Co-curricular activities provide space for personal interests and character development.
Our programme of co-curricular activities provides countless opportunities to have fun, make new friends, and learn beyond the classroom. By immersing yourself in Highgate life, in its fullest sense, we hope you will be able to:
We are exceptionally fortunate when it comes to sport at Highgate with extensive facilities, highly qualified staff and a wide range of sporting pathways available to all. You will have at least one afternoon per week dedicated to sport and exercise, and there are further training sessions if you represent our school in one of our many teams.
Across Highgate, we aim to inspire you to study and to work creatively. This goes beyond the classroom, with exciting co-curricular opportunities in all of the creative arts – music, drama, and art.
We provide an extensive careers programme and preparation for university applications both in the UK and abroad (eg USA and Canada). You will be assigned a higher education mentor, who will be able to advise you on your pathway.
At Highgate, our co-curricular offering continues to evolve and develop in response to the changing needs of our students and the world around us.
FIELDWORK, VISITS AND TRIPS
Fieldwork, educational visits and trips form an integral part of school life, offering unique experiences throughout the year. Whether it’s participating in a Duke of Edinburgh scheme trip to our cottage in Wales, or visiting Europe to practice language skills or going on a Sports Tour, Highgate’s educational visits programme has something for everyone. And, with all that London has to offer on our doorstep, our curriculum is further enriched by visits to historic sites, galleries, museums, performances, talks and lectures.
Recent trips and visits include:
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Highgate offers a cycle of concerts,
recitals and drama performances during the year
involving over 500 pupils of all ages.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Outdoor education is thriving at Highgate. A huge number of sixth formers and staff are involved in our programme which has, at its heart, a number of core aims: to support the personal development journey of the individual; to promote fun and adventure; to recognise the value of being outside and engaging with the natural world; and to enjoy the associated benefits for physical and mental health.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Highgate activities, clubs and societies ensure all pupils try something different, build new skills and make new friends. By Year 12 and 13, students may well be leading one of our clubs or societies – either an established one or one that they’ve founded.
For Sixth Formers, our clubs and societies fall under the following two categories:
Friday Lunchtime Activities (FLA)
These are compulsory for Years 9 and 10, but optional for the sixth form. We encourage pupils from a mixture of age groups to attend.
Clubs and societies
These can be enjoyed on an ad hoc basis, so that several can be visited over the course of the school year. There is no obligation to attend on a regular basis, but invariably pupils find one(s) they like and decide to commit to frequent attendance.
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Highgate has over 100 clubs and societies and growing!
CCF
CCF develops leadership and offers a varied package of training plus adventurous pursuits like climbing, kayaking, abseiling, walking and caving. Highgate’s CCF is run by our older pupils and sixth formers, who hold non-commissioned officer ranks, and School staff, with some assistance from the army.
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD
The Duke of Edinburgh award is internationally recognised and highly respected. It aims to help young people develop a range of skills such as teamwork, resilience and giving something back to the community. In 2024, over 270 Highgate pupils were involved across Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. The DofE award involves volunteering, a physical activity and a skill for a defined period of time going from three months to one year, depending on the level.
As well as this, pupils must complete a challenging camping expedition where they learn to be self-sufficient and trek independently. Our destinations include Snowdonia, The Lake District, The Peak District, The Brecon Beacons and The Chilterns.
270
Number of pupils in DofE scheme in 2024
ENRICHMENT CLASSES
Over the course of our Sixth Form, you will aim to develop a particular interest in one or two subjects which you hope to pursue at university. To support this, our departments begin enrichment classes in January of Year 12, and you are expected to attend at least one class a week. Our enrichment classes are aimed at extending subject knowledge and skills beyond your A level syllabuses.
Enrichment classes are offered not only in subjects studied as part of the curriculum but also options like engineering, medicine, psychology, finance, and archaeology.
PUPIL VOICE
All our sixth formers play an active role in shaping our School community and we greatly value your ideas and input. A sample of popular groups to join:
Sixth Form Council – Representatives from the different houses meet regularly to discuss their ideas for improving our School and making a positive difference
Environment Committee – This impassioned group is committed to helping our School drive through important sustainability initiatives
Charity and Community Action Committee – This group is committed to raising the profile of community engagement and to raising funds for our pupil-nominated charities
Highgate Her Way – Over 50 pupils have joined the campaign to promote open discussions around puberty and support their peers
