‘Physics at Highgate lets us practice authentic scientific research, outside of our A level curriculum. With other sixth formers, I have analysed data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system, investigating the effects of the Earth’s shadow on the measured intensity of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections, using magnetic flux readings converted to audio files.’
—Eleanor, Year 12
‘Highgate’s Sports and Exercise Department helped me meet and go beyond every age group opportunity for a youth athlete. With their support, I am now signed with professional netball squad, London Pulse. For me, it is the equivalent of joining a Premier League football team, since I play netball with, and against, the UK’s best.’
—Kira, Year 13
‘Studying Interdisciplinary Design and Fine Art in Highgate Sixth Form opened my eyes to creative career paths beyond Highgate which I never thought were possible. Getting an offer to study fashion at Central St Martin’s has been life changing for me.‘
—Harry, Year 13
Highgate Sixth Form is for pupils
aged 16-18. We have over 350 studying in Years 12 and 13.
25 sixth formers took up places
at Cambridge or Oxford in 2019
77 clubs and societies to
enhance your co-curricular life at Highgate
76% of all Year 13 grades
awarded A* or A in 2019
Highgate Sixth Form offers A level and Pre-U options to around 350 sixth formers. Our small class sizes and opportunities to go beyond the syllabus allow you to build your knowledge and study skills. We provide extensive support for future academic endeavours and careers, plus numerous ways to gain responsibility and independence through various leadership opportunities.
In 2018-19, we enjoyed record success in our public examinations for both Year 11 and Sixth Form, with results that placed Highgate firmly in the top academic tier of UK independent schools.
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.
Lessons in art, design, engineering and technology take place at our Mills Centre, in Bishopswood Road. Nearby you also find our School’s sports facilities.
‘I joined Highgate as a sixth former and have been consistently impressed with the Biology Department. Teachers push topics beyond the curriculum and there are many opportunities for practical research.’
Y12
Joselyn
‘My Department is comprised of supportive teachers who help pupils become the best mathematicians they can be. Our success shows in our uptake, Highgate’s most popular A level is Mathematics!’
Head of Mathematics
Mr Wright
‘As A level History of Art was new for all of us, we first learnt general techniques and looked at pieces in practical lessons or on trips, to build visual analysis skills.’
Y12
Tabitha
‘Every other year, my Department takes GCSE pupils to Iceland. It’s an incredible trip and chance to get up close with some of the environments and landforms studied in class.‘
Geography teacher
Ms Mynott
‘Following a thorough application process, I was awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. This prestigious award meant I was matched with an industry mentor, a project manager at Google DeepMind!‘
Y12
Vivika
‘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
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 our 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 our 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 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 take a short walk with friends to our nearby Dining Hall, which serves 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 course Critical Methods while, for Year 13, this could include our one-term course in Critical Independence. On Wednesday afternoons, you are in one of our many options for 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.
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