Highgate is delighted to have been selected as a Finalist in the London School of the Year category at the 2025 Independent School of the Year awards.
Since our foundation 460 years ago, Highgate remains rooted in its London community centuries later – harnessing the capital’s world-renowned institutions, cultural and historical landmarks, and leading specialists to enhance our pupils’ learning.
The school musical is produced at the nearby ArtsDepot, providing a hands-on experience of the workings and scale of a professional theatre and our annual music concert at Southwark Cathedral is always a highlight. Every year, Junior School pupils visit the Royal Courts of Justice during anti-bullying week, to take part in a mock trial around cyber bullying.
Sixth Formers collaborate with pupils at our lead partner school, London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), to explore issues together and broaden their perspectives. In 2024-25, Sixth Form pupils from Highgate and LAET took part in a ‘MetGirlz’ project with the Met Police. Pupils proposed initiatives to improve the experience of girls and women in London – including making it mandatory for clubs and bars to offer spiking test kits and a TfL version of the ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative.
In November 2024, Highgate hosted a Mock COP29 for seven local schools, offering a powerful outlet for pupils to connect with other like-minded young people and participate in a wider, global conversation.
Pupils play an active role in their community, at school and beyond. Members of the Environment Committee regularly campaign on the streets around our school to reduce traffic and pollution. Even the youngest get involved: Y4-5 pupils, for example, spent time with Heath Hands in the autumn, learning about local wildlife, raking leaves and clearing nettles.
Pre-Prep and Junior pupils visit local care homes to offer companionship and engage in music and drama activities, and Senior School pupils offer friendly tech advice to residents at Highgate’s ‘Coffee & Computers’ programme. For ‘Year 9 Community Day’, pupils worked as classroom assistants at five local primary schools. At Highgate’s annual ‘Fair in the Square’, a team of 30 Senior School pupils help on the day with set up, litter picking, kids’ activities and clear up. Instilling the idea that small gestures count is key.
