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Independent Sixth Form in North London

Highgate Sixth Form offers a wide range of subjects, promoting independent study for pupils aged 16-18

Inspiring independent thinkers

Highgate is a flourishing co-educational day school in North London, with a Sixth Form cohort of around 380 pupils aged 16-18 in Years 12 and 13. Studying at Highgate Sixth Form provides solid foundations for the next stages of life – from developing academic independence and supporting university applications to careers advice for a rapidly changing world.

Small classes enable pupils to discuss and debate issues with greater freedom, alongside more time working independently. In Year 12, the extension programme gives an insight into undergraduate style work, extending pupils’ studies far beyond the A level syllabuses. Pupils are encouraged to take advantage of the extensive co-curricular programme, as well as contributing positively to the community.

View our Sixth Form Prospectus 2027

Considering Highgate

If you’re interested in a place at Highgate Sixth Form starting in September 2027 or further ahead, please register your details below and we will send you emails to:

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Group of people holding papers outside a building. - from Highgate School

Around each pupil there is a pastoral team: tutors, Heads of House or Year, counsellors, the Pupil Wellbeing department and Heads of Section. We all work together to create the best possible environment to support young people and enable them to flourish.

—Verity Smith, Head of Sixth Form (Pastoral)

Highgate staff and pupil blogs

Sixth Form classroom

Classroom

Highgate Sixth Form provides a breadth of study alongside scholarly independence.

Discover our classroom

Beyond the classroom

Sixth Formers benefit from an extensive co-curricular programme, as well as acting as pupil leaders in the school community.

Co-curricular activities

Exam success

Exam Success

Highgate’s Y13 pupils achieve outstanding A level results year-on-year, and the majority go on to top universities in the UK and abroad.

Discover outstanding results

Higher education and careers

Higher Education and Careers

Highgate pupils receive advice and support in their university applications as well as relevant and useful careers guidance.

Explore Higher Education and Careers

I joined Highgate in Year 3 and think of the school community as a diverse mix of people from a range of backgrounds. I’m thankful to be at a co-educational school, the mix of boys and girls not only prepares you for life socially but provides a far more interesting friendship dynamic. Being one of the Head Pupils, some of my time is spent in meetings surrounding issues and events within the school but during my free time I’ll attend Geography or Masaryk Society.

—Henry, Sixth Form

Q&A with Henry

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.

Sixth Formers received offers
for Cambridge or Oxford in 2026

A choice of 28 subjects are offered at A level

80% of all grades
awarded A* or A in 2025

Highgate People

Since joining in Year 7, the school has allowed me to find the perfect balance between my academic subjects and other interests. Teachers make sure students enjoy each lesson but there is also the wide range of pupil-run societies, most of which have a direct relation to a subject in the curriculum.

Y12

Joe

Despite joining Highgate late for sixth form, pupils and staff have made me feel welcome, so much so that it feels as if I have been at Highgate forever. I’ve really enjoyed exploring and discovering the extensive range of co-curricular programmes on offer here.

Y12

Ayushi

A typical day here is full of variety but the most important aspect of my role is the on-going wellbeing and personal development of the pupils. Highgate has a fantastic team supporting each young person on their journey.

Deputy Head (Pastoral)

Ms Smith

I would encourage students to relish the chance to study at Highgate. The school provides you with incredibly unique opportunities which helps to advance your progression, not only as a student, but as a person.

Y12

Michael

‘Our jazz ensembles play annually at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in SoHo. As interest in jazz grows, we have even more bands and pupils learning from our jazz specialist staff.’

Head of Jazz

Mr Canniere

Every other year, Geography takes A Level pupils to Iceland. It’s an incredible trip and a chance to get up close with some of the environments and landforms studied in class

Geography teacher

Ms Mynott

I’ve joined as many societies as I could because I love the debating. I would definitely recommend trying some out because there is something for everyone.

Y12

Nio

View our Sixth Form Prospectus 2027

A day in the life of our Sixth Form

8.25am

Registration with your tutor. You have daily contact time with your tutor who provides helpful advice on your work and life at Highgate. Your tutor will monitor your academic progress and provide guidance on looking ahead to higher education and careers.

8.45am

Your first lesson of the day begins. When starting in our Sixth Form, you take four academic subjects and your timetable will also include PSHE, critical method, and sport and exercise periods. You will have 12 lessons per fortnight allocated to each academic subject. Each lesson lasts 50 minutes, with a five-minute changeover between lessons.

10.30am

The first break of the day. You will have two tutor slots, one year group assembly, one house meeting, and one religious assembly per week. In the other half of your breaktime slot, you will have the opportunity to relax with your peers in one of our Sixth Form common rooms, go into Highgate Village, or catch up on some work in the Library.

11.15am

Lessons resume. In Year 12, you will have three to four periods of private study each fortnight. During these periods, you work unsupervised, so you need to be self-motivated! You can also make use of our common rooms, reading room and Sixth Form study space in our Library.

1pm

You can take a short walk with friends to our nearby Dining Hall, which serves a range of hot and cold food. There is also time for lunchtime clubs, talks and debates, plus music lessons and rehearsals. From January in Year 12, departments begin extensive classes and all Sixth Formers are expected to attend at least one per week to help with preparation for future study at university.

2.15pm

Your next lesson begins. For Year 12, this could include our one-year Critical Methods course or in Year 13, this could include our one-term course in Critical Independence. On Wednesday afternoons, you’ll take one of many options in sport and exercise.

Netball game, mixed-gender teams, outdoor court - from Highgate School

4.15pm

After two more lessons, school ends and after-school activities take place until 5.30pm on certain days. Our Library remains open until 6pm if Sixth Formers wish to study or collect books.

Highgate staff and pupil blogs

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