We have around 380 pupils aged 16-18 in our Sixth Form.
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
If you’re interested in entry for 2026 or beyond, please register your details via the button below so we can:
22 Sixth Formers received places
at Cambridge or Oxford in 2024
A choice of 29 subjects are offered at A level
78% of all Year 13 grades
awarded A* or A in 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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