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Independent Senior School in North London

Highgate Senior School offers a broad and stimulating curriculum for pupils aged 11-16

A thriving North London school

Highgate is a flourishing co-educational day school in North London catering for 950 pupils aged 11-16, between Years 7-11. The focus at Highgate is on harnessing the curiosity and enthusiasm of our pupils through high quality subject excellence and breadth of academic opportunities, enabling every child to realise their unique potential.

Most teaching takes place on our North Road site, in the heart of Highgate Village. Here Victorian buildings, such as our Chapel, Central Hall classrooms and Sir Martin Gilbert Library, sit alongside modern facilities. Pupils have lessons in art, design, engineering and technology at our Mills Centre, in Bishopswood Road, which is nearby the Mallinson Sports Centre and 23 acres of outdoor space and playing fields.

Considering Highgate

If you’re interested in your child joining Highgate Senior School in September 2027 or further ahead, please register your details below and we will send you emails to:

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Students in a classroom setting. - from Highgate School

We want our pupils to enjoy their childhood to the full, to develop and pursue their academic and co-curricular passions, and to lead fulfilling, exciting lives as thoughtful and open-minded young adults.

—Adam Pettitt, Head

Highgate staff and pupil blogs

Classroom

Highgate Senior School offers an ambitious curriculum and fosters high levels of scholarship.

Discover our classroom

Beyond the classroom

Highgate’s extensive programme of co-curricular activities helps pupils to develop skills and hobbies and connect with new friends.

Co-curricular activities

Sport and Exercise

Highgate’s sport and exercise programme builds physical skills whilst boosting confidence and engagement.

Sport at Highgate School

Exam success

Exam Success

Highgate’s Y11 pupils achieve outstanding GCSE results year-on-year, thanks to their hard work and commitment.

Discover Outstanding Results

I joined Highgate in the Pre-Prep and have found the school to be a safe, welcoming and enjoyable place. My three favourite subjects are French, Geography and Physics; they are different and very interesting in unique ways. I get involved with several clubs and societies at Highgate, including early morning football, outdoor education and pop choir. I really enjoy all of them as they are a chance to meet people that have things in common. I love playing football at school, as well as representing Watford Ladies Football Club. I’m also learning to play the piano.

—Emilia, Year 8 Senior School

Highgate is an award-winning school

Highgate School was named Independent School of the Decade by the Sunday Times Schools Guide 2021 and was featured in the Top 20 UK independent secondary schools for academic excellence in their 2026 guide.

95.9%

of GCSE exams
were graded 7-9 in 2025
(A*/A equivalent)

470

number of music lessons per week
in the Senior School

6,700

number of library books borrowed this
academic year

Highgate People

One of my favourite memories from Y8 was the school trip to Lille. Exploring a new culture with friends and trying out our French with the locals was both fun and eye-opening

Y10

Alex

‘At Highgate, our approach to pedagogy means we explore and adopt, where appropriate for our School, the most up-to-date methodologies for the most effective teaching that leads to deep learning.’

Assistant Head (Access and Partnerships)

Dr Weston

I got interested in STEM subjects at the Junior School, especially DTE, computer science and physics. Getting involved in co-curricular clubs like coding and programming also helped develop my interests outside the classroom

Y13

Imogen

Starting at Highgate in Y7 was a big change for me but being placed in a form group really helped. We spent most of the day together, which made it easier to get to know the other pupils and settle in quickly

Luca

‘Our Year 9 Community Days and Year 10 Environment Day let pupils engage with local projects as wide-ranging as soup kitchens, charity shops and outdoor parkland areas.’

Senior Deputy Head

Ms Shelley

A day in the life of our Senior School

8.25am

Senior School pupils gather in form groups for registration. This creates a calm and positive start to the day, with pupils and their form tutor able to catch up and talk about the day, and week, ahead.

Child smiling in a classroom setting - from Highgate School

8.45am

Our first lesson of the day begins. Senior School lessons last for fifty minutes, with pupils having six lessons a day.

Group in art class collaborating - from Highgate School

10.30am

The first break of the day, with activities during this time varying by the day and year group. Pupils spend break with their form, either attending their one weekly religious service, their one year group assembly, their one house assembly or time with their form tutor. Lessons resume at 11.15am.

Students engaged in classroom discussion. - from Highgate School

1pm

Our Senior School pupils take a short walk with friends to our nearby Dining Hall, which serves hot and cold food. There is also time to take part in lunchtime clubs, talks and debates, plus music lessons. Our Years 7 and 8 also have Thursday Lunchtime Activities each week, with options as varied as bee keeping, creative writing, sign language and outdoor education. Our next lesson begins at 2.15pm.

Students walking on a path with backpacks. - from Highgate School

4.15pm

Following two more lessons, school ends and after-school activities, including sport, take place until 5.30pm. On Tuesday afternoons, our Years 9 to 13 are involved in co-curricular activities from 4pm, which range from bicycle maintenance to photography, and include our always popular Duke of Edinburgh Award. Our Library remains open until 6pm for those who wish to study or collect books.

A group playing a ball game indoors. - from Highgate School

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