Highgate Senior School has over 950 pupils aged from 11-16 in Years 7 to 11
If you’re interested in joining us in September 2026 and beyond, please click the button below to leave your details so we can:
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 is a flourishing co-educational day school in North London. 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.
Highgate School was named London Independent School of the Decade by The Sunday Times Schools Guide for 2021. Most recently, in their 2025 Guide, we were proud to feature in the Top 10 independent schools in London and amongst the Top 20 schools nationally.
of GCSE exams
were graded 7-9 in 2024
(A*/A equivalent)
number of music lessons per week
in the Lower School
number of library books borrowed this
academic year
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.
Our first lesson of the day begins. Senior School lessons last for fifty minutes, with pupils having six lessons a day.
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.
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.
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.
‘I love how inclusive the school is and how many new people you can meet’
Y8
Angelina
‘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
‘The range of co-curricular activities offered at Highgate is phenomenal! There is always an opportunity to experience something new and interesting; I have tried everything from fencing to sewing. Then I discovered the Robotics Club and have been part of it ever since.’
Y10
Maya
‘I love all the fun sports options and all the kind support.’
Y8
Anvar
‘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
‘I really like that there’s lots of variety and opportunity to try different sports, and the amount of training and effort that goes into nurturing those talents.’
Y11
Fernando
Follow the Senior School on Twitter
Highgate Senior
