Classroom

Highgate believes art is for everyone and through enabling creativity, pupils learn about themselves, the world around them and gain important life-skills. Art is taught in form groups up to Year 8, and in smaller groups from Year 9, with the option to study GCSE Art from Year 10.

Highgate’s Classics Department teaches Ancient History, Classical Civilisation, Classical Greek and Latin in Years 7 to 13. We offer a wide-ranging scholarship on the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome, exploring these cultures through the study of literature in translation, history, mythology, art and archaeology.

Highgate’s Computing Department equips pupils for the technological innovations of the future. Our teaching develops the skills and understanding of computing, together with the practical experience of solving problems using computer algorithms.

Our Design Technology and Engineering Department prepares pupils for participation in the rapidly changing technological world. This dynamic and evolving subject applies learning with real-life situations, developing pupils’ design and thinking skills to create solutions for the future.

Drama is an exciting, creative and challenging subject that requires enthusiasm, self-discipline, commitment, and an ability to work as a team. From Year 7 to 9, pupils have a Drama lesson once a week, with the option to study for GCSE and A Level. Pupils have regular opportunities to perform in various school productions and visit live theatre, as well as take part in workshops and hear from actors, directors and theatre makers.

Highgate Economics Department offers a pacey and scholarly A Level that exposes our sixth formers to the subject’s core technical models. We teach Economics from first principles, ensuring students gain a deep understanding of the building blocks of the subject, drawing broadly on current affairs to develop applications, and seeking out interesting materials from popular and academic publications.

Highgate’s English Department aims to develop an enduring engagement with, and enthusiasm for the subject, with all pupils studying English Language and English Literature as part of our core curriculum up to Year 11. Our school has a distinguished literary tradition – the poets Nicholas Rowe (Laureate 1715-18), Gerard Manley Hopkins and Sir John Betjeman were all educated here.

Highgate’s Geography Department focuses on 21st century global challenges, in order to prepare for an ever-changing world. There has never been a more relevant time to study Geography, with growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion.

Highgate’s History Department introduces pupils to historical debates, spanning topics from Medieval Europe to the Black civil rights movement. We study History for the pure enjoyment of finding out how people have experienced the world around them in the past. The subject is taught to all pupils from Year 7 to 9 with the aim of making the learning experience both engaging and challenging.

History of Art is offered as a non-examined course in Year 11 and as an A Level option from Year 12 in our Sixth Form. Our History of Art Department examines the subject through a global lens that spans works of art and architecture from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia.

Highgate’s Mathematics Department strives to ensure every one of our pupils becomes the best mathematician they can be. All pupils study Mathematics as part of the core curriculum, culminating in the GCSE exam in Year 11 and further study at A Level. We are proud of our pupils’ success rate and in helping those who find it difficult to develop confidence in the subject, or to achieve strong examination results.

French, German, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish

Highgate’s Modern Languages Department ensure language learning is fun and interactive, equipping pupils with the lifelong skills to become successful linguists. French is taught to all pupils from Year 7, and from Year 8 they take a carousel of German, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish. Learning a language is an exercise in global citizenship and studying one or more, serves to open up a plethora of future opportunities for employment in a majority of sectors.

Highgate believes that everyone is capable of being a musician and our Music Department offers an aspirational and creative environment that is open to all. We teach pupils from Year 7 to 9, with options for GCSE and A Level Music courses. Pupils develop knowledge and skills through study, creation and performance across a range of musical instruments, styles and genres.

Our Politics Department encourages interest and engagement in the fast changing and unpredictable world of politics. Taught as an A Level subject in our Sixth Form, Politics not only adds considerably to a knowledge of current affairs but also develops analysis and evaluation skills, and experience in presenting arguments logically and persuasively.

Highgate’s Science Department covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics – all are taught as part of a general science course in Year 7 form groups. From Year 8, pupils take separate subject lessons and will follow all three courses as part of the core curriculum until GCSE in Year 11, and A Level options in our Sixth Form.

Highgate’s Theology and Philosophy Department draws upon thousands of years of philosophical and theological thought – from Plato to Marx – to stimulate and guide our thinking. The subject is offered as a GCSE option from Year 10 and as two A Level courses – Philosophy and Theology and Philosophy.