8.25am
Registration begins for our Senior School pupils, who are in form groups of up to fifteen. 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.
beyond sound
‘Highgate’s Music Department offers such variety that you can take your music beyond the classroom and in very different directions. In 2019, I was awarded Highgate’s Young Musician of the Year for my cello but I am also lead guitarist in a rock band, with other Highgate friends. I can play the cello at world-class concert venues with Highgate orchestra, then gig with my band at the prestigious Camden Assembly.’
—Aris, Year 11
beyond horizons
Outdoor education helps you go beyond your comfort zone, enjoy the great outdoors, build resilience and understand the importance of teamwork. At Highgate, we run activities in our School grounds, on nearby Hampstead Heath and at our Snowdonia centre, as well as elsewhere in the UK and abroad. Highgate remains Haringey’s biggest Duke of Edinburgh centre.
beyond comparison
‘Highgate’s Sports and Exercise Department provides outstanding support and their innovative High Performance Programme helped me go beyond and improve every element of my game. I now train full-time with women’s football club, London Bees and have received caps for England Independent Schools. I’m proud to be Highgate’s first female football player to reach this level and hope to inspire the next generation of female players.’
—Mathilda, Year 11
beyond words
‘Highgate’s English Department encourages you to love literature and read beyond expected texts for your age. Last year they introduced Highgate 21, a list of books for each year group that showcases great writing from across the centuries. I’m enjoying working my way through these amazing authors, and it helps that our Library is a beautiful place to borrow a book from!’
—Siena, Year 7
Welcome to our Senior School
Highgate Senior School is for pupils
aged 11-18. We have over 1,220 pupils,
from Years 7 to 13.
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
In 2018, we enjoyed record success in its public examinations for both Year 11 and Sixth Form, with results that placed Highgate firmly in the top academic tier of UK independent schools.
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 like our 200-seat auditorium and dedicated recital space, science laboratories, modern language classrooms, and ICT suites. Pupils have lessons in art, design, engineering and technology at our Mills Centre, in Bishopswood Road.
74%
of all Highgate GCSE entries
were graded A* in 2018
(or new numerical equivalent)
620
Highgate pupils take
music lessons each week
230
Highgate pupils took part
in DoE in 2018-19
Highgate People
‘I am one of the editors of our pupil-led creative writing magazine, The Windhover. With help from our writer-in-residence, we publish a magazine each term, with contributions from pupils.’
Y9
Boris
‘I work with staff, pupils and parents to develop strategies to support their wellbeing alongside their personal, academic and professional development. Working with such thoughtful and compassionate pupils is inspiring.’
Director of Wellbeing
Dr Silver
‘I was active with Junior English Society and, in Year 9, started Middle School English Society with my friends! We meet fortnightly to discuss a book with an inspiring teacher.’
Y9
Liv
‘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 (Teaching and Learning)
Dr Weston
‘Highgate’s sports facilities are fantastic and the coaching exceptional. The range of sports offered is so outstanding that I couldn’t pick a favourite, there are too much to choose from!’
Y9
Amani
‘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.’
Deputy Head
Ms Shelley
‘I help organise the individual year trips for Lower School – currently Lille for Year 7 and Northumbria for Year 8 – which are a great experience for each group!’
Lower School Administrator
Miss McCallum
A day in the life of our Senior School
8.45am
Our first lesson of the day begins. Senior School lessons last for fifty minutes, with pupils having six lessons a day.
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.
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.
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.
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