From wild meadows and meat free Mondays to Fast Fashion Free February and Walk and Talk to school days (to reduce carbon emissions), Highgate has a strong focus on sustainability. There are numerous opportunities for our pupils to take part in projects that are dedicated to this cause. Our pupil-led Environment Committee hosts regular meeting and events to put the reduction of carbon footprint top of the agenda.
As you move up the school there are more exciting sporting opportunities, from climbing and duke of Edinburgh expeditions to rowing and water polo. In the Senior School we are lucky enough to have our own indoor pool, an all-weather pitch which houses 12 courts for netball, football, hockey and 6 cricket nets! We have 32 specialist sports coaches teaching 22 different sporting pathways, so whether you like fast paced team sports or yoga, we have something for everyone.
Highgate’s Design, Technology and Engineering Department spans throughout the curriculum from KS1-5. All the content of the DTE curriculum is linked to context, the outside world and is interdisciplinary in nature. We help students become creative problem solvers as an individual and as a member of a team, by equipping them with transferable hard and soft skills. All of this is amplified by utilising state of the art workshops, robotic equipment, enrichment outside of the classroom and exclusive industry visits and encouraging both girls and boys to compete in international STEM competitions.
Creative arts are an exciting subject area at Highgate. We run drama at GCSE and A level and offer a series of clubs for those who like to supplement their studies or pursue the stage as a co-curricular interest. From Technical Theatre Club and Theatre Studies Enrichment to Film Society and our annual French play, we have exciting facilities and opportunities for all those who like to perform.
Highgate Senior School is for pupils
aged 11-18. We have over 1,220 pupils,
from Years 7 to 13.
Applications for 2024 entry have now closed.
If you’re interested in joining us in September 2025 or later, please click the button below to leave your details so we can:
Please review our 11+ admissions policy and Criteria for 11+ entry before considering an application.
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.
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.
a rare and magical combination of the high-flying and the humble Good Schools Guide
of GCSE exams
were graded 7-9 in 2023
(A*/A equivalent)
number of music lessons per week
in the Lower School
number of library books borrowed this
academic year
‘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
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