of Chorus and Drama, as well as a new club, VEX Robotics, more and more children are involved in working with other schools in our community. As well as watching friendships develop and grow, it’s a joy to see children learning from each other.”
